Tajik migrants in Russia urged to legalize their status by September 10

DUSHANBE, August 4, Asia-Plus -- The Representative Office of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Labor, Migration, and Employment of the Population (MoLMEP) in Russia has issued a reminder to Tajik nationals residing in the Russian Federation illegally: only 38 days remain to legalize their stay and avoid deportation.

According to a notice shared via the office’s official Telegram channel, Russian Presidential Decree No. 1126 allows foreign nationals to normalize their legal status in Russia without the threat of expulsion.  However, this grace period will expire on September 10, 2025.  After this date, migrants may face deportation and entry bans.

To legalize their stay, Tajik citizens must contact one of the following before the deadline:

• Any branch of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Main Directorate for Migration (based on actual place of residence);
• The Sakharovo Multifunctional Migration Center (for residents of Moscow);
• The nearest migration department of the regional offices of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs;
• In remote areas or in complex circumstances, migrants may directly approach local police officers for assistance or legal consultations.

The representative office also offers support for migrants seeking guidance on the legalization process.

This reminder follows an earlier decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend the legalization period.  The previous decree, signed in December 2024, gave migrants until April 30, 2025, to rectify their legal status.

Since February 5, Russia has enforced stricter deportation rules targeting foreigners residing in the country without proper documentation. Under the new framework, regional police and migration service officials are authorized to issue deportation orders without court approval.

Migrants who remain in Russia illegally are entered into a “controlled persons registry,” which imposes restrictions on certain rights and freedoms.  These include prohibitions on marriage registration, vehicle registration, and driving privileges.

As of March 2025, Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev reported that 685,000 foreign nationals had been added to this registry.