Authorities in Russia’s Rostov region have introduced new restrictions banning migrant workers from several key sectors, including courier services and retail sales, under a decree signed by the regional governor.

The measures will take effect from April 1 to December 31, 2026, and will prohibit migrants from working as couriers or selling food, beverages, and tobacco in both wholesale and retail settings, The Caspian Post reports via Russian media.

Courier, Transport, and Retail Sectors Affected

In addition to delivery and retail jobs, migrants covered by the restrictions will also be barred from working in land and pipeline transport, as well as postal services. Starting March 1, additional limits will prevent migrants from selling precious metals or working in fitness centers.

The new rules are expected to impact a significant portion of the region’s workforce. According to estimates, more than 400,000 self-employed couriers currently operate in the Rostov region, though the share of foreign workers is lower than in major cities such as Moscow or St. Petersburg.

Restrictions Target Migrants Working Under Patent System

Legal experts clarified that the ban will apply only to migrants working under Russia’s patent system-a special permit required for citizens of countries such as Azerbaijan, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Citizens of member states of the Eurasian Economic Union-Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan-will not be affected, as they are allowed to work without patents under existing agreements.

Rising Migration Linked to Economic Factors

The number of migrants arriving in the Rostov region increased by more than 5 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year. Most newcomers are labor migrants, attracted by employment opportunities and changes in patent costs in neighboring regions.