Passport issuance and renewal

For frequent travelers, especially Russian citizens, obtaining a second 10-year biometric passport is highly beneficial. When applying for a Schengen or other visa, the primary passport is held at the consulate for the duration of processing (which can be 1-3 months). A second passport allows individuals to travel to visa-free countries, go on business trips, or apply for other visas simultaneously, avoiding travel restrictions during visa processing periods. Russian citizens are legally permitted to hold two valid 10-year foreign passports concurrently.

Starting January 2027, Russia is updating international passport (zagranpasport) formats. Key changes include: 1. Removal of 'Personal Code' and 'Account Record' fields. 2. Machine-readable codes updated to ICAO standards: PP (standard), PD (diplomatic), PO (official). 3. Children will no longer be listed in parents' passports; each child requires a separate passport. Existing passports with child entries remain valid until their expiration date.

Israeli citizens residing outside of Israel may face difficulties obtaining a 'Darkon' (standard Israeli passport) from consulates abroad, as it is primarily issued within Israel. Consulates typically issue biometric passports. Communication with the embassy or consulate should ideally be done via email, with response times potentially ranging from two to three weeks. Confirming passport issuance policies directly with the relevant Israeli diplomatic mission is crucial due to conflicting information often circulating.

In Moscow, it is possible to obtain replacement documents from the embassy within an hour if they have been lost or stolen. This information is based on a 2026 report.

In Russia, it is possible to obtain two biometric passports. One passport can be issued for 10 years. A second 10-year passport can be applied for after the first is obtained or if the first is lost. Alternatively, a 5-year passport can be obtained as a temporary measure while a 10-year passport is being processed. Non-biometric passports are typically invalidated upon the issuance of a new biometric passport.

Crossing the Russian border with a child's passport issued before the age of two, when the child is now five, may lead to issues. While notarization can increase the chances of passage, it is not guaranteed. Border officials might allow entry with a warning to obtain a new passport for future travel. It is advisable to secure a new passport in advance to prevent potential entry denial.

Biometric appointment availability in Moscow. Next available appointment: September 14, 2026. Available time slots for this date: 10:45 (1 place), 11:15 (10 places), 12:15 (10 places), 13:15 (13 places), 14:00 (15 places), 15:00 (17 places), 16:00 (8 places). Additionally, there are slots available on September 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, and 29, 2026.

In Russia, children can only be inscribed into a parent's old-style (5-year) foreign travel passport; this procedure is not available for new biometric (10-year) passports. The process is typically conducted at a passport office (not MFCs) and takes approximately one week, though expedited processing may be possible under urgent circumstances.

A Russian foreign passport remains valid for its full stated term, even if the holder's internal Russian passport becomes invalid (e.g., upon reaching age 45). However, it is strongly recommended to renew the foreign passport before the internal passport expires. This is due to the difficulty of obtaining a new foreign passport if the current one is lost and there is no other valid internal or foreign identification document.

When applying for a Schengen visa, Russian citizens can use their existing valid internal passport for the application process. After the visa is issued in the international passport, they may replace their internal passport (e.g., due to age) and travel with the new internal passport, provided the international passport with the visa remains valid. It is crucial that the internal passport is valid at the time of application. If personal data changes after application, it is advisable to keep a copy of the old internal passport for potential border checks or additional verification.

Traveling to Russia after a legal name change in Germany presents complexities. While entry into Russia might be possible with a Russian passport bearing the old name, exiting can be problematic. It is crucial to update your name in your Russian passport within six months of the change. Failure to do so will result in a citizenship verification process, which can take approximately six months. Proper translation and notarization of relevant documents are also necessary for official procedures.

According to Russian Government Decree No. 2267 (2023), an internal Russian passport remains valid for 90 days after reaching the age of 20 or 45, or after a name change, until a new passport is issued. However, for crossing borders (even to Belarus), border guard practices may vary, and it is highly recommended to have a valid, updated document to avoid potential entry denial or local administrative disputes.

In France, individuals typically retain their birth surname (nom de naissance) throughout their life, with the option to use their spouse's surname (nom d'usage) in daily life. All administrative documents will primarily reflect the birth name. Attempting to change one's surname universally across all documents (both Russian and French) to match the spouse's can lead to significant administrative complications due to differing legal systems and transliteration issues. These problems may arise with identity verification, inheritance, diploma validation, and border crossings. It is generally advised to maintain the birth surname on official documents and use the spouse's surname as a 'nom d'usage' when preferred.

When applying for a new-generation biometric passport in Russia (specifically St. Petersburg), if online slots for the MVD are unavailable, visit a Multifunctional Center (MFC). Even if a previous application was started via Gosuslugi and suspended, MFC staff can often handle the biometric capture and documentation process directly via walk-in or local queue.

The official processing time for a 10-year biometric Russian passport is typically one month. However, actual completion times vary, with some applicants receiving it in as little as two weeks post-MVD visit (e.g., Leningrad region), while others wait up to five weeks (e.g., Rostov-on-Don), even if initially warned of longer delays. The wait time for an appointment to submit documents can add another month to the overall process.