According to Perezhogin, the main reason for the decrease is the nearly quarter reduction in the number of underage foreign citizens. He also added that the final data for 2025 will be published in February. Foreigners who have not ensured the legal stay of their children may face the possibility of their children being recognized as undesirable in Russia. This also applies to those who have not been able to provide their children with access to basic general education, as previously mentioned by the official representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Irina Volk, in her Telegram channel on January 27.
Starting January 28, 2026, a law will come into effect that provides for the exchange of information about foreign children between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and educational institutions, Volk added. This will allow the ministry to inform about children who have been registered or deregistered for migration purposes, which will help "quickly identify their educational needs," stated the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation in November 2025.
In addition, the Ministry of Education and local educational authorities will be required to provide the Ministry of Internal Affairs with data on applications from foreigners for the enrollment of children in educational institutions. This will also pertain to the results of Russian language testing, as well as facts of enrollment and expulsion of children.
The decrease in the number of migrants may also be related to the overall tightening of migration legislation, believes Anna Minushkina, head of the law firm "Minushkina and Partners." Previously, foreigners who violated the law could remain in Russia until they were detained by the police. Now, they immediately enter the register of controlled persons (RCL), she explains. Previously, such individuals could continue to use their bank accounts, which sometimes allowed them to legalize their status in the country.
After the adoption of the law on expulsion, the situation changed. Now, foreigners who violate the law cannot manage the funds in their accounts, access to which is limited to 30,000 rubles, and they can only use the money to pay fines. This leads to many being forced to leave Russia and unable to return if a decision is made regarding their entry ban, Minushkina added.
Sofia Baturo, first deputy general director of the recruiting company "Intrud," also noted the impact of the RCL and the expulsion regime. She pointed out the reduction in the duration of stay for foreign citizens. Starting January 1, 2025, for those arriving in Russia without a visa, the temporary stay is limited to 90 days in a calendar year, whereas previously the 90/180 rule (i.e., three months in half a year) was in effect.
Photo on the main page - Evgeny Razumny/"Vedomosti".
