Statistics released for the first eight months of 2023 by the press service of Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs show a noticeable rise in the issuance of work permissions to foreign nationals. In this period, foreign citizens were granted a total of 110.5 thousand work permits, marking a 19.6 percent increase compared with the same timeframe in the previous year. Among these, 46.1 thousand permits went to highly skilled specialists, reflecting a 0.9 percent growth over 2022. The source describing these figures appears in the reporting of the publication News.
Beyond work permits, the January–August 2023 interval saw over two million foreign citizens holding patents in Russia, which constitutes a 3.7 percent year-over-year rise. This uptick signals ongoing demand in Russia for foreign expertise across diverse sectors and the legal avenues that enable such engagement for foreign professionals.
The Ministry also reported that employers submitted 415.7 thousand notices regarding the conclusion of employment contracts or civil agreements with citizens of the Eurasian Economic Union, representing a 2 percent increase against the same eight-month window in 2022. These notices indicate continued activity in cross-border labor arrangements within the EAEU framework and a steady flow of employment collaborations across borders.
On the other hand, the number of foreign nationals living in Russia under temporary residence permits or residence permits shows a slight decrease. As of September 1, the total stood at approximately 700 thousand people, which is about 5.5 percent lower than the figure for September 1, 2022. This shift may reflect a combination of policy changes, economic factors, and individual decisions about long-term residence, suggesting a dynamic balance between entry into the labor market and residency status.
In related observations, there are discussions about shifts in the immigrant workforce around major urban centers, with particular reference to mobility patterns in cities such as St. Petersburg. Observers note how regional labor markets respond to changes in permit regimes, employment notifications, and the availability of skilled labor across sectors. These dynamics have implications for urban economies, social services, and the integration of foreign workers into local communities. (Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs)