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Starting February 5, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs will implement a new registry of controlled individuals, which will include all foreigners who are illegally in Russia, official sources reported.
This record will be used to verify foreigners before their employment, enrollment of children in educational institutions, property registration, or marriage procedures, explained Vladimir Shkunov, administrator of the Facebook group “Russia for Cubans.”
The registration will be available to employers, educational institutions, and other entities, allowing them to verify the legal status of migrants before offering them services or employment.
This legal regime applies to foreigners and stateless persons who are illegally present in Russia (for example, those whose temporary residence permit has expired or whose visa has been canceled). It is effective from the moment the migrant registers in the controlled persons registry. The expulsion regime includes the imposition of prohibitions.
Migrants registered in the registry cannot start a business, purchase real estate and transportation, get married, or change their residence without the permission of the immigration authority. Officials will oversee compliance with these prohibitions.
State control over migration will also be implemented. For instance, the verification of documents and the mandatory registration of migrants' fingerprints will be possible. A person may be detained in a special institution for 48 hours and, by court order, for a longer period.
They will be removed from the controlled persons registry in the following cases: leaving Russia; acquiring legal reasons to remain in the country; cancellation or acknowledgment of an illegal decision that served as grounds for their inclusion in the registry; death.
The Government of the Russian Federation will determine the procedure for entering information into the registry and the rules for providing information regarding its inclusion or exclusion.
According to Alexander Gorovoy, the First Deputy Minister of the Interior of the Russian Federation, currently there are 670,000 foreign migrants in an irregular situation in Russia. More than half of these individuals are women and minors.
Gorovoy indicated to Russian media that they have until April 30, 2025, to regularize their legal status. Starting May 1, those who have not completed this process will have to leave the country.
“After confirming through our special records and verifying that no violations affecting public order have occurred, we will regulate the legal status of these foreign citizens. Otherwise, they will be required to leave the country,” said Gorovoy in a interview with the radio station Komsomolskaya Pravda.
The official also mentioned that last year, 9.5 million foreigners visited Russia, an increase of 4.5% compared to 2023. Of these, 9.3 million people have left the country. Today, there are 6.3 million immigrants living in Russia, 80% of whom come from the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The implementation of this measure aligns with the signing of a law in August 2024 by Russian President Vladimir Putin that establishes specific obligations for foreigners wishing to reside in Russia.
This legislation, published on the state legal information portal, also outlines the mechanisms for the expulsion of foreigners in the event of violations of local laws.
These provisions aim to increase control over the stay of foreigners in Russian territory and compel them to legalize their immigration status.
However, it has also raised concerns about potential limitations on migrants' rights and a rise in deportations.
In the case of Cubans, although they can enter Russia without a visa for a period of up to 90 days, many have faced legal and administrative challenges that have led to detentions and deportations.
For example, in May 2024, ten Cubans were arrested and deported following a raid at the Rodina market in Kazan, accused of violating residence regulations and engaging in work activities without the proper permits.
Additionally, in April 2024, an increase in the expulsion of Cuban migrants was reported following a terrorist attack near Moscow.
Frequently asked questions about the new registry of controlled persons in Russia
What is the registry of controlled persons in Russia?
The register of controlled persons in Russia is a system implemented by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs to identify and manage foreigners who are illegally in the country. This register is used to verify the legal status of migrants before they are offered services or employment.
How does this registration affect illegal migrants in Russia?
Illegal migrants included in the registry cannot engage in activities such as starting a business, purchasing property, getting married, or changing residence without permission. Additionally, they may be subject to deportation if they do not regularize their legal status before April 30, 2025.
What additional control measures are implemented with this registry?
The registration allows for the verification of documents and the mandatory recording of fingerprints. Authorities can detain a person in a special facility for 48 hours and, by court order, for a longer period.
What recent changes in Russian legislation affect foreigners?
On August 11, 2024, President Putin signed a law that imposes increased controls on foreigners in Russia. This legislation establishes specific obligations and deportation mechanisms for those who violate local laws. The length of stay for citizens of visa-exempt countries, such as Cuba, has also been reduced to 90 days per year.
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