U.K., Denmark, Myanmar, Namibia citizens to undergo biometric collection for obtaining Russian visas

MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Russian representations in some countries begin a test project on biometric collection for obtaining Russian visas. The experiment begins at embassies and consulate sections in the UK, Denmark, Myanmar and Namibia, and complies with President Putin’s order on collection of biometric data of foreign citizens and stateless persons. The biometric collection will be organised also at the border crossing in Moscow’s Vnukovo international airport for citizens of all countries and for stateless persons upon their applications for visas. “As the pilot project is over, the procedure of biometric collection will be organised at all Russian diplomatic representations and consular services,” Russia’s foreign ministry said. “As for citizens of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, the biometric collection will be made on the reciprocity basis.” “If an applicant refuses from the procedure, he or she will not obtain a visa,” the foreign ministry said. “The procedure of collecting fingerprints does not mean Russia is introducing tougher regulations for the visa policies, it is rather an element of their modernisation,” the ministry said. “Additional biometric data has been used for several years already by consular services of the U.S. and the UK. The EU countries plan to introduce the procedure for Russian citizens in April of the coming year.” “The main purpose of the new procedure is to have additional protection of the visas in the context of illegal migration, terrorist and other illegal activities,” the Russian foreign ministry said. Read more