The Governor of the Moscow Region, Andrey Vorobyov, has signed a decree that, starting January 2026, will prohibit foreign citizens with work patents fr om working in a number of key sectors. This step is aimed at regulating the labor market and will affect thousands of businesses and private entrepreneurs in the region.
The following sectors in the Moscow Region are now completely off-limits for migrant workers with patents:
- Retail: Sale of alcohol and tobacco in specialized stores.
- Food Service: All types of establishments, from cafes and restaurants to mobile outlets (food trucks, kiosks selling ice cream and baked goods).
- Social Sector: Institutions of education, healthcare, and social services.
- Service and Leisure Sector: Organizations operating in the fields of culture, sports, and entertainment.
Employers have been given a deadline until January 1, 2026, to dismiss all foreign employees with patents who are engaged in these sectors, in accordance with the Russia's Labor Code. The document has been officially published on the portal of the Moscow Region Government.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: What is the exact date the ban on hiring migrants in a number of sectors in the Moscow Region comes into effect?
A: The ban officially comes into force on January 1, 2026.
Q2: Which specific professions and sectors are covered by the ban?
A: The ban covers: retail sale of alcohol and tobacco, the entire food service sector (including food trucks and kiosks), as well as education, healthcare, social services, culture, and sports.
Q3: Does this ban apply to all foreigners or only those working with a patent?
A: The ban applies specifically to foreign workers engaged in labor activities on the basis of a patent. It does not apply to other types of employment for foreign citizens (for example, highly qualified specialists).
Q4: What should an employer do if they have migrants working in these sectors?
A: The employer is obliged to terminate employment relations with such employees by January 1, 2026, in accordance with the norms of the Russia's Labor Code.
Q5: Wh ere can I find the official text of this law?
A: The official text of the decree is published on the internet portal of the Moscow Region Government and on the official portal of legal information.
Q6: What fines will an employer face for violating the ban?
A: For violating migration legislation, an employer faces large fines, as well as the possible suspension of the company's activities.
Q7: Does the ban apply to the entire city of Moscow and the region?
A: No, this decree applies only to the territory of the Moscow Region. The city of Moscow may have its own list of professions prohibited for migrants.
Photo source: https://ru.freepik.com/
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