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Entry of foreign citizens into the Russian Federation: collection of biometric data and application for entry
27.11.2024
On 1 December 2024 an experiment will begin involving the collection of biometric data for the creation of digital profiles of foreign citizens, and from 30 June 2025 foreign citizens entering Russia without visa will be required to submit an application for entry into Russia.
Additional measures have been put in place with a view to strengthening control over foreign citizens, combating illegal migration and preventing the presence in Russia of untrustworthy persons who are banned from entering the country, including where they have changed their personal details.
Similar practice is applied in other countries.
We hope that the additional control measures will help achieve their stated purpose and will not result in longer queues at border control points.
Experiment involving the collection of biometric data for the creation of digital profiles of foreign citizens
From 1 December 2024, Moscow’s four airports (Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky) and the Mashtakovo border crossing point in the Orenburg region will conduct an experiment involving the collection of biometric data of foreign citizens entering the country[1] (photographing and fingerprinting). From 30 June 2025 the new rules will be rolled out to all of Russia’s border crossing points.
The purpose of the experiment is to create digital profiles of foreign citizens and stateless persons entering the country. Among other things, this will help detect cases of illegal migration.
Biometric data will be collected for all foreign citizens (including foreign citizens entering on business visas, Highly Qualified Specialists, temporary or permanent resident permits holders and individuals entering without visa), with the exception of:
- Citizens of the Republic of Belarus
- Diplomats and members of their families
- Officials of international organizations
- Holders of service passports (visas)
- Children under 6 years of age.
Foreign citizens who entered Russia before 1 December 2024 and are in Russia during the experiment period are obliged to log their biometric personal data in the unified biometric system by 30 June 2025.
From 30 June 2025 foreign citizens in Moscow will be required to have a digital profile to access migration services and take examinations in Russian language and history and the basic principles of Russian law (required under standard work permit process).
In addition, E-cards for foreign citizens are set to become compulsory (you can read more about E-cards in the alerts linked here:
E-card for foreign citizens: pilot scheme in Moscow
As part of measures to implement state migration policy in 2024-2025, a pilot scheme is to be launched in Moscow involving the issue of electronic cards to foreign citizens and stateless persons who are temporarily resident in Russia.
01.03.2024
E-cards for HQSs in Moscow are to be issued after medical tests
The Migration Center at 18/1, Ul. Bakhrushina, Moscow, has begun issuing e-cards to all categories of temporarily staying foreign citizens when they undergo fingerprinting and photographing procedures and when they submit renewed medical test certificates.
19.08.2024
Foreign citizens entering Russia without visawill be required to submit an application to enter Russia
From 30 June 2025 foreign citizens entering Russia without visa will be obliged to submit an application to enter Russia no later than 72 hours before their planned entry (or, where a person is entering Russia for emergency medical treatment or in connection with the serious illness or death of a close relative, no later than 4 hours before their planned entry into Russia). For this purpose, they would be required to register in a special mobile app and send a relevant application through that app. The list of information to be provided in the application will be established by competent authorities.
The foreign citizen’s account will contain the following information:
- Notice of acceptance of the application
- Notice of rejection of the application together with the reasons for the rejection and a statement that the foreign citizen may complete a new application (if the original application was completed improperly or incompletely)
- Notice of whether or not entry to Russia is permitted.
Foreign citizens from visa countries are not required to submit such an application.
If the experiment ends successfully, this measure is likely to become permanent.
AUTHORS
- Ekaterina Ukhova, Partner People Advisory services
- Maria Tkacheva, Senior Manager, People Advisory services
- Maria Moskaleva, Assistant Manager, People Advisory services
- Anna Iarmosh, Senior, People Advisory services
Show references
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[1] Decree No. 1510 of the Russian Government of 7 November 2024 “Concerning the Conduct of an Experiment to Test the Rules and Conditions for the Entry into and Exit from the Russian Federation of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons”
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