St. Petersburg Bans Migrant Workers From Gym, Hair Salon and Retail Work

Oct. 16, 2026 Igor Ivanko / Moskva News Agency St. Petersburg authorities have banned foreign citizens with work patents from employment in retail, healthcare, beauty salons and fitness centers, local media reported Thursday. Governor Alexander Beglov’s decree expands on existing restrictions, which last year banned migrant patent holders — a temporary low-skilled work visa — from driving taxis and delivering food. Employers have been given until Dec. 15 to bring their staffing into compliance. The decision aims to combat “shadow employment” and reduce economic reliance on low-skilled foreign labor, according to local outlet Fontanka. According to St. Petersburg authorities, it will also facilitate “a transparent, regulated labor market where jobs are generated for Russian citizens, including young people and students.” The restrictions do not apply to highly qualified specialists, foreigners with work permits or citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan. Citizens of other visa-free countries eligible to obtain a work patent in Russia include Azerbaijan, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Dozens of other Russian regions, as well as occupied Ukrainian territories, have introduced similar targeted bans on foreign labor. The measures were accompanied by a broader federal push to restrict foreign labor following the March 2024 Crocus City Hall terrorist attack, after which Russian lawmakers passed dozens of migration restrictions primarily impacting Central Asian workers. Read more about: Migrants , St. Petersburg Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more St. Petersburg Bans Migrant Workers From Delivery Jobs Nearly 50 Russian regions, including occupied territories in Ukraine, have introduced similar bans in various professions. 2 Min read Mass Deportations Seen in St. Petersburg After Moscow Concert Attack – NGO More than 64 foreigners were reportedly deported from the city’s Vyborgsky district on Thursday alone. 1 Min read St. Petersburg Police Round Up Thousands of Migrant Workers in New Year's Raids – Reports More than 600 of those detained had reportedly broken Russia’s immigration laws, with over 100 people expected to be deported from the country. 1 Min read Russian Ex-Policeman Arrested on Suspicion of Unlawfully Granting 100K Migrants Legal Status Law enforcement agents detained the former senior police officer near Moscow and are said to have sent him to St. Petersburg, state media reported. 1 Min read