Russia to fingerprint foreigners seeking visas starting Dec. 10, 2014

File Photo of Airplane Approaching Runway About to Land

(Interfax – November 25, 2014) Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on the collection of biometric data for personal identification of foreign citizens and stateless persons.

The decree posted on the official legal information portal says foreigners and stateless persons applying for Russian entry visas or transit visas in their travels across Russian territory will be fingerprinted starting on December 10, 2014.

The decree obliges the Russian Foreign Ministry, assisted by the Federal Security Service, to collect biometric data.

The decree says every foreign state shall be informed about the collection of biometric data of foreign citizens and stateless persons by Russia before December 5, 2014.

 

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