Foreign ministry warns about new rules for entering Russian Federation

Chisinau, Dec. 5 /MOLDPRES/- Moldovan citizens who will travel to the Russian Federation by land and through air border crossings will be subject to the biometric data collection procedure, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) warns. Russian authorities have introduced new requirements applicable to foreign citizens and stateless persons crossing the border of the Russian Federation, both on entry and exit, as of December 1, 2024.

According to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1510 of 07.11. 2024, starting December 1, 2024 until June 30, 2025, all foreigners and stateless persons crossing the state border of the Russian Federation through the air crossing points at the international airports Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo (Moscow), Jukovschii (Moscow region), as well as through the land crossing point Maștacovo (Orenburg region) will be subject to the procedure of taking biometric data. This involves collecting facial image (photography) and fingerprints (dactyloscopy).

From June 30, 2025 until June 30, 2026, an additional requirement will be introduced: foreigners and stateless persons crossing the border of the Russian Federation through the same crossing points, and not requiring an entry visa, will be obliged to register in the identification and authentication system. A declaration on the purpose of entry into the Russian Federation and indication of the place of stay (domicile) will have to be submitted.

In the context of the changes, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises persons who intend to travel to the Russian Federation or to other states, but who will transit through the territory of the Russian Federation (including through the mentioned crossing points), to plan their travel taking into account the new requirements imposed by the Russian authorities.