From December 1, 2024, foreign citizens and stateless persons crossing the Russian Federation’s state border will be required to provide their biometric data as part of an experimental program, the Russian Ministry of Transport reported on November 28.

Participants in the experiment include Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Digital Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport, Federal Security Service (FSB), Federal Tax Service (FNS), Federal Air Transport Agency, and the Moscow government.

The experiment will be conducted in two phases, concluding on June 30, 2026.  The first phase began on December 1, 2024.

During this phase, all foreign citizens entering or exiting Russia through international airports Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky, and the Mashtakovo automobile checkpoint in the Orenburg oblast will undergo biometric data collection at border points.

In the second phase, starting June 30, 2025, visa-free foreign citizens can pre-register in the unified identification and authentication system using a mobile app.  They can submit real-time photographs, upload biometric data, and provide travel purpose information.  This system will apply to all border crossing points.

Notably, these changes will not affect citizens of Belarus, children under six years old, diplomats, employees of foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Russia, international organization staff accredited in Russia, or their family members.