Uzbekistan Migration Agency in Moscow Assisted Over 1,600 Uzbek Citizens Last Month

In the first half of 2026, there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of citizens of Uzbekistan coming to Russia for work. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan continues to be the leading source of labor migration to the Russian Federation among Central Asian countries.

According to data from the Russian border service, during the period from January to June, citizens of Uzbekistan made over 1.1 million entries into Russia for employment purposes. This figure was 13.2% lower than in the same period last year.

Overall, the total number of labor entries from the three largest Central Asian countries—Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan—decreased by approximately 15%. In the first six months of 2026, about 1.9 million such trips were registered, compared to more than 2.3 million the previous year.

In terms of labor entries, Tajikistan ranks second with 494.5 thousand trips, and Kyrgyzstan ranks third with 289.1 thousand.

Experts cite several reasons for this decline. Among them are the tightening of migration legislation in Russia, the increase in the cost of patents for foreigners, the rise in medical examination costs, as well as increased expenses for accommodation and transport.

Concurrently, more and more migrant workers are considering alternative labor markets, such as South Korea, China, Middle Eastern countries, and European Union states. Furthermore, internal economic development and the attraction of foreign investment contribute to the emergence of new jobs within the republics themselves.

Legal specialists also point to increased control in Russia over compliance with migration norms. Failure to comply with the duration of stay or other requirements now more often leads to the inclusion of foreigners in the registry of controlled persons, which could potentially result in a ban on further stay and forced departure.

Additionally, Russian authorities are considering the possibility of introducing a requirement for migrants to mandatorily acquire a mobile phone with an electronic profile upon entering the country.

An Uzbek citizen who became the subject of a scandal in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia due to a rug depicting the Russian flag will soon be returned to her home country. An airline ticket has already been issued for her, paid for by the Migration Fund.

The situation arose during an inspection conducted by Russian law enforcement agencies. A rug featuring the Russian tricolor was found in the woman's residence. Following this, the Russian side began an investigation, within which the potential issue of initiating a criminal case under the article concerning desecration of the state flag was considered.

Reaction of Uzbek Authorities

The Migration Agency of Uzbekistan reported that it has taken control of the situation. The agency's representative office in Russia and the Consulate General of Uzbekistan in Kazan are working together with relevant Russian structures to establish all the circumstances of the incident. The woman, with whom contact has already been established, is receiving necessary consular and legal support.

It was also announced that the airline ticket for the Uzbek citizen was purchased from the Migration Fund. The citizen's return to Uzbekistan is scheduled for August 6.

Previously, the Uzbek citizen was fined 5 thousand rubles and received an expulsion order from Russia. This occurred because she was working without the required patent in Moscow. However, the fact that she owns property in the country and has no prior violations of migration legislation could not prevent the deportation.