Starting January 1, 2026, the cost of work permits for labor migrants will increase significantly in many regions of Russia, according to regional government announcements.
The hike comes as several federal subjects have updated the coefficients used to calculate the fixed advance payment for personal income tax (PIT), which determines the monthly cost of a migrant work patent.
Regional authorities say the increase in fees for foreign workers will contribute substantial additional revenue to local budgets.
In Tyumen Oblast, the price of a patent will rise by 22%, reaching 11,471 rubles in 2026, up from 9,385 rubles in 2025.
In the Kamchatka Krai, the fee will jump from 9,000 to 13,800 rubles following a regional legislative decision to raise the coefficient from 2.9 to 4.1.
Irkutsk Oblast has set the monthly payment for 2026 at 12,000 rubles, up from 11,000 rubles.
In both Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast, the cost of work permits will rise from 6,000 to 8,000 rubles following a joint decision by regional authorities.
In Novosibirsk, the cost will increase by 11%, reaching 10,860 rubles—a rise of 954 rubles compared to the previous year. Officials project this change will generate an additional 2.5 billion rubles in budget revenue.
In Krasnodar, the cost of a work patent will surge by approximately 59%, reaching 27,000 rubles starting in 2026.
Sverdlovsk Oblast is also increasing the monthly fee for foreign workers, from 7,500 to 9,500 rubles. Regional officials estimate this change will add around 4 billion rubles in additional revenue to the local budget.
In Primorsky Krai, the regional parliament has approved a rise in the patent fee to 13,800 rubles, effective from 2026.
The cost of work patents for migrants is adjusted annually in most Russian regions, with increases being the norm. The amount varies depending on the region and local economic policies.
A work patent allows foreign nationals to be legally employed within a specific region and industry in Russia. However, obtaining one involves submitting a comprehensive set of documents, typically costing migrants around 30,000 rubles.
Failure to pay the monthly patent fee can lead to the revocation of the migrant’s right to stay in Russia and potential deportation.
