Over the year, the number of migrants in Russia decreased by 10%

Due to tightening legislation and requirements for the education of foreign children, the number of migrants in the Russian Federation decreased by 10% over the year. This was reported by Vedomosti with reference to the head of the analytical department of the migration service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Alexander Perezhogin.

By the beginning of 2026, the number of migrants in Russia decreased to 5.7 million people (-10% per year). At the beginning of last year there were about 6.3 million people. As Perezhogin noted, the decline is primarily due to the fact that the number of minor foreign children in the country has decreased by almost a quarter.

In relation to foreigners who have not ensured the legal stay of their children in Russia, a decision may be made about their undesirable stay in the country. Such a measure can also be taken in cases where foreigners did not provide their children with the opportunity to receive a basic general education, official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Irina Volk reminded on January 27 in her Telegram channel. Also, on January 28, 2026, a law comes into force that provides for the exchange of data on foreign children between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and educational authorities.

According to experts, the decrease in the number of migrants in Russia could have been influenced by the tightening of migration legislation in general, the publication notes. Now foreigners those who violate the law are included in the register of controlled persons. MigrantsThose on this list are prohibited, among other things, from getting married, which could subsequently help them legalize themselves in the Russian Federation, as well as manage funds in bank accounts and enroll children in schools.

Besides, From January 1, 2025, the length of stay of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation has been reduced. For migrants who came to the country on a visa-free basis, the period of temporary stay cannot exceed 90 days throughout the entire calendar year. Previously, the 90/180 rule was in effect (approximately three months within six months).

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