The Russian authorities have significantly cut quotas for obtaining a temporary residence permit for foreign nationals and stateless persons, according to Interfax.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed a decree aimed at cutting quotas for obtaining a temporary residence permit for foreign citizens and stateless persons for the next year by nearly a third. 

By this decree 39,325 such quotas will be allocated in 2021. 

60,270 quotas for obtaining a temporary residence permit for foreign citizens and stateless persons have been allocated this year.

83,480 such quotas were allocated in 2019, and 90,360 such quotas were allocated or foreign nationals in 2018.  

Of 39,325 quotas that will be allocated next year, the Moscow oblast will receive 2,500 quotas , Moscow – 2,000, St Petersburg -- 1,200 quotas, while Belgorod, Tula, Rostov and Stavropol regions – 1,000 quotas each.  

According to the statistical data from the Russian Interior, the number of labor migrants in Russia in September decreased by almost a quarter year on year and amounted to some 1.8 million people against 2.8 million people reported in September last year.  

People from Central Asia don't need visas to enter Russia.  But once in the country, many are unable to find legal employment, mainly because employers are reluctant to pay taxes and seek the required permits.