Migrants in Russia have been granted an extension to work without a patent, but only in certain regions of the country.

Articles in the media have begun to appear stating that Vladimir Putin allowed migrants to work in Russia without a patent.  However, this rule only applies to Donbass and the southern regions of Ukraine that have come under Russian control.

Vladimir Putin signed a decree extending migrants' ability to work in the new regions without a patent, specifically: the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), as well as the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

This option has existed since April 2023 but has now been extended until December 31, 2025.

A patent is not required only in the new regions: DPR, LPR, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. In all other areas, working with a patent is required.

It is important to note that all the aforementioned territories are combat zones. Being there puts one's life at risk.

Those wishing to work in these new regions will not need a patent, but they will have to submit fingerprints to the local Ministry of Internal Affairs and undergo a medical examination to confirm that they do not use drugs or suffer from serious infectious diseases or HIV.

Usually, for employers to hire migrants, they need to obtain the appropriate permit. They must also consider the allowable share of migrants they can employ. However, in the new regions, there is no such limitation for employers.

The patent, which grants foreign nationals from visa-free countries the right to work, consists of three components: a basic rate (1,200 rubles), a deflator coefficient (2.594), and a regional coefficient set by the authorities of the Russian Federation's subject.

The most expensive patent in 2025 will cost 17,120 rubles in Krasnodar Krai, followed by Chelyabinsk Oblast (15,000 rubles) and Tver Oblast (14,973 rubles). The cheapest patent is in Chechnya at 3,113 rubles.