The number of foreigners who entered Russia in the first nine months of this year decreased to less than 1 million. Moscow FM reported this, citing data from the Border Service of the Federal Security Service (FSB).
According to the data, citizens of Kazakhstan, as well as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, visit Russia the most.
Experts link the decrease in the flow of migrants to the tightening of migration legislation in the country. As lawyers note, a public open register, where information about foreigners illegally staying in Russia is entered, has been launched. Individuals on this register will be restricted from using services such as bank transactions over 30 thousand rubles and marriage registration.
In addition, the deportation process for foreigners has been accelerated, and liability for organizing illegal migration has been further strengthened.
The tightening of laws has affected not only labor migrants but also the flow of tourists. According to the tour operators association, the number of tourists has decreased by more than 6% since the beginning of the year. The main reasons cited are difficulties with transport, the high cost of air tickets, the lack of convenient payment methods for foreigners, and problems with SIM cards.
