Control over the procedures for employing foreign citizens in Russia has been tightened. Regulatory authorities are requiring companies to notify them about the hiring of foreign staff in accordance with established procedures. Even in cases where no formal employment contract is signed, the employer is still obligated to notify the relevant authorities.
In 2025, the number of court cases related to these violations has increased tenfold. Inspections have become particularly active in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, as well as the Moscow and Leningrad regions. Experts note that data exchange between the Russian Labor Inspectorate, the Federal Tax Service, and the Prosecutor's Office has made it easier to identify cases of illegal employment.
Companies that violate these rules are subject to heavy fines. For each illegally hired employee, the fine ranges from 400,000 to 800,000 rubles, and in some regions, it can reach up to 1 million rubles. Furthermore, the operations of a violating enterprise can be suspended for up to 90 days.
It should be recalled that starting from July of this year, requirements for the financial support of foreign citizens have also been tightened. Migrants are now required to prove that their income is no less than the regional subsistence minimum.
