Consequences of unauthorized work

This page is for Turkish citizens working in Russia without a work permit or outside the scope of their permit, and for employers who hire them. Because Turkish citizens enter Russia with a visa, they cannot work with a patent; a work permit or residence permit is required to work (see R3.1). Below you will find what is considered "unauthorized work," the current fines, the new amounts that will enter into force on November 3, 2026, and the consequences of deportation and an entry ban.

• Working without a permit when a work permit is required. Starting work while the permit application is still pending is also covered; the law allows work only when a permit is held.
• Working in a job or position other than the profession or duties stated in the work permit.
• Working outside the region where the permit was issued (federal subject):
  • a work permit is valid only in the region where it was issued
  • a temporary residence permit (РВП) holder may also work only in the region where the permit was issued
• Entering with a tourist, business, or student visa and working in a job that does not correspond to the purpose of the visa. This is also a violation involving "the mismatch between the declared purpose of entry and the actual activity."
• Failing to apply on time when the information in the work permit must be changed (a separate and less serious violation).

• People with a residence permit (ВНЖ) in Russia: they may work anywhere in Russia without a work permit.
• People with a temporary residence permit (РВП): they may work without a permit, but only in the region where the РВП was issued (see R4.1).
• Students studying in Russia may work under the conditions established by law (during holidays, at their school, or outside class hours in a full-time program) (see R5.2).
• Other exceptions (accredited journalists, technical personnel performing warranty installations, etc.): see R3.1.

• General rule: a fine of 2,000–5,000 rubles. The court may add deportation (административное выдворение).
• In Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow Region, and Leningrad Region: a fine of 5,000–7,000 rubles and mandatory deportation.
• Second offense within 1 year: 5,000–7,000 rubles and mandatory deportation. In this case, the option of "controlled voluntary departure" is not applied; you will be forcibly deported.
• Failure to apply on time to change information in the permit: 4,000–5,000 rubles.
• Activity contrary to the purpose of the visa (Article 18.8, Part 2): 2,000–5,000 rubles; deportation may be added. In Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the two surrounding regions, the fine is 5,000–7,000 rubles.

• Federal Law No. 294-FZ dated August 4, 2026, enters into force 90 days after its official publication, on November 3, 2026. New amounts for workers:
  • unauthorized work (general rule): 4,000–7,000 rubles; deportation may be added
  • Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow and Leningrad Regions: 7,000–9,000 rubles and deportation
  • repeat offense within 1 year: 7,000–9,000 rubles and deportation
  • failure to change information in the permit on time: 6,000–7,000 rubles
• The same law also increases the amounts under Article 18.8:
  • activity contrary to the purpose of the visa and violation of stay rules: 4,000–7,000 rubles
  • the same violation in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and the two surrounding regions: 7,000–9,000 rubles

• Employing a foreigner without a work permit, outside the profession stated in the permit, or without the employer's authorization (КоАП Article 18.15, Parts 1–2):
  • if the employer is an individual: 2,000–5,000 rubles
  • authorized official (должностное лицо): 25,000–50,000 rubles
  • company (legal entity): 250,000–800,000 rubles or suspension of activities for 14–90 days
• Failing to notify the Interior Ministry within 3 business days that an employment contract with a foreigner was concluded or terminated (Part 3):
  • individual: 2,000–5,000 rubles; official: 35,000–50,000 rubles; company: 400,000–800,000 rubles or suspension of activities
• The same violations in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow and Leningrad Regions (Part 4):
  • individual: 5,000–7,000 rubles; official: 35,000–70,000 rubles; company: 400,000 rubles–1 million rubles or suspension of activities
• Under the law, "employing" means allowing a foreigner to start work in any form. If more than one foreigner is employed without authorization, the penalty is imposed separately for each person.
• From November 3, 2026, the amounts for individual employers will be 4,000–7,000 rubles, or 7,000–9,000 rubles in the four regions.
• See R3.1 regarding the employer's obligation to pay the deportation costs of a foreigner employed in violation of the rules.

• Deportation is an administrative penalty. The decision is issued by a court or an authorized body specified by law.
• There are two forms:
  • forced deportation (принудительное выдворение): the decision is implemented immediately; the person may be held in a special facility for foreigners until departure
  • controlled voluntary departure (контролируемый самостоятельный выезд): you or the inviting party pays the costs; you must leave the country within 5 days after the decision becomes final
• When making the decision, your length of stay in Russia, family status, tax payments, income and housing, occupation, compliance with the law, and citizenship application are taken into account.
• The fine imposed together with deportation must be paid on the day after the day the decision becomes final. For other penalties, the period is 60 days.
• The deadline for appealing the decision is 10 days from the date it is served on you. For appeals and your rights, see R10.2.

