The legal status of foreign workers in Russia is regulated by the Labor Code of the Russian Federation (LC RF) and Federal Law No. 115-FZ. The general rule, enshrined in Article 327.1 of the LC RF, states that the same labor laws apply to foreigners as to Russian citizens. Exceptions are possible only in cases expressly established by federal laws or international treaties.
The main distinction in a worker's status depends on their migration status. The law distinguishes three categories: temporary residents (those with only a migration card and a patent), temporary residents (those with a temporary residence permit), and permanent residents (those with a permanent residence permit).
To legally be employed, a foreigner must provide the employer with a standard set of documents: a passport, SNILS (if available), and an educational document (with a notarized translation and legalization for countries outside the CIS). A key difference is the requirement for health insurance: temporary residents are required to have a valid voluntary health insurance policy.
Federal Law No. 121-FZ entered into force on September 1, 2025, launching an experiment to simplify labor migration. Foreigners with a patent can now work in two regions simultaneously. Currently, this change only applies to the Moscow-Moscow Region and St. Petersburg-Leningrad Region metropolitan areas.
Significant changes have also occurred in the grounds for dismissal. Federal Law No. 419-FZ, which amended Article 327.6 of the Russian Labor Code, came into force on March 1, 2026. Employers are now obligated to dismiss foreign employees if they need to bring the number of migrants into compliance with new regional restrictions or quotas.
Since February 5, 2025, a special deportation regime has been in effect in Russia. In connection with this, Presidential Decree No. 1126 provided legalization opportunities for those who had lost their documents. Until September 11, 2025, such foreigners could sign an employment contract and restore their status. This option is no longer available, and it is crucial for employers to check potential employees through the "Register of Controlled Persons" on the Ministry of Internal Affairs website. Hiring illegal immigrants carries significant fines: up to 1 million rubles for legal entities (in Moscow and the surrounding region) and up to 50,000 rubles for officials.
The main distinction in a worker's status depends on their migration status. The law distinguishes three categories: temporary residents (those with only a migration card and a patent), temporary residents (those with a temporary residence permit), and permanent residents (those with a permanent residence permit).
To legally be employed, a foreigner must provide the employer with a standard set of documents: a passport, SNILS (if available), and an educational document (with a notarized translation and legalization for countries outside the CIS). A key difference is the requirement for health insurance: temporary residents are required to have a valid voluntary health insurance policy.
Federal Law No. 121-FZ entered into force on September 1, 2025, launching an experiment to simplify labor migration. Foreigners with a patent can now work in two regions simultaneously. Currently, this change only applies to the Moscow-Moscow Region and St. Petersburg-Leningrad Region metropolitan areas.
Significant changes have also occurred in the grounds for dismissal. Federal Law No. 419-FZ, which amended Article 327.6 of the Russian Labor Code, came into force on March 1, 2026. Employers are now obligated to dismiss foreign employees if they need to bring the number of migrants into compliance with new regional restrictions or quotas.
Since February 5, 2025, a special deportation regime has been in effect in Russia. In connection with this, Presidential Decree No. 1126 provided legalization opportunities for those who had lost their documents. Until September 11, 2025, such foreigners could sign an employment contract and restore their status. This option is no longer available, and it is crucial for employers to check potential employees through the "Register of Controlled Persons" on the Ministry of Internal Affairs website. Hiring illegal immigrants carries significant fines: up to 1 million rubles for legal entities (in Moscow and the surrounding region) and up to 50,000 rubles for officials.
