The influence of foreign specialists on the economic development of the Altai Territory
The Snezhny Lotus recruiting agency continues to provide insights into the labor market situation in Russia's regions. Today, we'll discuss the role of foreign specialists in the economy of the Altai Krai, a region with strong industrial and agricultural potential where the labor shortage is particularly acute.
Facts and Figures: Who Works in the Region
Currently, approximately 12,000–12,500 foreign citizens work in the Altai Krai. This represents no more than 1% of the region's total workforce, which is approximately 1.1–1.15 million people. The vast majority of visiting specialists are citizens of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, arriving visa-free and holding work permits.
However, recent years have seen a new trend: Altai enterprises are increasingly looking to foreign countries. In 2025, 532 foreigners from visa-required countries were eligible to work in the region under the approved quota. Of these, 410 were citizens of India, 97 were citizens of China, and the rest were from Vietnam and Thailand.
Where Foreigners Work: Main Employment Sectors
The foreign labor force in Altai Krai is concentrated in several key sectors:
Industry Number of Employees Construction: 1,600 people Retail: 800 people Manufacturing: 700 people Foodservice: 600 people Agriculture: 300 people Employment: 6,000 people
Data for 2023
Successful Experience: Indian Seamstresses at Altai Enterprises
The most striking example of the successful integration of foreign specialists into the regional economy is Indian seamstresses. Since 2022, the region's light industry companies have been actively recruiting workers from India, and this experience has been recognized as successful.
The Barnaul garment factory "BTK-Group" currently employs several hundred Indians, fulfilling large government contracts. Factory management notes that the Indian workers are highly motivated, conscientious, and capable of delivering the required quality products.
Tonar, a company specializing in hunting, fishing, and tourism products, has also hired 32 Indians. Director Vyacheslav Krymov emphasizes that productivity is truly improving thanks to the Indian workers.
"Indian seamstresses—all men—come here to earn money and provide for their families. They don't have the habit of sitting around or taking smoke breaks—they fulfill two quotas where local seamstresses are content with one," the director explains.
Their salaries are comparable to local workers—around 55,000 rubles, depending on their output, which is three times higher than what they could earn in their home countries. The employer also covers travel expenses, accommodations, paperwork, and medical care.
The problem foreigners solve: a labor shortage
Why are Altai employers turning to foreign labor? The answer is simple: there is a severe labor shortage in virtually every sector of the region's economy.
People, and not all vacancies can be filled by local applicants. The problem is particularly acute in blue-collar jobs—those that require hands-on skills, not a diploma.
As Nadezhda Kapura, Head of the Altai Krai Department of Labor and Employment, notes, the authorities' task is to ensure a balance between the interests of local residents and the incoming workforce. And so far, this balance has been maintained: the share of foreigners does not exceed 1%, meaning there is no talk of serious competition with Russian citizens.
Restrictions: Where Foreigners Are Not Allowed to Work
It's important to understand that access to the Altai Krai labor market for foreign specialists is not unlimited. Governor Viktor Tomenko extended the ban on hiring foreign nationals working under patents in 11 sectors until 2026:
Forestry and logging Baby food and dietary product manufacturing Medicine and medical supplies manufacturing Retail sale of alcohol and tobacco Passenger taxis and car rentals with driver Hotel business Education Healthcare Daycare
These measures have been taken to ensure national security and prioritize the employment of Russian citizens.
What contribution do foreign specialists make?
To summarize, it is safe to say that foreign specialists play an important, but strictly measured, role in the Altai Krai economy. They:
1. They fill labor shortages where local workers are objectively insufficient—primarily in industry and construction. 2. They increase productivity in enterprises that require high motivation and discipline (as demonstrated by the example of Indian seamstresses). 3. They facilitate the development of industries without posing a threat to local employment (their share is only 1%).
4. They replenish the budget through taxes and patent payments – starting in 2026, the cost of a patent in the region will be 8,241 rubles.
At the same time, authorities consistently restrict foreigners' access to socially significant sectors – healthcare, education, and taxis – in order to protect the interests of Russian citizens. --- Snezhny Lotus closely monitors the regional labor market. We help employers find qualified specialists from Asia and India, fully complying with legislation and quota restrictions. If your business needs reliable personnel, contact us; we know how to solve this problem effectively and legally.