Sochi bans migrant workers from construction despite patents
The governor of Krasnodar Krai has issued a decree banning the employment of foreign citizens working under a patent in almost all types of economic activities. The document came into force on January 1, 2026, across the entire region. The only exception for now is the construction of non-residential buildings, which include socially significant facilities. But this exception will not last long.
«The possibility of attracting workers operating under a patent for the construction of key social facilities, such as hospitals, schools, kindergartens, and sports facilities, remains until March 1, 2026. However, it is important to understand that after March 1, the hiring of new foreign workers under a patent for the construction of non-residential facilities will also be prohibited. We are conducting explanatory work for entrepreneurs on behalf of the city administration. We urge all employers to strictly comply with the new rules and promptly notify migration services,» recommended Vadim Snegirev, deputy head of Sochi.
Migrants hired between January 1 and March 1, 2026, may continue working for these employers until December 20, 2026.
Administrative liability is provided for non-compliance with the established restrictions. Fines for officials range from 45,000 to 50,000 rubles (approximately $500–556 at current rates), and for legal entities from 800,000 to 1,000,000 rubles (approximately $8,900–11,100 at current rates). Separate fines are introduced for violating the deadlines for notifying migration authorities about the conclusion or termination of a contract with a migrant.
Foreign citizens who have already obtained a patent must notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) of the start of their work within two months of the date of issue. Violation of this deadline will result in the patent being annulled. The presence of a foreign worker in the register of controlled persons can be checked via the official website of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in the online services section on migration issues.
For advisory and methodological services, foreign citizens and stateless persons arriving for temporary residence and work are advised to contact the Multifunctional Migration Center at the address: Krasnodar, Dzerzhinsky Street, building 100/5, 3rd floor, phone 8 (861) 20-20-220.
The hotline phone number for migration issues of the Migration Department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Krasnodar Krai is 8 (861) 251-85-52.
