Translated with AI
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries plan to adopt a concept for a common migration space in 2026, which will allow for the development of legal migration and more effectively combat illegal migration, CIS Secretary-General Sergei Lebedev said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
"The approval process for a new version of the Concept for a Common Migration Space for the CIS Member States is currently being finalized. The document's adoption, scheduled for 2026, will facilitate the development of unified approaches to streamlining legal migration. Most importantly, the Concept will reflect a common understanding of how migration processes in the Commonwealth are regulated," Lebedev emphasized.
He noted that the development of a coordinated migration policy in the CIS takes into account global trends and is a priority area of cooperation. "Today, a coordinated migration policy in the CIS has become an important factor in the active development of cooperation between our countries. The Commonwealth has developed and is updating its legal framework, and a number of acts have been adopted regulating migration processes and issues of social and labor cooperation," the Secretary-General added.
Lebedev placed particular emphasis on Russia's role as a traditional magnet for the largest number of migrant workers. Amidst a challenging geopolitical situation, Russia is implementing legislative initiatives in the area of migration and improving law enforcement practices. Specifically, in October 2025, a new Concept of State Migration Policy of the Russian Federation for 2026–2030 was approved, the key areas of which include combating illegal migration and the organized recruitment of migrant workers.
According to Lebedev, Russia is conducting an experiment to test the rules and conditions for entry of foreign citizens (with the exception of Belarusian citizens, who enjoy the same rights as Russian citizens). This includes the introduction of new biometric identification mechanisms, digitalization of migration registration processes, and the work of foreigners with patents.
Sergei Lebedev also reported that new domestic approaches to regulating migration processes are constantly being studied and analyzed in the CIS, and mutually acceptable proposals are being developed at both the multilateral and bilateral levels.
"In particular, we note the adoption in 2024 of a new Concept for the Phased Formation of a Common Labor Market and Migration Regulation in the CIS. Work continues on the draft Comprehensive Program aimed at creating a common labor market and regulating labor migration in the CIS member states," Lebedev concluded.
