The key facts

  • St. Petersburg has expanded the list of activities where hiring foreigners on patents is prohibited until the end of 2026
  • Retail trade, beauty salons, hairdressing, massage and sanatoriums, and certain medical fields have been added
  • The restrictions do not apply to EAEU citizens and foreigners with work permits; businesses have until December 15

New Restrictions for Foreign Workers

In St. Petersburg, stores, beauty and massage salons, as well as hairdressing salons, are prohibited from hiring foreigners on a patent basis until the end of 2026. This was reported by Interfax, citing the city administration.

What Was Added to the Expanded List

By decision of Governor Alexander Beglov, the list of activities for which hiring foreign workers on patents is prohibited has been expanded for 2026. It now includes retail trade, physical culture and wellness, certain areas of medicine, as well as the activities of beauty salons and hairdressing services. Among the medical activities, massage parlors and sanatoriums were specifically named.

Who Is Not Affected by the Restrictions

The restrictions do not apply to citizens of member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan), nor to foreigners with work permits, including highly qualified specialists.

Deadlines for Businesses and Authorities' Expectations

Entrepreneurs have been given time until December 15 to bring their staffing levels into compliance with the new requirements. Officials expect the ban to help create a 'transparent and regulated labor market where jobs are created primarily for Russian citizens, including young people and students.'

Previous Measures

As previously reported, in December 2025 Beglov signed a decision banning the hiring of migrants on a patent basis as taxi drivers and couriers until the end of 2026.