Transformation of the migration policy of the Russian Federation

   The article examines the transformation of the migration policy of the Russian Federation from the early post–Soviet reforms to the most recent conceptual documents defining the guidelines for 2026–2030. The analysis focuses on the shift from a predominantly administrative and restrictive approach towards a more complex regulatory model that combines control over migration flows with demographic objectives, labour market needs and security considerations. The key stages include the institutional formation of migration policy in the 1990s, the adoption of the Concept of the State Migration Policy of the Russian Federation up to 2025 and the subsequent revision of strategic priorities towards stronger demographic and regional dimensions. The empirical basis consists of legal acts, official policy concepts and analytical materials produced by Russian research centres, which make it possible to compare declared goals with the actual mechanisms used to implement migration policy. The article shows that the evolution of migration policy has been accompanied by increasing complexity of regulatory instruments and by growing requirements for coherence between migration, demographic, social and regional policy domains.

1. Burda, M. A. Migration Policy of the Recipient State: Strategy for Effective Public Management of External Migration in the Russian Federation: Doctor of Sciences (Dis.) / M.A. Burda. – Moscow: RANEPA, 2025. – Available at: https://www.dissercat.com/content/migratsionnaya-politika-gosudarstva-retsipienta-strategiya-effektivnogo-gosudarstvennogo-upr (Accessed 04. 01. 2026).

2. Migration policy of the Russian Federation in the coordinates of the demographic crisis / Edited by V.V. Ryazantsev. – M.: FNISC RAS, 2024. – Access mode: https://www.fnisc.ru/index.php?page_id=1198&id=10563 (date of access 06. 01. 2026).

3. Migration policy of the Russian Federation in modern conditions: areas for improvement its implementation / T.R. Bulatov. State Power and Local Self-Government. 2024. No. 02 – Access mode: https://lawinfo.ru/articles/5499/migracionnaya-politika-rossiiskoi-federacii-v-sovremennyx-usloviyax-napravleniya-soversenstvova/ (date of access 06. 01. 2026).

4. Migration policy of the Russian Federation in the coordinates of the demographic crisis of 2021–2025. Scientific works of the Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 2024. No. … – Access mode: https://www.fnisc.ru/index.php?page_id=1198&id=10563 (date of access 06. 01. 2026).

5. Migration policy of Russia: what is it, goals, concept for 2026–2030 and current laws. RBC. December 29, 2025. – Access mode: https://www.rbc.ru/base/29/12/2025/6915d7519a79478c57881c29 (date of access 07. 01. 2026).

6. Popova, S. M. Transformation of Russia’s Migration Policy: Stages, Features, Problems (1989–2023) / S.M. Popova, A.A. Yanik, S.F. Karpova. Administrative and Municipal Law. 2023. No. 4. P. 24–51. DOI: 10.7256/2454-0595.2023.4.43666. EDN: VBXQFC.

7. Regional Features of the Implementation of State Migration Policy in Russia / O.B. Khoreva, V.G. Glushkova. Finance: Theory and Practice. 2012. No. 2. Pp. 73–78. – Access mode: https://publications.hse.ru/articles/61251871 (date of access 07. 01. 2026).