Russia introduces biometric data collection for foreign citizens: new rules from December 2024

According to Russian Government Resolution No. 1510 of November 7, 2024, Russia will start collecting biometric data of foreign citizens in order to improve national security and optimize the management of migration flows. From December 1, 2024, all persons entering the country will be required to provide their biometric data, including photographs and fingerprints. Russian citizens will not be subject to these changes.

The experimental stage of data collection will cover all foreign citizens and stateless persons crossing the Russian border, with the exception of citizens of the Republic of Belarus, diplomats and their families, citizens with diplomatic or service visas, and children under 6 years of age.

The collection of biometric data will take place in two stages:

• From December 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026, data will be collected at the main Moscow airports (Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky) and at the Mashtakovo border crossing in the Orenburg region.
• From June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2026, the experiment will extend to all border crossings into Russia.

Citizens eligible for visa-free entry will be able to provide their biometric data and other necessary information in advance via a special mobile application. If a visa is required, the foreigner's data will be automatically entered into the relevant databases.

Information on the new procedure will be available on the national portal of public services in several languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik and Uzbek.

If the pilot phase of biometric data collection proves successful, the new rules could be implemented on a permanent basis. The main goal of this initiative is to create a digital profile for collecting information on foreign nationals in order to increase security in the country and improve control over migration flows.

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