Guide

Fines and how to avoid them

Most fines foreigners receive are for missed deadlines. Fines for migration violations increase from 3 November 2026, so it is worth getting the basics right.

By Gleb Ryvkin · Updated:

Not an official government website. MigraForma is a private reference service.

Common violations

  • late or missing registration;
  • staying on an expired visa;
  • working without a work permit or outside its terms;
  • missing the medical exam deadline;
  • fictitious registration.

Fine amounts from 3 November 2026

  • Breaking the rules of entry or stay (for example, overstaying or no registration), art. 18.8 part 1 of the Administrative Code: 4,000–7,000 roubles (was 2,000–5,000), with or without expulsion.
  • The same in Moscow, St Petersburg, the Moscow region or the Leningrad region (art. 18.8 part 3): 7,000–9,000 roubles (was 5,000–7,000), with expulsion.
  • Working without a work permit or patent (art. 18.10 part 1): 4,000–7,000 roubles (was 2,000–5,000), with or without expulsion; in Moscow, St Petersburg and their regions (part 2): 7,000–9,000 roubles with expulsion.
  • A repeat violation within a year: 7,000–9,000 roubles with expulsion.
  • A host who fails to register a foreigner (art. 18.9 part 4): 4,000–6,000 roubles for an individual, 400,000–500,000 roubles for a company — for each foreigner.
  • Source: Federal Law No. 294-FZ of 4 August 2026. The list of violations that can lead to expulsion has also grown.
Infographic: fines for foreigners in Russia from 3 November 2026 — overstaying or no registration 4,000–7,000 roubles (was 2,000–5,000), Moscow and St Petersburg 7,000–9,000 with expulsion, working without a permit 4,000–7,000, host failing to register 4,000–6,000 roubles.
Fines for migration violations before and after 3 November 2026. Infographic: MigraForma

Consequences

Besides fines, serious violations can lead to expulsion and a ban on re-entering Russia for several years. Overstaying is treated especially strictly. People with an expulsion order may be added to a register of controlled persons, which restricts everyday actions such as banking.

How to avoid trouble

  • keep a calendar with your visa, registration and medical exam dates;
  • keep copies of all slips and certificates;
  • inform your university or employer early about any change;
  • act immediately if you notice a mistake in your documents.

Related pages

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I overstay my visa?

A fine, possible expulsion and an entry ban.

Are fines changing?

Yes. From 3 November 2026 the basic fine for breaking the rules of stay or working without a permit is 4,000–7,000 roubles, and 7,000–9,000 roubles with expulsion in Moscow, St Petersburg and their regions.

Can a mistake be fixed?

Often yes, if you act quickly.

For reference only. MigraForma is a private service, not an official government website: we are not the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD), a multifunctional centre (MFC) or Gosuslugi, we do not submit documents and this is not legal advice. Rules change, so check them with the migration authorities before you apply. Information checked in October 2026.