The Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment of the Population of Tajikistan advises labor migrants traveling to Russia for seasonal work to get biometric passports.
Readers have applied to Asia-Plus saying that they cannot buy air tickets on blue-color foreign (international travel) passports. According to them, air companies refuse to sell air tickets to holders of blue-color foreign passports and they even can be withdrawn from flight.
Beginning on January 1, 2018, only holders of biometric passports will be able to enter Ukraine. Therefore, Tajik national wanting to travel to Ukraine should get biometric passports.
As it had been reported earlier, Tajik blue-color foreign (international travel) passports are no longer valid for traveling to some countries.
Tajik air companies, in particular, say Tajik blue-color foreign passports are no longer valid for traveling to the Russian Federation.
Now, citizens of Tajikistan wishing to enter Russia will no longer be able to use their blue-color foreign passports, but will instead need to produce biometric foreign passport.
The Ministry of Transport reportedly notified airlines and the Tajik Railways to prohibit selling tickets to Russia for Tajikistanis attempting to travel to Russia on blue-color foreign passports.
Meanwhile, the Tajik Embassy in Moscow says some airports in the Russian Federation now do not receive holders of extended Tajik blue-color foreign passports. “Russian border guards have revealed several passports with forged extension seals. Besides, some holders of passports with forged extension seals have been suspected of membership in terrorist organizations. Therefore, some airports in the Russian Federation, including those in Moscow, have refused to receive holders of extended Tajik blue-color foreign passports,” the source said.
Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry says it stopped issuing blank blue-color foreign passports and only biometric foreign passport are issued in Tajikistan.
Recall, Tajikistan introduced biometric passports on February 1, 2010. German Muhlbauer was granted a contract for purchase of blank biometric passports for Tajikistan. A two-stage tender for purchase of blank biometric passports and appropriate equipment, announced by the Agency for State Purchases at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was held in June 2009. On August 27, 2009, Tajik MFA and German Muhlbauer signed a contract on purchase of the blank biometric passports and appropriate equipment for Tajikistan.
Obtaining an international biometric passport in Tajikistan costs 75 U.S. dollars plus 100 somoni if it is issued in 15 days, 150 U.S. dollars plus a 100 somoni state duty if it is issued in seven days, and 225 U.S. dollars plus a 100 somoni state duty if it is issued in two days.
For comparison, obtaining an international biometric passport in Kyrgyzstan costs 6.00 U.S. dollars, and in Kazakhstan – 26.00 U.S. dollars.
