Foreigners applying for visas in a number of Russian consulates will be fingerprinted starting in December, in accordance with a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.
Starting on Dec. 10, those seeking visas at Russian consulates in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Myanmar and Namibia, as well as at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport, will be fingerprinted.
Russian diplomats abroad will also be required to inform the governments of their respective host countries of the new practice by Dec. 5. The order does not provide a timeline for the implementation of fingerprinting in Russian consulates in other countries, or at Russia's other international airports and border crossings.
In September, the Interfax news agency reported that Russian consulates in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Myanmar and Namibia would be implementing fingerprinting technology starting next year. The head of the Foreign Ministry's consular department, Yevgeny Ivanov, said at the time that the move was a pilot project that would help determine the feasibility of collecting biometric data at other Russian consulates. The fingerprinting is not meant to harshen visa requirements for foreigners, Ivanov said at the time.
The measure, which will also apply to stateless individuals and those applying for transit visas, comes ahead of the European Union's planned introduction of biometric data collection in 2015 for Russians wishing to travel to the Schengen Area.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
