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Russia is facing a serious labour shortage, and its answer might just be India. Officials are preparing to welcome up to 1 million Indian workers by the end of 2025, as confirmed by Andrei Besedin, head of the Ural Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This move is part of a larger strategy to recruit foreign workers from outside Russia’s traditional migration pool, especially as local workers join military efforts or exit industrial jobs altogether.

Let’s break down what this means for foreign workers eyeing Russia as their next destination, and which jobs are actually on the table.

Why Russia is Recruiting Foreign Workers

Russia’s labour crisis is growing. With the war in Ukraine drawing thousands of workers into military service and a declining birthrate adding pressure, many industries, especially in manufacturing, engineering, and logistics, are struggling to fill vacancies.

JUST IN: 🇷🇺 Russia plans to import 1 million Indian workers in 2025 to offset labor shortages caused by the Ukraine war.

— Discussions underway to meet workforce demand in sectors like construction & services.#RussiaIndia #Geopolitics #UkraineWar

— travelobiz (@travelobiz) July 10, 2025

Besedin noted that India is stepping in with a major labour supply. He said agreements have been made to bring Indian specialists to Russia, including the Sverdlovsk region, which is heavily industrialised.

To support the influx, a new Indian consulate is set to open in Yekaterinburg, one of Russia’s major cities in the Ural region.

Which Jobs Are in Demand in Russia?

Foreign workers from India and other countries like Sri Lanka and North Korea are being tapped to fill roles in:

1. Metallurgy and Mechanical Engineering

• Welders
• Machine Operators
• Technicians
• Factory Maintenance Staff
• Assembly Line workers
• Engineers

2. Construction

• General Laborers
• Scaffolders
• Concrete Finishers
• Electricians

3. Logistics and Warehousing

• Forklift Drivers
• Warehouse Assistants
• Distribution Coordinators

4. Retail and Supply Chain

• Store Clerks
• Inventory Staff
• Delivery Drivers

5. IT and Technical Support (Limited roles)

• Junior Developers
• Support Engineers

Major companies, such as the Samolyot Group (construction) and X5 Group (retail and logistics) and Ozon, have already begun hiring Indian workers, although initial efforts have highlighted challenges around language and cultural adaptation.

What Are the Work Visa Options?

Russia doesn’t currently offer a dedicated work visa route specifically for Indian nationals. However, the upcoming Indian consulate in Yekaterinburg is expected to streamline the process, making it easier for workers to get help with paperwork, legal requirements, and settling in locally.

Here’s a look at the main visa options most likely to apply:

1. Standard Work Visa (Type E)

This is the most common visa issued to foreign workers who have an invitation from a Russian employer.

Key Features:

• Initially valid for up to 90 days, with the possibility of extension to 1 year (and further renewals).
• Can be single or multiple-entry, depending on the contract.
• Requires an official invitation letter from a Russian employer.
• Suitable for semi-skilled jobs like construction, warehousing, retail, etc.

Who should consider it: Indian and Sri Lankan workers are recruited for short-term or entry-level roles in factories, construction, or logistics.

2. Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) Visa

Designed for professionals with advanced skills and high earnings. Comes with fast-track processing and more benefits.

Key Features:

• Requires a minimum salary of 167,000 rubles/month (~ USD 1,800).
• Valid for up to 3 years, with multiple entries allowed.
• Exempt from many bureaucratic processes, including the need for labour market testing.
• Dependents (spouse and children) can also receive visas and work permits.

Who should consider it: IT specialists, engineers, architects, and senior managers with high salaries and confirmed job offers.

3. Patent System (for Migrant Labourers)

While primarily used by workers from former Soviet countries (e.g., Uzbekistan, Tajikistan), Russia may explore similar agreements with India.

Key Features:

• Allows individuals to work legally in Russia after registering and purchasing a work permit.
• Typically used for low- or medium-skilled roles, such as domestic work, construction, or services.
• Workers must pay a monthly patent fee and register with the authorities upon arrival.

Who should consider it: If extended to Indian nationals, this would suit workers in jobs that don’t require advanced qualifications or formal contracts.

4. Seasonal Work Visa

A seasonal work visa is the best fit for jobs tied to specific projects or peak periods, especially in construction and agriculture.

Key Features:

• Valid for up to 180 days.
• Short processing time.
• Requires a contract or letter from an employer registered with Russia’s Ministry of Labour.

Who should consider it: Workers hired for seasonal construction or factory work during specific projects in 2025.

5. Business Visa (Not for Employment)

Worth noting for professionals exploring opportunities, but not valid for employment.

Key Features:

• Allows travel to Russia for negotiations, conferences, or meetings.
• Valid from 30 days to 1 year, depending on the invitation type.
• Cannot be used for paid work.

Who should consider it: Business owners, recruiters, or consultants exploring partnerships or staffing deals, not workers.

Challenges for Indian Workers in Russia

The transition won’t be easy. Russian employers have already pointed to language barriers, cultural gaps, and a lack of local work experience as major issues.

“The results haven’t been particularly successful,” admitted Samolyot Group’s operations director Alexei Akindinov, referring to a pilot project involving Indian construction workers.

Similarly, X5 Group has run into challenges hiring Indian labourers due to “basic linguistic and cultural differences,” according to company president Yekaterina Lobacheva.

Unlike workers from Central Asia who often speak Russian and are familiar with local systems, Indian and Sri Lankan workers may need tailored support.

What’s Next: Training and Integration Plans

To smooth integration, Russia’s Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs is proposing to build vocational schools in India. The idea is to teach the Russian language, workplace expectations, and technical skills before workers arrive.

The plan has gained backing from Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov, who has pledged coordination with the Foreign Ministry to fast-track this initiative.

A New Migration Route Opening?

Russia’s labour market is opening doors to foreign workers like never before. If these recruitment goals materialise, Indian workers may soon become a major part of the Russian workforce.

But for now, expect growing pains—language, cultural adaptation, and visa logistics are real hurdles. Still, for skilled or semi-skilled labourers willing to adapt, Russia could be a surprising new job market worth watching.