Chipping All Migrants: Foreigners Living and Working in Russia Will Receive Chip Cards

The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has proposed to provide foreign nationals living and working in Russia with plastic cards that contain personal data and fingerprint recognition chips. This was reported by RBC.

A corresponding draft order from the ministry was published on the portal of regulatory legal acts.

According to the draft, similar plastic cards will also be issued to stateless persons as a temporary identification document. These will also be given to those stateless individuals who have permits (documents that allow foreign citizens who arrive in Russia without a visa to work for physical or legal entities).

The plastic card will contain the following information: an electronic facial photograph, images of fingerprint patterns, and a QR code. The card will also include other personal data that will help identify the owner.

The card will be usable for 10 years from the date of electronic registration of biometric personal data.