In one of Russia's regions, migrants will be banned from working in three more spheres

In one of Russia's regions, migrants will be banned from working in three more spheres

In the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, the list of professions closed to foreign citizens will be expanded starting January 1, 2027. Migrants will be prohibited from working in bakeries, warehouses, pickup points, as well as in the fields of culture and sports. The authorities explain this decision by the desire to primarily ensure employment for local residents.

Governor of KhMAO-Yugra Ruslan Kukharuk spoke about the new measures. According to the regional government, starting January 1, 2027, the number of spheres closed to foreigners will increase from 27 to 30.

At the same time, the authorities do not intend to completely abandon foreign labor: Yugra still requires specialists in the oil and gas sector and construction. However, as emphasized, priority must remain with the interests of Yugra residents and compliance by visitors with Russian laws.

A noticeable decline in the migration flow is noted in the region. In the nine months of 2026, the number of arriving migrants decreased by almost 23% compared to last year. At the same time, the number of deported foreigners increased sharply — from 343 people in 2025 to more than 2.1 thousand in 2026.

Kukharuk reported that previously the authorities had encountered cases where foreigners came to Yugra to receive increased benefits. Advice even appeared on social networks on how to take advantage of such opportunities.

The region is consistently tightening rules in the social sphere as well. In December 2025, deputies of the okrug legislative assembly restricted foreigners' access to a one-time payment of 20 thousand rubles under the "I Am Growing in Yugra" program. Now, Russian citizenship and registration in the okrug are required for this.

, the launch of a new federal system for hiring labor migrants in Russia may be postponed from January to March 2027. It will oblige foreigners to register in a special registry and work only for a specific employer.