Russia Requires Amina App for Foreign Workers in Moscow

As of September 1, 2025, Russia has implemented a new digital mandate for specific foreign workers residing in Moscow and its neighboring areas. Per this recent update, individuals from the following countries are now required to register their place of residence via a mobile application called Amina.

• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Georgia
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Moldova
• Tajikistan
• Ukraine
• Uzbekistan

Functionality of the Amina App

Officials describe the Amina application as a trial system. The app continuously collects geolocation information to verify that a foreign worker remains at their documented address.

If the application fails to receive the location data, the registration at that address will be automatically revoked. In that instance, the worker must register a new address using the app.

Who is Required to Register

This regulation is specifically for nationals from the indicated countries who are employed in Moscow or the Moscow vicinity. Relatives of these workers are not currently included in this requirement. Nonetheless, workers need to undergo the registration process again whenever they enter Moscow or return from travel.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

The registration is compulsory. Failure to complete it may lead to fines or even deportation in certain instances. Russian authorities have indicated they will diligently track ongoing adherence via the app.

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Implications for Foreign Workers

Moscow greatly relies on workers from Central Asia and the Caucasus, yet this new regulation introduces additional bureaucratic obstacles. While address registration is common in Russia, linking it to continuous GPS tracking is unprecedented. Migrants must ensure their phones are charged and that location services remain enabled to avoid losing their registration.

For those intending to visit or reside in Moscow under these stipulations, it’s crucial to be well-prepared.

• Install and configure the Amina app prior to arrival.
• Make certain your phone accommodates continuous GPS tracking.
• Be cautious that turning off geolocation, even inadvertently, might cause complications.

Final Considerations

Russia is progressively digitizing its migration procedures. Although the Amina app is referred to as a pilot project, it represents a shift towards broader digital oversight. Currently, workers from the specified countries entering Moscow must not disregard this new obligation.