Putin Establishes New Agency for Enhanced Oversight of Foreign Citizenship and Immigration Registration in Russia

On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin announced the establishment of a new division within the Russian Interior Ministry that will focus on citizenship issues and the registration of foreign nationals.

Previously, immigration matters in Russia were handled by an independent Federal Migration Service. In 2016, Putin integrated this agency into the Interior Ministry, creating what is now known as the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs.

The recent presidential directive forms a Service for Citizenship and Registration of Foreign Citizens within that directorate, intending to “enhance public administration in migration matters.”

This new service will be led by Andrei Kikot, a former deputy prosecutor general, who will also take on the role of first deputy interior minister.

The establishment of this service comes in response to criticisms from Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov regarding “notable deficiencies” in migration management at the Interior Ministry.

Following a deadly attack on a concert venue near Moscow in March 2024, attributed to the Islamic State terrorist organization and reportedly orchestrated by gunmen from Central Asia, Russia has implemented stricter immigration laws.