Over the past few years, a growing number of Russian regions have closed particular occupations to migrant workers. Taxi driving, courier delivery, retail and a range of service jobs have appeared on regional lists. For employers planning to hire Indian workers, the obvious question is whether these bans apply to them. The answer is usually no — but "usually" is not good enough to file on.
Two Different Kinds of Limit
Regional bans on patent holders. Russian law allows regions to restrict patent holders from working in particular activities. Most of the high-profile bans since 2023 are of this kind. They apply to foreign nationals working on patents, which Indian workers never hold.
Federal limits on foreign shares. Separately, the federal government sets an annual list of activities in which the share of foreign workers an employer may employ is capped, sometimes by region. Over the years the list has included activities in retail, transport, construction in certain regions and some crop growing. These limits can apply to all foreign workers, whatever their route.
Some regions have also introduced broader measures that go beyond patent holders. The wording of each regional act matters.
Why This Matters for Indian Hiring
An Indian worker comes on a visa-based work permit, under a quota. Patent-specific bans do not directly apply. But:
- a federal share limit can cap how many foreign workers you employ in a listed activity
- some regional measures are written for foreign workers generally
- an occupation that is restricted for patent holders signals political sensitivity, and the quota commission may be cautious about approving foreign labour for it
So the practical rule is: if your profession appears on any regional or federal list, get specific advice before filing.
How to Check
- Identify your activity code and the profession you will hire for
- Read the current federal resolution on permitted shares of foreign workers for the year
- Read your region's current acts on migrant employment restrictions, including amendments
- Check whether the restriction applies to patent holders only or to foreign workers generally
- Note the effective date — some measures are introduced with a transition period
Lists are revised often. A check done last year may be out of date.
Sectors to Watch
From what we see, the sectors most often affected by some form of limit include passenger transport and taxi services, courier and delivery work, retail sales (especially specific product categories), some service work in housing and communal facilities, and education or childcare roles. Construction, manufacturing, warehousing and food processing are less frequently restricted for visa-route workers, but regional exceptions exist.
How We Handle It
When an employer brings us a requirement, we ask which region and which activity the worker will be employed in. For anything in a frequently restricted sector, we ask the employer to confirm the legal position with its Russian adviser before we start recruitment. We would rather pause a search than send workers to a role they cannot lawfully hold.
We also design around restrictions where possible. A logistics company that wants couriers may still be able to hire Indian warehouse staff legally. A retailer may be able to hire for the distribution centre rather than the shop floor.
Keeping Watch After Hiring
A new restriction can be introduced after workers are already employed. Most acts include transition rules, but employers should monitor regional changes, especially in Moscow, St Petersburg and other large regions where measures change most often.
A Note on Quota Applications
Even where no ban applies, the quota commission looks at the sector. An application for foreign workers in an occupation the region has recently closed to patent holders may draw closer questions about why local or EAEU workers cannot be found. A precise justification — the project, the skills, the wage and the housing — counts for more in these sectors than elsewhere.
Related Reading
The 2025–2026 tightening guide explains the wider policy context, and our piece on the three Russian work regimes covers why Indian workers sit on a different route. Our earlier practical hiring checklist for Russia covers the operational side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do regional migrant bans apply to Indian workers?
Most target patent holders, which Indian workers are not. But federal share limits and some broader regional measures can apply to all foreign workers, so check the exact text.
Where are federal limits on foreign workers published?
The government issues an annual resolution listing activities where the share of foreign workers is capped, sometimes by region. Check the current year’s version.
