The Cabinet of Ministers has approved an experiment on biometric data submission by foreigners when entering Russia from the beginning of December, according to a decree published on the legal information portal on December 1.

From December 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026 in Moscow airports “Sheremetyevo”, “Domodedovo”, “Vnukovo”, Moscow Region airport “Zhukovsky”, as well as at the checkpoint “Mashtakovo” foreigners and stateless persons entering Russia will be required to submit biometric data.

In case of visa-free entry to the territory of the Russian Federation during the specified period, citizens of other countries will be able to upload their photos and biometric data to a special application, the decree notes.

The experiment will not affect citizens of Belarus, children under six years old, employees of diplomatic missions and consular offices, officials of international organizations accredited in Russia, as well as members of their families.