Putin approves Russia’s four-year migration policy concept

Russia’s migration policy plan for the next four years, covering 2026–2030, has been approved. President Vladimir Putin signed the corresponding decree, which has been published on the official website for legal acts.

’’The additional concept of Russia’s state migration policy for 2026–2030 shall be approved,’’ the document stated.

According to the concept, the number of migrants coming to Russia for work is expected to continue increasing until 2030 due to the demand for foreign labor. The document also notes that new challenges and threats to national security require improvements to migration policy. Measures aimed at increasing employer responsibility regarding migration issues in Russia are deemed necessary.

The main expected outcomes of the policy include:

• Reducing the number of illegal migrants;
• Lowering the incidence of crimes committed by foreign citizens, including minors;
• Decreasing the share of migrants working illegally in Russia;
• Reducing the number of migrant children not attending educational institutions;
• Increasing the proportion of foreign students enrolled in Russian higher education institutions;
• Raising the number of migrants hired through targeted programs;
• Increasing the share of foreign citizens moving to Russia for permanent residence who uphold traditional Russian values.

Earlier, on October 13, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin reported that since February 5, 2025, when the registry of illegal migrants became operational, approximately 35,000 individuals who violated migration laws have been expelled from Russia.

As of September 1, 770,000 migrants were living illegally in Russia, according to the controlled persons registry. About one-third of them are women and children.

Starting from September 11, illegal migrants have been prohibited from registering marriages and divorces, enrolling children in kindergartens and schools, obtaining driver’s licenses, operating vehicles, and opening bank accounts.