Restrictions on hiring foreign workers under patents in Russian regions have exacerbated labor shortages in construction, agriculture, trade, catering, logistics, and housing and communal services. According to the Central Bank of Russia, the level of labor resource availability at a number of enterprises in the country deteriorated in July and August.
According to statistical data, the shortage of personnel is particularly noticeable in certain regions. In particular, as of July 2026, the demand for workers in the Altai Republic increased by more than 2.5 times over the year, reaching 3.9 thousand people. In the Kurgan region, this figure grew by 1.5 times to 10.8 thousand, and in the Zabaykalsky Krai, it increased by a third, reaching 14.3 thousand people.
According to the Russian Interior Ministry, the number of patents issued to foreigners in January-August of the current year decreased by a quarter compared to the same period last year, amounting to approximately 1.39 million. Experts believe that this situation may lead to an increase in business costs and affect the price of services, as the possibilities for fully replacing foreign workers in the short term are limited.
This situation highlights the importance of considering regional requirements and restrictions when migrants are looking for work. It is expected that the strategies chosen by employers in the face of labor shortages and changes in the labor market will directly affect the employment opportunities for migrants.
