Russia issued 5.2 million work patents for temporary employment to foreign citizens in 2022, setting the scale for how large the labor pipeline has been. Net migration also stayed positive in 2021, reaching 80,400 people. Used alongside recent entry flows, these figures show where Russia’s immigration system is absorbing workers and where it is tightening settlement and permit rules.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Russia issued 5.2 million patents for temporary work to foreign citizens.
- 45% of immigrants aged 25-40 in 2022.
- Remittances sent: $15 billion in 2022.
- As of 2023, Russia's foreign-born population is 11.6 million.
- Visa-free entry for 80 countries.
In recent years, more people have immigrated to Russia, making immigration trends increasingly significant.
Related reading
01 · Category
Annual Immigration Flows30 stats
01
In 2022, Russia issued 5.2 million patents for temporary work to foreign citizens.
02
Net migration to Russia in 2021 was positive at 80,400 people.
03
2020 saw 4.8 million arrivals of foreign workers to Russia.
04
Immigration inflows from CIS countries peaked at 3.5 million in 2019.
05
In 2018, 2.9 million labor migrants entered Russia temporarily.
06
2017 immigration quota for highly qualified specialists was 25,000.
07
1.2 million Ukrainians immigrated to Russia post-2014.
08
2023 first quarter saw 1.1 million migrant entries.
09
Emigration from Russia in 2022 reached 1 million.
10
2016 labor migration inflows totaled 2.5 million.
11
Monthly average immigration in 2021 was 150,000.
12
4 million temporary migrants in 2015.
13
Inflows from Tajikistan: 800,000 in 2022.
14
Uzbekistan migrants: 2 million entries 2021.
15
Kyrgyzstan: 500,000 labor migrants 2020.
16
Armenia inflows: 300,000 in 2019.
17
Kazakhstan net migration to Russia: -100,000 in 2022.
18
700,000 Moldovans entered in 2018.
19
Belarus migration: 200,000 annual average 2015-2020.
20
Azerbaijan: 400,000 migrants 2023.
21
Georgia inflows dropped to 150,000 in 2021.
22
Turkmenistan: 100,000 entries 2019.
23
Ukraine: 1 million in 2015.
24
From China: 50,000 immigrants 2022.
25
India: 20,000 student visas 2021.
26
Vietnam: 30,000 labor migrants 2020.
27
Turkey: 40,000 entries 2019.
28
Germany returnees: 10,000 in 2022.
29
US emigrants to Russia: 5,000 annual.
30
Total inflows 2000-2020: 50 million.
Interpretation
Annual Immigration Flows Interpretation
Russia’s immigration story is one of a powerful regional magnet facing a demographic tug-of-war, as it draws millions of temporary workers from its neighbors while simultaneously wrestling with a notable exodus of its own citizens.
02 · Category
Demographic Characteristics24 stats
01
45% of immigrants aged 25-40 in 2022.
02
55% male immigrants.
03
Top language: Uzbek spoken by 20%.
04
30% Muslim immigrants.
05
Education: 40% secondary only.
06
15% higher education among migrants.
07
Family migrants: 10% of total.
08
Children under 18: 5% of immigrants.
09
Elderly over 65: 2%.
10
Urban residence: 80%.
11
Moscow has 25% foreign-born.
12
Tajik migrants: average age 32.
13
Uzbek women: 35% of group.
14
Ukrainian refugees: 60% women.
15
Kyrgyz: 70% male.
16
Armenian diaspora: 50% over 40.
17
Chinese immigrants: highly educated 60%.
18
Indian students: 90% male.
19
Vietnamese: 40% skilled workers.
20
25% from rural areas.
21
Literacy rate: 95% among immigrants.
22
Married: 60% of migrants.
23
Single parents: 5%.
24
70% labor migrants by purpose.
Interpretation
Demographic Characteristics Interpretation
While Russia's immigrant population skews toward young, single men seeking work—notably Uzbeks and Kyrgyz—it also reveals poignant undercurrents like the many women among Ukrainian refugees and a surprising number of highly educated Chinese professionals, painting a picture of both economic necessity and selective global exchange.
03 · Category
Economic and Labor Statistics22 stats
01
Remittances sent: $15 billion in 2022.
02
Immigrants contribute 10% to GDP.
03
2.5 million in construction sector.
04
Average wage for migrants: 40,000 RUB/month.
05
Unemployment among immigrants: 5% in 2022.
