Russia is set to enhance its border security by introducing biometric data collection for international visitors. Starting December 1, 2024, travelers entering Russia through major Moscow airports—Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky—will be required to provide facial images and fingerprints. This initiative aims to bolster national security and manage migratory flows more effectively.
The pilot phase of this program will run until June 30, 2026, and will also include the Mashtakovo border crossing in the Orenburg region.
By June 30, 2025, Russia plans to expand biometric data collection to all border checkpoints nationwide. Travelers eligible for visa-free entry will have the option to submit their biometric details in advance through a dedicated mobile application, streamlining the border control process.
Certain groups will be exempt from providing biometric data, including citizens of Belarus, children under six years old, accredited diplomatic and consular staff, and officials of recognized international organizations and their families.
To ensure clarity for international visitors, the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Media will release detailed guidelines on the new procedures in multiple languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Spanish, Tajik, and Uzbek, via the national public services portal.
This move aligns with global trends in adopting biometric technology for border control, similar to measures already in place in regions like the Schengen Zone. Russian officials emphasize that biometric data collection can significantly enhance security levels by providing detailed information on incoming travelers.
If the trial phase proves successful, Russia plans to make biometric data collection a permanent requirement for international visitors, reflecting a broader global effort to modernize border security while facilitating smoother entry and exit processes.