St Petersburg expands restrictions on foreigners working under labour patents
In short
St Petersburg has extended its ban on employing foreign nationals under labour patents to retail, beauty services, fitness and some medical activities through the end of 2026. Employers have until December 15 to comply, Interfax reported, citing the city administration.
Read the full story 1 min read
St Petersburg has expanded the sectors barred from employing foreign nationals under labour patents through the end of 2026, according to reports published on October 15. The city administration said Governor Alexander Beglov had added retail, fitness and wellness activities, certain medical services, beauty salons and hairdressing to the existing list, Interfax reported. TASS and Meduza also reported the broader restrictions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The medical activities listed include massage parlours and sanatoriums, according to Interfax. Businesses have until December 15 to adjust their staffing to the new requirements. The measure applies specifically to foreigners working under labour patents. It does not cover citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia or Kyrgyzstan, the other Eurasian Economic Union member states named in the reports. Foreigners holding work permits, including highly qualified specialists, are also exempt, according to the administration's statement carried by Interfax. [ 2 , 3 ]
The city authorities described the restriction as a way to counter undeclared employment. In the statement reported by Interfax, they argued that the patent system in the affected sectors was often used as a formal basis for work without effective checks on qualifications. They said this encouraged unfair competition, avoidance of tax and social obligations and the displacement of legal jobs. Those explanations were presented as the administration's reasons for the measure. [ 2 ]
The authorities said they wanted a transparent, regulated labour market in which jobs were created first for Russian citizens, including young people and students, Interfax reported. The new restrictions follow an earlier ban on employing labour-patent holders as taxi drivers and couriers. Interfax said Beglov signed a decree in December 2025 extending that restriction through the end of 2026; Meduza also reported the earlier taxi and courier ban and its continuation into 2026. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The restrictions extend employment limits already imposed on taxi and courier work. They apply specifically to labour-patent holders, with exemptions for citizens of the other Eurasian Economic Union member states and foreigners holding work permits.
Key facts
- St Petersburg added retail, beauty and hairdressing services, fitness and certain medical activities to its labour-patent employment restrictions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The restrictions run through the end of 2026. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Citizens of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, and foreigners holding work permits, are exempt. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Employers have until December 15 to bring staffing into compliance. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- How many workers or businesses will be affected. The documents give no figures for affected workers or employers.