Around 160,000 Uzbek nationals have been removed from Russia’s registry of controlled persons, a list of foreign nationals subject to potential deportation and legal restrictions. The announcement was made by Temurbek Khamidov, an attaché of Uzbekistan’s Consular and Legal Department, according to Fergana News.

Khamidov reportedly stated that over 70,000 of those individuals were delisted after regularizing their legal status with Russian migration authorities. The rest were removed for other reasons, such as leaving the country on time.

Protecting the rights of Uzbek labor migrants remains a top priority for Uzbekistan’s foreign ministry. Round-the-clock hotlines have been established at the Uzbek Embassy in Moscow and consulates across Russia to handle migrant complaints and legal inquiries.

Between January and September 2025, Uzbekistan’s diplomatic missions in Russia processed over 50,000 requests from migrants. As a result, 3,246 citizens received assistance in employment or labor dispute resolution, and 381 migrants recovered unpaid wages totaling approximately $310,000.

Additionally, 1,323 workers had their passports returned after being unlawfully seized by employers, and more than 500 received financial aid exceeding $125,000 in hardship cases.

During the same period, 84,409 citizens sought legalization advice, and 6,000 applied for international passports. Around 17,500 Uzbeks were helped to return home, including 1,929 detained in Russian deportation centers. For 1,560 of them, flights were funded by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Uzbekistan-Russia joint initiatives

Khamidov also highlighted ongoing cooperation with Russian authorities to simplify migration procedures. Discussions are underway to allow Uzbek nationals to complete mandatory tests in Russian language, history, and law prior to departure, using campuses of Russian universities in Tashkent and Jizzakh.

These issues were addressed during a meeting between Uzbek Deputy Foreign Minister Olimjon Abdullayev and Russian Ambassador Alexey Yerkhov. The talks emphasized access to education for migrants’ children, the right to work with family members, and fair enforcement of migration checks.

Russia’s registry of controlled persons came into effect on February 5, 2025, following a 2024 law passed after the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall. Individuals listed face deportation and restrictions, including bans on property registration and business operations.

Soon after the system’s launch, human rights groups began receiving complaints from foreign nationals alleging unjustified inclusion on the list, despite holding valid legal documents.