The Russian authorities are reportedly considering postponing the launch of a new migrant labor recruitment system from January to March 2027. According to sources cited in local media, the purported delay stems from the lack of a finalized bill and the absence of a fully operational digital platform to manage the data. Officials claim the reform will be introduced in phases, with the first stage allegedly starting after March 1, 2027, and the second following on January 1, 2029. However, observers suggest these timelines remain tentative and subject to further changes.

Under the proposed framework, foreign nationals would allegedly arrive in the country solely to work for a designated employer. Their personal data is supposed to be entered into a special registry, replacing traditional work permits with a three-year identification card. The system is planned to apply nationwide, excluding Moscow and the Moscow region, affecting both visa-free and visa-required arrivals, though certain exemptions are envisioned for high-skilled specialists and citizens of Belarus.

The regulatory burden on employers is also set to increase significantly. Companies intending to hire foreigners will reportedly have to register with a dedicated Ministry of Internal Affairs registry and pre-submit detailed applications regarding labor conditions and staff numbers. Furthermore, employers will be held financially responsible for genomic registration and potential deportation costs, while companies hiring over 15 foreign workers must provide housing. Private individuals will be restricted to hiring a maximum of five migrant workers.

With millions of migrant workers residing in the country, industry experts remain skeptical about the feasibility of registering everyone within the designated deadlines. Questions persistently surround the technical readiness of the state digital infrastructure to handle such massive data processing. While business circles acknowledge the need for oversight, the actual effectiveness of this new bureaucratic mechanism compared to the existing patent system remains entirely unverified.

Source: podrobno.uz