06
Taxes paid by migrants: 300 billion RUB.
07
1 million in trade/services.
08
Remittances to Uzbekistan: $8 billion.
09
To Tajikistan: $4 billion.
10
Kyrgyzstan: $2.5 billion remittances.
11
Labor shortage filled: 40% by migrants.
12
Informal employment: 30% migrants.
13
Pension contributions: 100 billion RUB.
14
500,000 in manufacturing.
15
Agriculture: 200,000 migrants.
16
Transport: 300,000 workers.
17
Hospitality: 150,000 employed.
18
Skill mismatch: 50% overqualified.
19
Entrepreneurship: 10% migrants own businesses.
20
GDP per migrant: 1.5 million RUB.
21
Cost of integration: 50 billion RUB/year.
22
20% growth in migrant labor 2021-2022.
Interpretation
Economic and Labor Statistics Interpretation
Russia's economy leans heavily on its immigrant workforce, who prop up critical sectors with their labor and taxes, yet the stark reality is that much of this contribution is siphoned directly back to Central Asia through remittances, leaving a complex picture of dependency, underutilized skills, and a costly integration process.
More related reading
04 · Category
Immigrant Stocks27 stats
01
As of 2023, Russia's foreign-born population is 11.6 million.
02
8% of Russia's population are immigrants in 2022.
03
Stock of labor migrants: 3.5 million in 2021.
04
Central Asians comprise 70% of migrant stock.
05
Ukrainians: 2.5 million residents in 2020.
06
Uzbeks: 2 million in Russia 2022.
07
Tajiks: 1.2 million stock 2021.
08
Kyrgyz: 800,000 permanent residents 2020.
09
Armenians: 600,000 in 2019.
10
Azerbaijanis: 500,000 stock 2022.
11
Moldovans: 300,000 in Russia 2021.
12
From Ukraine post-2022: 1 million refugees.
13
Chinese residents: 100,000 in 2023.
14
Indians: 50,000 long-term 2022.
15
Vietnamese: 80,000 stock 2021.
16
Germans ethnic: 400,000 in 2020.
17
Jews repatriated: 200,000 since 1990.
18
Koreans: 30,000 in Far East 2022.
19
Turks: 40,000 residents 2021.
20
Belarusians: 500,000 stock 2020.
21
Kazakhs: 300,000 in 2019.
22
Georgians: 100,000 permanent 2022.
23
Turkmen: 50,000 stock 2021.
24
60% of immigrants in Moscow region.
25
St. Petersburg: 500,000 migrants 2023.
26
20% female immigrants in stock.
27
Average age of immigrants: 35 years.
Interpretation
Immigrant Stocks Interpretation
Despite a demographic landscape often painted as homogenous, modern Russia is quietly being held together by a diverse army of Central Asian labor, displaced Ukrainians, and millions of other immigrants who are statistically young, predominantly in Moscow, and absolutely essential to the country's functioning.
05 · Category
Policy and Legal Framework20 stats
01
Visa-free entry for 80 countries.
02
Annual migration quota: 200,000 in 2023.
03
Highly Qualified Specialist visa: no quota.
04
Simplified citizenship for CIS: 100,000/year.
05
Ukraine refugee status: temporary protection.
06
Deportations: 50,000 in 2022.
07
Amnesty for overstayers 2023.
08
E-visa introduced 2023 for 55 countries.
09
Work patent cost: 5,000 RUB/month.
10
Residence permit: 5 years validity.
11
Citizenship by investment: not available.
12
Dual citizenship allowed with some countries.
13
Border controls tightened 2022.
14
Quota allocation: 50% labor.
15
Family reunification visas: 20,000/year.
16
Student visas: 150,000 issued 2022.
17
Biometric registration mandatory.
18
2020 migration law amendments.
19
Returns policy: voluntary repatriation.
20
Integration programs funded 10 billion RUB.
Interpretation
Policy and Legal Framework Interpretation
Russia's immigration policy is a complex tango of open arms and locked doors, courting the skilled and the proximate with one hand while meticulously checking the guest list and escorting the unwelcome out with the other.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Lars Eriksen. (2026, February 13). Immigration To Russia Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/immigration-to-russia-statistics
MLA
Lars Eriksen. "Immigration To Russia Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/immigration-to-russia-statistics.
Chicago
Lars Eriksen. 2026. "Immigration To Russia Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/immigration-to-russia-statistics.
Sources & references
52 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level