Russia steps up expulsions in Novosibirsk: 32 Uzbek citizens removed on October 16
Expulsions of foreign nationals from the Novosibirsk region rose about 59% in a year; Uzbek citizens make up a large share of those removed for migration violations.
The pace of expulsions of foreign nationals from Russia's Novosibirsk region has risen sharply. According to the Times of Central Asia, 1,524 foreign nationals were expelled from the region by mid-2026 — about 59% more than the 958 recorded in the same period a year earlier.
October 16
On October 16, court bailiffs removed 47 foreign nationals from the country in a single day; 32 of them were Uzbek citizens. The others included citizens of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan. Over the week, 91 people were expelled from the region.
Uzbek citizens account for a large share of those expelled: as of July, 618 of 1,314 foreign nationals (about 47%) were Uzbeks.
Fewer work patents
The rise in expulsions coincides with a fall in work patents. According to figures presented to regional lawmakers, about 27,000 work patents were issued in the first eight months of 2026, down from 34,000 a year earlier.
A "deportation regime"
In October 2025, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin described the new order that had taken effect as a "deportation regime." Under the rules, migrants must hold valid documents, registration, medical clearance and a current employment contract; those expelled face a five-year ban on re-entering Russia. As of September 1, 2025, about 770,000 migrants remained on Russia's "controlled persons" register.
Uzbekistan's response
Uzbekistan's diplomatic missions in Russia provide consular assistance to citizens in difficulty. This year, a mother and her minor child who had been detained in Novosibirsk were returned home with consular help.
