Migrants in Russia face new fines: what changed on November 3?
According to statistics, labor migrants from Central Asian countries make up the largest foreign workforce in Russia. Yet foreigners who come here often get confused by the required paperwork: applications, fees, work permits. This is compounded by the fact that Russian authorities change the rules for foreign workers quite frequently, making it necessary to keep track of every new development to avoid fines or even deportation.
To provide legal assistance to newcomers, a website called MigraForma appeared online some time ago. It offers detailed information on regulations, downloadable application forms, and more. The founder of the MigraForma service, Gleb Ryvkin, told Fergana about this useful web resource and the latest changes in migration legislation.
— What will change in migration legislation starting November 3, and how will it affect foreigners and host parties?
— Starting November 3, Federal Law No. 294-FZ of August 4, 2026, comes into force. It amends the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation but does not require any new documents from people. What does change, however, is the level of liability.
First, the list of offenses for which a foreigner can be expelled from Russia has grown significantly: from 22 to 45 articles.
Added to the list are, for example, petty hooliganism, violations of rules governing public gatherings, and the display of prohibited symbols.
Second, fines have increased. For violating the terms of stay — Article 18.8 — the fine is now 4,000–7,000 rubles (49 $–86) instead of 2,000–5,000 (25 $–61), while in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow Oblast, and Leningrad Oblast the penalties will rise to 7,000–9,000 rubles (86 $–111).
The fine for illegal employment is also 4,000–7,000 rubles. In the cities and regions listed above it will be 7,000–9,000 rubles, and administrative expulsion is mandatory there.
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To provide legal assistance to newcomers, a website called MigraForma appeared online some time ago. It offers detailed information on regulations, downloadable application forms, and more. The founder of the MigraForma service, Gleb Ryvkin, told Fergana about this useful web resource and the latest changes in migration legislation.
— What will change in migration legislation starting November 3, and how will it affect foreigners and host parties?
— Starting November 3, Federal Law No. 294-FZ of August 4, 2026, comes into force. It amends the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation but does not require any new documents from people. What does change, however, is the level of liability.
First, the list of offenses for which a foreigner can be expelled from Russia has grown significantly: from 22 to 45 articles.
Added to the list are, for example, petty hooliganism, violations of rules governing public gatherings, and the display of prohibited symbols.
Second, fines have increased. For violating the terms of stay — Article 18.8 — the fine is now 4,000–7,000 rubles (49 $–86) instead of 2,000–5,000 (25 $–61), while in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow Oblast, and Leningrad Oblast the penalties will rise to 7,000–9,000 rubles (86 $–111).
The fine for illegal employment is also 4,000–7,000 rubles. In the cities and regions listed above it will be 7,000–9,000 rubles, and administrative expulsion is mandatory there.
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It has also become more costly for host parties to deal with newcomers. An individual faces a fine of 4,000–7,000 rubles for illegally hiring a foreign worker, an official faces 25,000–50,000 rubles (309 $–617), and an organization faces 250,000 (3,087 $) to 800,000 rubles (9,879 $) or a suspension of operations for up to 90 days.
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