Russia seeks to tighten control with registration fees for migrants

The Russian government has approved a draft bill proposing the introduction of a state duty for the registration of foreign citizens at their place of stay, a source within the Cabinet of Ministers said.

The bill also envisages an increase in the state duty fee for registering foreign nationals at their place of residence, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

These measures aim to enhance control over the presence of foreigners in Russia, many of whom remain in the country illegally, while enabling government agencies to recover costs related to registration and patent issuance.

Currently, foreign workers holding a patent—which serves as a legal basis for residence and employment in Russia—are exempt from state duties. This exemption has created disparities, as work permits, required for foreigners entering on a visa, have long been subject to fees. The government argues that issuing a patent is a process comparable to that of document issuance for Russian citizens, which traditionally involves state duties.

By aligning the fee structure between work permits and patents, the proposed legislation seeks to level the playing field among different categories of migrants. Additionally, officials anticipate that reinstating state fees will incentivize foreign nationals to maintain responsibility over their documentation and observe validity periods more diligently.

By Vafa Guliyeva