• If you were deported: entry into Russia is prohibited for 5 years. If you were deported two or more times, the ban is 10 years.
• Even if you were not deported: if you were penalized two or more times within 1 year for violating migration or work rules, a 5-year entry ban applies from the date the latest decision becomes final.
• If there is an unpaid fine, tax, or deportation expense, entry into Russia will not be permitted until it is paid in full.
• Work permits: a work permit is not issued to people deported within the last 5 years or deported twice within the last 10 years (see R3.1).
• Residence permits: for the same reasons, temporary residence permits and residence permits are not issued, and any already issued are cancelled. Two administrative penalties within 1 year are also grounds for refusal (see R4.1, R4.2).
• Citizenship: a citizenship application by a person subject to an entry ban will be rejected (see R4.4).
• See R2.4 regarding the registration of foreigners who no longer have a legal basis to stay in Russia in the register of "controlled persons."

1. Obtain a written copy of the decision. The appeal period begins when the decision is served. If you do not know Russian, request an interpreter and understand what you are signing before signing.
2. Consult a lawyer. Deportation decisions can be appealed within 10 days (see R10.2 and R10.5).
3. Notify the Turkish mission. If you have been detained or a deportation decision has been issued, call the duty line of the Embassy or Consulate General (below).
4. Pay the fine on time and keep the receipt. An unpaid fine means an entry ban until it is paid. You can check enforcement files concerning you in the database of the Russian Federal Bailiff Service (ФССП).
5. Comply with the departure deadline. Under a controlled voluntary departure decision, leave the country within 5 days.
6. After returning to Türkiye, note the date on which the entry ban ends; make sure the ban has ended before applying for a new visa.

• Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Moscow — all of Russia except the areas served by the Consulates General in Kazan, Krasnodar, and St. Petersburg
  • Address: 7 Rostovskiy pereulok 12, 115127 Moscow
  • Switchboard: +7 495 994 48 08 · Consular switchboard: +7 495 994 93 59 (consular information 14:30–18:00)
  • Duty telephone (weekdays 18:00–09:00 and holidays): +7 906 770 11 90
  • Public hours: 09:00–13:00 · Email: embassy.moscow@mfa.gov.tr
• Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Kazan — Tatarstan, Mordovia, Bashkortostan, Chuvashia, Mari El, and Samara Region
  • Address: Ulitsa Maksima Gorkogo 23/27, 420015 Kazan
  • Telephone: +7 843 299 53 10 / +7 843 299 53 11 · Duty: +7 937 524 93 17
• Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in Krasnodar — Krasnodar Krai, Rostov Region, and Adygea
  • Address: Ulitsa Severnaya 369, 350002 Krasnodar
  • Telephone: +7 861 214 12 51 · Duty: +7 918 632 54 92
• Consulate General of the Republic of Türkiye in St. Petersburg — St. Petersburg, Leningrad Region, and the Northwestern regions
  • Address: 7-ya Sovetskaya Ulitsa 24, 191036 St. Petersburg
  • Switchboard: +7 812 577 18 12 · Consular information (weekdays 14:00–18:00): +7 812 577 44 69 · Duty: +7 933 340 91 33
• Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Call Center (24/7): +90 312 292 29 29

• Starting work before receiving the permit just because a work permit application has been submitted.
• Assuming that a business visa is a "work visa." A business visa is for purposes such as business meetings; a work permit is required to work under an employment contract.
• Working at a construction site in Moscow Region with a work permit issued in Moscow. Moscow city and Moscow Region are separate federal subjects.
• Working in another region with an РВП.
• Assuming that a fine imposed together with a deportation decision can be paid within 60 days. The deadline for this fine is the day after the decision becomes final.
• Ignoring a small unpaid fine. Entry into Russia is prohibited until it is paid.
• Calculating using the old amounts after November 3, 2026.

• Will I definitely be deported if I am caught for the first time? Yes, deportation is mandatory in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Moscow Region, and Leningrad Region. In other regions, the court decides whether to add deportation to the fine.
• When can I return to Russia after being deported? As a rule, after 5 years. If you were deported two or more times, after 10 years.
• I was only fined and not deported. Will this affect my future applications? It may. Two or more penalties within 1 year for migration or work violations are grounds for a 5-year entry ban and refusal of residence permits.
• My employer said, "I will obtain the permit; you start working." Who is responsible? Both of you. The worker is penalized separately under Article 18.10 and the employer under Article 18.15.
• I am a student; will working part-time count as unauthorized work? Yes, if you work outside the student exceptions provided by law. See R5.2 for the conditions.
• Can I pay the fine from Türkiye? Entry will not be permitted until the fine is paid in full. Learn the payment method from the authority that issued the decision and keep the receipt.

• КоАП Article 18.10: unauthorized work (current text)
• КоАП Article 18.15: penalties for employers who employ foreigners without authorization
• Federal Law 294-FZ: new penalty amounts from November 3, 2026
• Federal Law 114-FZ Article 27: grounds and periods for entry bans
• ФССП: checking enforcement files concerning you
• Embassy of Russia: entry ban information
• Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular appointment system