Russia is significantly increasing the fees charged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for migration-related services, including renouncing Russian citizenship. The new legislation dramatically raises these costs, making it substantially more expensive to give up citizenship. A government official stated the fee increases are intended to influence the “quality” of immigration, implying a desire to control who leaves the country. Critics suggest the move is a further restriction on personal freedoms and a tool to discourage emigration. The changes impact not only those seeking to leave Russia but also those applying for residency or other immigration-related processes. The increased fees are expected to disproportionately affect individuals with limited financial resources. The government has not provided specific details on the exact amount of the fee increases.