Migration Law in Moscow and Moscow Oblast
The Moscow region is the largest and most complex migration hub in Russia. Federal laws apply here, but there are also special rules designed to manage the high volume of foreign nationals. These specifics matter for anyone coming to work, study, or live in Moscow and the surrounding oblast.
What Makes Migration Rules in Moscow and Moscow Oblast Different?
Moscow and Moscow Oblast have additional migration control measures aimed at simplifying registration and improving security for law-abiding migrants, while creating effective barriers for those who break the law.
Starting September 1, 2025, Moscow and Moscow Oblast are launching a pilot program with new mechanisms for tracking foreign nationals through the “Amina” mobile app, which records location via geolocation. The pilot will run until September 1, 2029.
Foreign citizens who arrived without a visa to work in Moscow or Moscow Oblast must register in the app. This applies to citizens of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and Ukraine.
Exceptions:
- citizens of Belarus
- minors
- diplomats
- foreigners holding a residence permit (VNZh) or temporary residence permit (RVP)
- individuals staying in hotels, hospitals, and registered accommodation facilities
If you change your address, you must notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) within 3 business days. If geolocation is not updated for 3+ days, you will be automatically deregistered and added to the controlled persons registry.
How the Amina App Works
Download it from RuStore, register using your foreign citizen card (issued at the Sakharovo Migration Center). Give consent for data processing, enter your address, and regularly confirm your geolocation.
Transition period deadlines:
- already working in Moscow/Moscow Oblast — by November 29, 2025
- new migrants — 30 days from the date of entry
- currently registered — 30 days after the current registration expires
Employer Obligations
From September 1, 2025, employers are exempt from notifying the MVD about the arrival of visa-free foreign workers.
However, they must:
- verify the worker’s registration in Amina before hiring
- monitor the length of stay
- notify the MVD upon termination (within 3 days)
- request proof of registration (screenshot/QR code)
The law allows working in two neighboring regions on a single work patent. In Moscow Oblast, starting in 2025, work patents are prohibited in food service, social services, and healthcare (except for EAEU citizens and holders of VNZh/RVP).
Registration Status Violations
Failure to install Amina may result in a fine of up to 7,000 RUB plus deportation (Articles 18.8 and 18.9 of the Administrative Code). Employers face fines of up to 500,000 RUB (Article 18.15 of the Administrative Code), and their operations may be suspended.
Conclusion
Knowing the regional specifics helps you avoid legal problems. The rules are constantly being updated.
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