Armenian expert highlights tightening regulations in Russia`s  registry of controlled persons effective March 1

ArmInfo. New conditions came into effect on March 1, 2026, under which foreign citizens arriving in Russia may be placed on the registry of controlled persons and subject to deportation. This was announced by Tatevik Bezhanyan, migration program expert at  Armenian Caritas, at a press conference in Yerevan on March 4.

She explained that these changes are a logical continuation of the  reforms initiated by Russian authorities in February 2025, when a new  "expulsion regime" for migrants was introduced and the rules for  maintaining the registry of controlled persons were updated. As the  expert noted, the tax service certificate format changed from paper  to electronic, effective March 1, 2026. The absence of an electronic  statement may result in an individual being added to the registry of  controlled individuals.

According to Bezhanyan, the salary amount specified in migrants'  employment contracts may also result in their name appearing on this  registry. The expert added that large transfers from one person to  different families may also lead to inclusion on the registry of  controlled individuals and potential deportation. To avoid such  situations, Bezhanyan urged migrants to transfer only their own funds  and to include the actual salary amount in their employment  contracts.

Since March 1, the expert continued, the Federal Security Service of  Russia has been able to request that telecom operators disconnect  migrants' access to telephones depending on the nature of their  calls.  "Migrants in Moscow and the Moscow region could face  particularly serious problems, since, starting in September 2025,  citizens, including Armenians, must use the online "Amina" app to  obtain migration registration. Failure to update the app could result  in a person being added to the registry of controlled individuals and  subsequent deportation if the FSB discovers anything they deem a  threat to the country," Bezhanyan noted. The expert explained that  this could affect citizens who, for example, sympathize with Ukraine.  In this regard, she urged Armenian citizens to be careful about the  type of calls they make and the content of the calls.

In this regard, the expert also added that if a person lives at the  stated address but plans to be absent for three days, they should  report  their absence to the local police at their place of  registration. Bezhanyan cited the decision, which stipulates that if  a homeowner refuses to register someone as a resident, they will be  fined 5,000 rubles (approximately 24,000 drams - ed.) as a positive  change. If the person is a legal entity or official, the fine  increases to 500,000 rubles (over 2 million drams - ed.).

"Starting March 1, regions will also be given the opportunity to  decide how many foreign citizens can be employed in each job. If  there are currently more foreign citizens than required, the employer  must fire them and fill the positions with Russian citizens," the  expert added.  Bezhanyan reported that the issue of not applying this  change to citizens of EAEU countries is being discussed. She  expressed hope that it will be adopted, as otherwise it will have  negative consequences.  "Due to changes after 2022, we have recorded  a downward trend in migration flows to Russia. While in 2022-2023, we  were talking about 95,000-100,000 labor migrants, today that number  doesn't even reach 70,000. In 2023-2024, we also noticed that, due to  the ruble's depreciation because of the sanctions, it became  unprofitable to send money to their families in Armenia, and people  began taking family members with them. However, this trend started to  decline on April 1, 2025, when conditions became more stringent, for  instance, those related to the admission of migrant children to  school," the expert noted.  Another reason for being added to the  registry, according to Bezhanyan, could be the expiration date of  one's migration card. The expert explained that while it was valid  indefinitely until September 2025, it is now issued for 90 days, and  individuals must go to the migration service at their place of  registration and have the card stamped on the back before the  expiration date.  Bezhanyan also acknowledged that the war around  Ukraine and the tightening of migration regulations have essentially  contributed to a reduction in migration from Armenia to Russia. This,  she added, was also influenced by the intensification of construction  in the country.

Recvall, on February 5, 2025, a law on a registry of controlled  persons came into effect in Russia, introducing a so-called  "expulsion regime." This law provides for sanctions against foreign  citizens who violate residence regulations. Such individuals are  added to the registry, after which their bank accounts are frozen,  and all transactions become impossible. And as of March 1 of this  year, amendments were made to it.