Starting from January 20, 2026, for entry into the specified countries, Russian citizens under the age of 14 will be required to have a foreign passport. The changes concerning the Federal Law "On the Procedure for Leaving the Russian Federation and Entering the Russian Federation" come into effect on this date. Children who are already abroad before January 20 will be able to return to Russia using their birth certificate.
The new rules apply to all minors, regardless of who accompanies them. At the same time, people over 14 years old and adults can still cross the border using their internal Russian passport.
Previously, children under 14 did not need a foreign passport for trips to the specified countries. Sergey Krivonosov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Tourism, explained that unified rules were introduced to prevent cases of illegal export of children abroad and to align procedures with modern border control standards.
Considering that the process of obtaining a foreign passport may take time, parents are advised to take care of obtaining it for their children in advance if they have planned trips to the specified countries after January 20.
An application for a foreign passport can be submitted to the migration authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, at the MFC (Multifunctional Center), or through the "Gosuslugi" portal.
To obtain a foreign passport for a child, the following set of documents is required:
an application for a foreign passport; a receipt for payment of the state duty; a birth certificate with a note on Russian citizenship; a document confirming registration at the place of residence or stay; the passport of one of the parents or guardians; for children over 14 years old - the child's passport; if available - details of the current foreign passport; if required - documents regarding the child's name change.
If a child is traveling without both parents, a notarized consent from one of the legal representatives is required, specifying the duration and country of the trip, as well as information about the child and the accompanying person. If the child is traveling with one parent, consent from the other is not required unless there is an official exit ban. In cases where the child's surname and the parent's surname do not match, it is recommended to carry a document confirming the family relationship. Maria Zakharova, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advises Russians to immediately obtain a foreign passport for children to avoid potential problems when leaving.
Lawyers interviewed by RBC also recommend bringing the child's birth certificate on trips, even after January 20. This may be useful for obtaining medical assistance abroad or for confirming kinship. Yevgeny Korchago, chairman of the law firm "Korchago and Partners," noted that while leaving Russia without a foreign passport is impossible, border guards in other countries may allow passage using a birth certificate.
These measures are aimed at protecting children from illegal export, as criminals may use fake or someone else's documents that lack a photograph, as stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Source: RBC
