Russia’s Internal Affairs Ministry proposes ‘controlled stay’ register for foreigners in country illegally
Russia’s Internal Affairs Ministry has proposed introducing a “controlled stay” regime for foreigners who are in the country illegally. Those eligible would be added to a register and be subject to various restrictions: bans on buying and selling real estate and cars, driving a car, opening a bank account, transferring money, or getting married.
Anyone on the register would be required to keep authorities informed of their whereabouts and the details of their plans for departure. If they violate these restrictions, they could be deported or placed in a special facility.
The law, if adopted, could apply to a wide range of people. Foreigners whose temporary residence permit has expired or been revoked, who illegally crossed the Russian border, or whose visa or other migration documents have been canceled would be eligible for the plan, reports TASS, citing the ministry’s draft law.
During the full-scale war in Ukraine, Russian military personnel transported former Ukrainian prisoners to Russia, after which they were accused of violating migration laws in Russia. These men are trying to leave Russia for Georgia, but many are left stranded at the border for days or weeks before being allowed in.
In recent months, Russian authorities have been more actively offering nationals from Central Asian countries expedited citizenship in exchange for signing a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry. Additionally, the police have been detaining migrants who have gotten Russian citizenship and taking them to military enlistment offices.
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