As of the beginning of 2026, the number of foreign citizens in Russia has decreased to 5.7 million, which is 10% less compared to the previous year when their number was about 6.3 million. This data was announced by Alexander Perezhogin, head of the analytical department of the migration service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as reported by "Vedomosti".
Alexander Perezhogin noted that the main factor for the decrease was the reduction in the number of minor migrants by almost 25%. Since 2025, a ban has been in effect in Russia on enrolling migrant children in schools if they have not passed a Russian language proficiency test. Irina Volk, the official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, added that foreigners who do not provide their children with the opportunity to receive a general education may lose their right to stay in the country.
Experts interviewed by the publication believe that the tightening of migration legislation has also contributed to the decrease in the number of foreign citizens. Now, migrants who violate the law are entered into a registry of controlled persons. For those who end up on this list, many rights are restricted: they are prohibited from marrying, which could simplify the legalization process in Russia, as well as from using bank accounts and enrolling children in educational institutions.
Additionally, in 2025, the rules for foreigners entering Russia without a visa were changed. Now their stay in the country cannot exceed 90 days within a calendar year. Previously, the 90/180 rule allowed for a stay of about three months within a six-month period.
The tightening of migration policy by the Russian authorities began after the terrorist attack at "Crocus City Hall" in the Moscow region in March 2024. In addition to introducing a registry of controlled persons and mandatory testing in the Russian language for foreign children, the authorities also limited the ability to obtain residency permits in a simplified manner for spouses of Russian citizens.
