Russia is introducing digital profiles for migrants starting June 30. What does this mean?

Starting June 30, 2025, a large-scale project will launch in the Russian Federation aimed at creating digital profiles for foreign citizens entering the country. This new system, based on the collection of biometric and personal data, is designed to simplify and enhance the control of migration processes.

According to information obtained from TASS, all foreign citizens crossing the Russian border at any checkpoint will be subject to mandatory fingerprinting and photography procedures. The data collected will form the basis of individual digital profiles.

The authorities have provided for the option of independently creating such a profile through a specialized mobile application called RuID – a kind of analogue to the "Gosuslugi" portal, tailored for foreign citizens. The application, currently in experimental development, will enable foreigners to notify about their arrival in Russia and gain access to various state and commercial services, such as arranging medical insurance or scheduling appointments with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Children under the age of six, employees of diplomatic missions and consular offices of foreign states in Russia, including their family members, as well as representatives of international organizations and their accredited offices in the Russian Federation along with their family members, will be exempt from the mandatory biometric data collection procedure.

The introduction of digital profiles for migrants is planned to be completed by the summer of 2025. It is expected that the new system will improve the efficiency of migration control, simplify the procedures for foreign citizens interacting with government bodies, and ensure greater transparency in migration flows.