Starting December 1, Moscow airports and the Mashatkov automotive border crossing point in Russia’s Orenburg Region will implement a pilot program requiring photo and fingerprint identification for foreign nationals entering the country.
Alexander Gorovoy, Russia’s First Deputy Interior Minister in charge of migration policy, shared the news in an interview with Kommersant.
"Moscow is a major transportation hub and a key destination for foreign citizens. After testing this system, the government and the FSB will consider expanding it to all border crossings," he said.
Gorovoy believes that fingerprint and photo registration at the border will help reduce the risks posed by individuals who might be a threat to Russia. Over the past year and the beginning of 2024, authorities have detected about 5,000 attempts to cross the border illegally using altered documents.
Gorovoy also mentioned that on August 8, the Russian president signed two federal laws, which will take effect on February 5, 2025. These laws grant the Ministry of Internal Affairs the authority to deport foreign nationals without a court order and establish a new migration regime for those residing illegally in Russia.
Additionally, a registry has been created to track foreign nationals residing in Russia unlawfully. These individuals will be prohibited from operating vehicles, using banking services, registering property, or enrolling children in educational institutions.
Russian authorities have also published a “list of controlled individuals” that includes over 120,000 Tajik citizens suspected of violating Russian laws.
Following a terrorist attack on March 22 at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, allegedly involving several Tajik nationals, regulations for migrants in Russia have become stricter.
Hundreds of Tajik migrants have reported being detained at Russian airports and land crossings on various grounds.
Over the first half of 2024, 17,100 Tajik nationals have been deported from Russia. Tajik authorities have voiced repeated concerns in recent months regarding the violation of their citizens' rights in Russia.
