Will migrants be banned from working in taxis across Russia?

The authorities of Russia want to extend the ban on migrant workers in taxis across the entire country.

Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Regional Policy and Local Self-Government Mikhail Matveev proposed to extend the ban on migrant workers in taxis, previously introduced in St. Petersburg, to all of Russia. He stated this in an interview with journalists.

State Duma Deputy Mikhail Matveev stated that these measures will enhance transportation safety and redistribute jobs in favor of Russian citizens.

Previously, the ban on migrant workers in taxis was introduced in St. Petersburg as a temporary measure from August 10 until the end of 2025.

At the same time, Matveev emphasized that the ban will not apply to new citizens of Russia, as well as citizens of EAEU member states, particularly Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Armenia. The restrictions will only apply to citizens of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The deputy explained that in practice, in large cities such as St. Petersburg, there will not be a sharp reduction in the number of drivers. Nevertheless, he expressed hope that the new rules will help redistribute jobs in favor of Russians.

However, Russian taxi fleets warn that if this proposal is adopted, large cities will face a shortage of drivers and an increase in taxi service prices.

Earlier, in the Khabarovsk Krai, after the introduction of the ban on migrants working in passenger transportation, the shortage of drivers on some public transport routes reached fifty percent. Shortly after the ban was introduced, it became clear that there was simply no one to transport passengers on urban routes.

Also earlier this year, in Tatarstan, economic enterprises were prohibited from hiring foreigners working under patents in 10 areas of economic activity until the end of the year. The list includes areas such as taxis and rental car services with drivers, as well as the transportation of hazardous goods.

At the same time, back in late September 2024, the head of the republic, Rustam Minnikhanov, stated in his address to the State Council of Tatarstan that limiting the number of migrants could worsen the economic situation.

It is still unknown whether migrants from Central Asian countries will return to their previous jobs from which they were expelled. Over the past two years, especially after the attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue, in which migrants are suspected, there has been a rise in xenophobia and anti-migrant sentiment in Russia. Law enforcement agencies are conducting mass raids on the streets, in hostels, cafes, and markets, where migrants are often treated violently, beaten, and their patents or residence permits are revoked. This particularly affects citizens of Central Asian countries, including Tajikistan. They are also stripped of their residence permits and even citizenship for evading participation in the war in Ukraine.