Russia bars over 260K foreigners from entry in 2026
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has prohibited entry to Russia for more than 260,000 foreigners since the beginning of the year.
Consensus
- More than 260,000 foreigners were denied entry to Russia from January to August 21, 2026.
- The number of denied entries is 75.8% higher than for the same period in 2025.
- The main reasons for denial include prior deportation or expulsion, overstaying, providing false information, using fake documents, repeated administrative violations, and unpaid taxes or fines.
- The number of decisions to deny entry to foreigners posing a threat to public order and security increased fourfold.
- Over 13,500 such decisions were made in the first eight months of 2026.
- The ban applies to both foreign nationals and stateless persons.
Points of divergence
- The number of denied entries increased by 75.8% compared to the same period in 2015, not 2025. — vedomosti
- The Saint Petersburg City Hall issued a ban on foreign nationals with work permits from working in healthcare, hairdressing, cosmetology, retail trade, and fitness/health sectors until the end of 2026. — fontanka
- Several tens of thousands of foreigners were denied entry due to biometric data checks at borders, with around 14 million foreigners processed through biometric systems since the experiment began. — vedomosti
- Approximately 800,000 foreign nationals have been added to the registry of controlled persons. — vedomosti
- Around 100,000 migrants were deported from Russia in the first half of 2026. — vedomosti
Coverage (3 sources)
- Ministry of Internal Affairs prohibited entry to Russia for more than 260,000 foreigners since the beginning of the year — Ведомости
- Ministry of Internal Affairs calculated how many foreigners were not allowed into Russia. 75.8% more than a year ago — Фонтанка
- In eight months, entry to the Russian Federation was banned for more than 260 thousand foreigners — Интерфакс