St. Petersburg bans most foreigners, including Uzbekistani and Tajikistani nationals, from working as taxi drivers and couriers

St. Petersburg has officially prohibited foreign nationals from working as taxi drivers through the end of 2025, according to the city administration. Governor Alexander Beglov implemented the new rules, which target most foreigners authorized to work in passenger taxi and rental car services, as first reported by the Telegram channel Rotonda. Companies have a three-month transition period to comply with the new rules, which take effect in 10 days. “The decision is aimed at improving the quality and safety of taxi services and creating additional employment opportunities for Russian citizens,” city officials argue.

The policy, which critics denounce as racist, affects foreign nationals working under “labor patents” — a type of work authorization required for citizens of countries outside the Eurasian Economic Union, from countries including Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Citizens from these nations make up a significant portion of St. Petersburg’s 26,000 taxi drivers and 14,000 couriers. A spokesman for Russia’s Migrant Labor Union warned that the new restrictions will also likely drive up taxi costs by 10–50 percent and double delivery prices.

St. Petersburg joins dozens of regions across Russia that have restricted migrant employment since 2015. Four men, all citizens of Tajikistan according to Russian authorities, are charged with carrying out the March 22, 2024, terrorist attack in Moscow that killed 145 people. St. Petersburg’s new restrictions reflect growing xenophobia in Russian society as the country faces labor shortages due to its aging population and ongoing war in Ukraine.