Resources for employers in Russia
Resources for employers in Russia
We use "refugees" to encompass forcibly displaced people with different legal statuses, such as refugees, subsidiary protection holders, temporary protection holders, asylum seekers, and other people in need of international protection.
In cases where differentiating information relating to each status is essential (i.e. regarding the right to work), this is clearly indicated.
Why hire refugees and stateless people in Russia?
The Russian Federation hosts many displaced people and refugees from Ukraine and other countries. Refugees from Ukraine have access to an accelerated procedure for legal and socio-economic integration. Facilitated processes, such as working without a work permit, language support may help refugees quickly integrate into local society and secure dignified employment.
Employers have an essential role to play by opening their doors to forcibly displaced talent and creating suitable conditions for them to thrive in their new positions. Hiring refugees has proved to help address labour shortages and skills gaps, build a more diverse workforce, and support integration.
View the brochure for employers, "How to formalize labour relations” by the “Faith, Hope, Love” charitable organization (in Russian)
A good example
Medicine is more than a job, it's a calling. That's what a former refugee from Afghanistan, who has already acquired Russian citizenship, a general practitioner whose story inspires and shows how dreams become reality, believes. Today, she works in an outpatient clinic, helping patients and contributing to health care. Her path into the profession was made possible by the DAFI scholarship program, which opens doors for young refugees who want to pursue higher education. She is not afraid of professional challenges, some time ago she took part in a TV show for young medics, where they, under the guidance of an experienced mentor - an honored diagnostician - go to the Russian countryside to treat people. You can watch the show with Kuchai here.
Some positive integration stories can be also found in the cookbook which was a special UNHCR project to demonstrate values of intercultural communication through cooking (in Russian).
How many refugees and stateless people are there in Russia?
As of mid-2024, 1,226,747 refugees reside in Russia, the vast majority of whom are from Ukraine (1,223,794) and 2,953 from other countries (Afghanistan, Palestine, Syria, etc.) There are also 813 asylum-seekers and 91,482 stateless people.
As of mid-2024, there were approximately 91,483 recorded stateless people and people of undetermined nationality in the Russian Federation.
Visit the Refugee Data Finder to learn more
What are the main challenges?
The main challenges include 1) reluctance of employers to hire refugees allegedly due to legislative requirements related to formal employment of foreigners, e.g. requirement to notify the authorities about conclusion/termination of the labour contract with a foreigner and subsequent bureaucratic procedures and insufficient awareness of employers about the right of refugees to carry out labor activities, 2) lack of knowledge of the Russian language and low availability of free Russian classes, as well as free skills training for refugees, 3) difficulties in accessing formal employment in the area of professional experience of the individual, 4) low salaries in available jobs, 5) lack of opportunities for refugees to register as unemployed and receive unemployment benefits, 6) availability of self-employment registration not for all refugees.
Read the most recent monthly updates by UNHCR in Russia
| Status | Who it applies to | Right to work? | |
| Asylum-seekers | Individuals who have applied for international protection but still have not received a decision on their application. | Asylum-seekers cannot work in the Russian Federation without a work permit. | |
| Temporary asylum | Individuals who meet the refugee definition but prefer to apply for temporary asylum or those who do not meet the refugee definition but cannot return to their country of origin due to war, violence or any other humanitarian reasons (e.g. serious health issues). | People with temporary asylum status can work in the Russian Federation without a work permit but only in the region where the person is registered as a temporary asylum holder with the migration authority. Exceptions exist for those on shift work, business trips, and those who travel daily from the place of stay to the place of work and back. | |
| Refugees | Individuals who have a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. | Refugees are allowed to work in the Russian Federation without a work permit but only in the region where the person is registered as a refugee with the migration authority. Exceptions exist for those on shift work, business trips, and those who travel daily from the place of stay to the place of work and back. | |
| Temporary residence holder | Foreign citizens and stateless people legally residing in the territory of the Russian Federation have the right to temporarily work in the country during the validity of a temporary residence permit issued for three years. | Holders of a temporary residence permit can work in the Russian Federation without a work permit and as a general rule only in the region where a temporary residence permit was granted with a few exceptions. Find out more. | |
| Permanent residence holder | Foreign citizens and stateless people who have lived in the Russian Federation for at least one year on the basis of a temporary residence permit can immediately apply for the residence permit. Several categories of individuals can apply directly for the residence permit. The permanent residence permit is issued for an indefinite time. . | Holders of a permanent residence permit can work without a work permit across the entire territory of the Russian Federation. | |
| Stateless person with temporary ID document | The temporary ID document of a stateless person is issued after the identity verification procedure for 10 years. | Stateless people with temporary ID documents can work without a work permit across the entire territory of the Russian Federation. |
For more information on the legal framework, see the UNHCR Help page for Russia
Bear in mind
Ukrainian citizens can work in the Russian Federation without a work permit after undergoing fingerprinting, photographing and a medical examination, confirmed through a document to be shown to employers. Employers are required to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs within 3 days after concluding a contract with employees. For more details, view the leaflet for Ukrainians by the “Faith, Hope, Love” charitable organization (in Russian), brochure for employers and a relevant section available on the all-Russian employment-related portal.
How do I connect with refugee and stateless talent?
Employers interested in hiring refugees can use the all-Russian database of vacancies or contact the state employment service in their region. In addition, companies can contact several NGOs that work with refugees and can make referrals to suitable candidates. These include 1) the Russian Red Cross, which provides legal advice and socio-practical and psychological support for refugees, displaced and stateless people; 2) the organization “Faith, Hope, Love", which provides social and legal support; 3) the “Civic Assistance” Committee which offers consultations on obtaining refugee or temporary asylum status in Russia, primary consultations with a general practitioner, humanitarian and psychological assistance. For more information view UNHCR Help page for Russia.
What can I do to support refugee and stateless employees?
Companies can take several measures to facilitate refugees' and stateless peoples’ access to suitable employment and their ability to progress in their careers. For example, employers can make special provisions for forcibly displaced people who do not speak Russian and review language requirements in vacancies. Companies can also provide subsidies for Russian language learning and skills training. In addition, employers should ensure that they are hiring candidates for jobs that match their skills and experience and provide suitable remuneration with a long-term contract where possible.
Useful resources
Database of vacancies
To search for vacancies, you can use the all-Russian database of vacancies or contact the state employment service at the place of stay .
“Skills for Employment” toolkit prepared by IKEA with best practices on how employers can open employment pathways for refugees
A report by the TENT partnership for refugees on “How Hiring Refugees Helps Brands: Europe (2023)”
A series of podcasts featuring refugee stories by UNHCR Russian Federation