Translated with AI
On December 1, Russia began an experimental phase to test the rules and conditions for entry and exit of foreigners and stateless persons. As part of this phase, biometric personal data will be collected at all Russian border crossing points. This was stated in a corresponding Russian government decree, Gazeta.ru reports.
According to the document, the experiment began at 12:00 AM on December 1 and will run until 11:59 PM on June 30, 2026, "subject to technical feasibility" at Russian border crossing points. Its purpose is to collect biometric personal data from foreigners and stateless persons as they cross the country's border through these crossing points.
From December 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026, foreigners and stateless persons are required to submit biometrics at Moscow's Sheremetyevo , Domodedovo , and Vnukovo airports, Zhukovsky Airport near Moscow, and at the Mashtakovo automobile cargo and passenger checkpoint in the Orenburg region.
From June 30, 2025, visa-free foreigners must complete an electronic application no later than 72 hours before their planned trip to the Russian Federation.
Citizens of Belarus , children under six years of age, diplomats, and employees of international organizations with their families are exempt from mandatory biometric data collection.
Previously, more than half of Russians supported the introduction of biometric access control on school grounds.
New restrictions have also been introduced for foreigners crossing the Russian border. Now, repeated traffic violations may result in a denial of entry into the country for up to three years.
