Entry at the border: migration card, biometrics, and digital registration

This page is for Turkish citizens entering Russia for the first time or returning to Russia. Since December 1, 2024, foreigners have had their facial photographs taken and fingerprints collected at the Russian border. Since June 30, 2025, a digital application period has also begun for visa-free arrivals before entry. Below, you will find what you need to prepare before setting out, what awaits you at passport control, the migration card, the ruID app, customs cash rules, and what you need to do during the first days after entry.

• If you are traveling with a visa: prepare the visa in your passport or a printout of the e-visa notification. You will show the e-visa notification to the carrier during boarding and to passport control at the border.
• If you are entering visa-free (e.g., professional drivers): you must notify your journey in advance in the ruID app or on Gosuslugi and provide biometric data.
  • The application must be submitted or amended no later than 72 hours before entry.
  • You must enter Russia within 90 days after submitting the application.
  • In documented cases such as emergency medical treatment, a close relative's serious illness, or death, the application may also be submitted 4 hours in advance.
  • You cannot notify a journey without biometric registration. You must have your photograph taken again for each new journey.
• Those who do not need to submit a ruID application: holders of diplomatic, service, and special passports and their families, those holding diplomatic or service visas, members of official delegations, and children under 6.
• The digital profile of Turkish citizens arriving with a visa is created based on the visa.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye recommends that you carry samples of the documents requested for the visa application when entering the country.

• At the border, you will be asked to:
  • present your identity document (passport)
  • have your photograph taken and fingerprints collected
• Your data is automatically compared with the information in your visa or entry application.
• An officer may ask the purpose of your journey. Under the law, the officer may ask you to show that you have enough money to cover your stay and return expenses in Russia and that you have health insurance valid in Russia.
• Additional information and documents may also be requested if you are entering visa-free with a special or service passport. If you are traveling for a meeting, carry your official assignment document with you.
• Answer questions calmly and truthfully. Providing false information about yourself or the purpose of your journey is grounds for an entry ban (see R1.1).

• Under the law, every foreigner must obtain and fill out a migration card when entering Russia.
• The migration card is a document containing information about the foreigner entering Russia and the duration of their stay, used to monitor the stay.
• Keep your migration card throughout your stay in Russia. It is surrendered at the border checkpoint upon departure.
• Carry your passport, migration card, and migration registration document with you (see R10.1).

• ruID is Russia's official mobile application for foreigners. It works with your Gosuslugi account.
• Digital profile is the collection of information about you. The profile is created based on your visa or your entry application in ruID.
• With ruID and a Gosuslugi account, you can:
  • obtain health insurance
  • make an appointment with the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs
  • notify your journeys to Russia
  • display your passport and journey information together with your passport as a QR code
• The QR code is generated automatically in the app after you cross the border and personally verify your Gosuslugi account.
• Biometric levels:
  • simplified biometrics: registered in ruID before entry, valid for 2–3 years; intended for simple operations such as transport payments
  • verified biometrics: registered at a bank, valid for 5 years; verifies your identity for high-risk operations such as banking
• Biometrics are required to obtain a mobile line (SIM card) in Russia (see R8.3).
• Download ruID only from official app stores.

• You must declare cash and traveler's checks exceeding the equivalent of USD 10,000 in total on entry and exit using a written customs declaration (пассажирская таможенная декларация).
• The declaration also asks about the source, owner, intended use, and route of the money.
• Taking cash foreign currency exceeding USD 10,000 out of Russia has been prohibited since March 2, 2022. See R1.8 for details.
• Pay attention to the rules when bringing medication (see R7.3). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye recommends that you carry prescriptions for your prescription medicines and not bring animal products.
• Customs officers may inspect your luggage. If you encounter such a request, remain calm and comply with the officer's request.

1. Migration registration (7 working days): a notification of arrival is submitted for the address where you are staying. If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel handles the registration (see R2.1).
2. Social security number (СНИЛС): if you do not have one, your information is sent to the Social Fund (СФР) after you cross the border. The number appears in your Gosuslugi account and ruID within 5 days. It is mandatory for employment in Russia.
3. Verify your Gosuslugi account: account verification is required for the QR code to be generated and for many online services (see R2.6).
4. If you arrived in Moscow (10 days): within 10 days after arrival, provide fingerprints and upload your biometric data to the state's Unified Biometric System (ЕБС). If you do not do this, you will not be able to use some government services, such as extending your period of stay.
5. Electronic foreigner's card in Moscow: you can obtain a card with a QR code from the Moscow Multifunctional Migration Center (ММЦ). The card shows your identity, registration status, purpose of visit, and length of stay.
6. Since June 30, 2026, the purpose of entry of foreigners arriving to work or study may be checked during migration procedures.
7. For medical examinations and certificate validity periods for those arriving with a work visa, see R2.3 and R3.1.

• Not printing the e-visa notification or keeping it saved on your phone.
• Losing the migration card or failing to surrender it upon departure.
• Leaving the ruID pre-application until the last minute if you are eligible for visa-free entry. The application must be submitted no later than 72 hours in advance.
• Failing to declare cash exceeding USD 10,000.
• Missing the 10-day biometric deadline in Moscow.
• Failing to renew migration registration after leaving a hotel and moving to a private residence (see R2.1).
• Trying to obtain a mobile line without providing biometrics.

• I am traveling with a visa. Do I need to apply through ruID? According to Gosuslugi, the entry application is for visa-free arrivals. The digital profile of those arriving with a visa is created based on the visa. If you open and verify your account, you can use the QR code and online services.
• Is providing fingerprints at the border mandatory? According to Gosuslugi, your photograph is taken and fingerprints are collected at the border.
• I lost my migration card. What should I do? Without delay, contact the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs migration office at your place of stay and ask what you need to do. Resolve this before setting out to avoid problems upon departure.
• What is СНИЛС used for? It is mandatory for employment in Russia and is required for many transactions on Gosuslugi.
• I am traveling outside Moscow. Does the 10-day biometric rule apply to me as well? Gosuslugi explains this rule for those arriving in Moscow. Learn about the rules in other regions from the Ministry of Internal Affairs migration office in the region where you are staying.
• What do I surrender upon departure? You surrender your migration card at the border checkpoint.

• Gosuslugi – New entry rules for Russia and ruID
• Russian Foreign Ministry – e-visa rules
• Russian Foreign Ministry – border checkpoints available for use with an e-visa
• Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union, Art. 260 – declaration requirement
• Federal Law 114-FZ, Art. 25.9 – migration card