Authorities in the Rostov region have decided to prohibit foreign nationals, including migrants from Tajikistan, from working as couriers, as well as engaging in wholesale and retail trade of food, beverages, and tobacco products. The ban will be in effect from April 1 to December 31, 2026.
Additionally, foreign workers will be restricted from working in the land and pipeline transport sectors, as well as postal services. These measures are outlined in the decree issued by the governor of Rostov region on February 11, 2026, according to RBC.
Starting March 1, foreign nationals will also be prohibited from selling precious metals or working in fitness centers. The restrictions will only apply to those foreigners working under a patent. Citizens from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries — Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan — will not be affected by the ban.
However, citizens from countries such as Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will still be required to obtain a patent to work in the Rostov region.
In 2025, the influx of migrants into the Rostov region increased by more than 5% compared to 2024. Most of the newcomers were labor migrants, a trend attributed to the rising cost of patents in neighboring regions.
Currently, over 400,000 self-employed couriers work in the region, with the proportion of foreign workers being lower than in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Despite this, foreign workers continue to play an important role in the local economy.
