More than 600 Tajik students expelled from Russian universities

In 2025, more than 600 Tajik students were expelled from higher education institutions in Russia, Tajikistan’s Deputy Minister of Education and Science Lutfiya Abdulkholiqzoda said at a press conference on January 30.

According to Abdulkholiqzoda, the expelled students were transferred to higher education institutions in Tajikistan to continue their studies.

She also noted that solutions had been found in cooperation with Russian authorities regarding students who were denied entry to Russia due to the tightening of migration policies over the past two years. The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Tajikistan–Russia intergovernmental commission with the participation of representatives from all relevant agencies.

“Following the meeting, information was presented on students who were deported from Russian airports and later expelled from universities. As a result, 730 students expelled over the past two years received invitations to resume their studies at Russian higher education institutions,” she said.

It is worth noting that earlier reports indicated that by early 2026, the number of foreign citizens residing in Russia had declined to 5.7 million.