A new service for registering foreign citizens has been established in Russia

A new structure has been created in the Russian Federation, the Service for Registration of Citizenship and Foreign Citizens, aimed at regulating migration processes and maintaining a list of citizens. President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on this.

Who will the new service report to?

This service is being created on the basis of the Main Directorate for Migration Issues under the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). The new structure will be headed by Andrei Kikot, First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs. He previously served as the Prosecutor of the Novgorod Region and Deputy Prosecutor General of Russia.

Establishment period and financing

According to the presidential decree, three months have been allocated for the full establishment of the new service. During this time, the Russian government must resolve issues of financing the new structure and implement the necessary organizational measures.

Tasks of the new service

Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov explained the main goals of the new service as follows:

🔹 Streamlining migration processes;
🔹 Ensuring compliance with Russian laws by foreign citizens;
🔹 Reducing illegal activities and strengthening control.

History of the structure

The newly created service is expected to replace the Federal Migration Service (FMS), which was reduced in 2016. Since this year, its powers have been transferred to the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This department, in turn, was part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs until 2012, and then operated as an independent body for several years.

Control over migrants is tightening

In Russia, laws related to migrants have recently been tightening. After the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in March 2024, new restrictions were introduced against migrants:

• A special regime for the expedited deportation of migrants from the country was adopted.
  
• From April 1, 2025, children of foreigners who do not speak Russian will not be admitted to schools.
  

New measures are being taken in Russia to control citizenship and migration. There is no doubt that the creation of a new service is aimed at introducing stricter legislation and procedures for migrants. Such changes can have a serious impact on migration policy. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”