Passport issuance and renewal

Foreign passports in Russia are issued on FNS forms with a 'wet' stamp. They are only made in Russia and cannot be obtained through consulates abroad.

Travel out of Russia to Moldova with an expired Russian international passport is not possible via direct flights. Using internal Russian passports to transit through Belarus to the EU (Lithuania) is a risky scheme that has become significantly more restricted since April 2026. Border services may refuse exit without a valid international travel document. Always check current border regulations before departure.

To track the status of a Russian international passport application, one can typically receive SMS or email notifications upon completion. In cases of high demand, specific details about the pickup location (date, time, and office) may be available. While there are reports of delays in passport issuance, personal experiences suggest that passports can be processed faster than the stated timelines. If delivery services do not contact you to arrange pickup, it's advisable to inquire about the passport's location, especially if you are outside of Russia.

The Moldovan Embassy in Moscow operates Monday to Friday. Document submission is typically in the morning (before 12 PM), and passport collection is from 3 PM to 5 PM. The processing time for a 'white passport' (likely referring to a temporary or travel document) for a six-month-old child is generally around one day; submission in the morning allows for collection in the afternoon. Matte photos are usually required.

Brazilian citizens in Moscow can renew their passports following a specific procedure. Applications and forms can be completed in advance. However, scheduling an appointment for the new passport is only possible once the current passport reaches its one-year mark. The in-consulate processing time is approximately 40 minutes. It is recommended to prepare documents early but adhere to the scheduling timeline based on the current passport's anniversary.

Russian citizens born in Crimea (with Ukraine specified as birthplace) and holding Russian passports issued after 2014 face varying entry risks into Georgia. Passports issued by МВД units with codes corresponding to Krasnodar Krai (e.g., 23107) are generally accepted, even if the passport was obtained in Crimea. However, passports issued by МВД units directly located in Crimea (e.g., code 23103 for Kerch) carry a 50/50 chance of denial of entry without further explanation. It is advisable to replace such passports with ones issued in mainland Russia if possible, to mitigate risks.

Russian 10-year biometric passports allow usage of e-gates at Bali airports (Ngurah Rai), significantly speeding up the entry process compared to 5-year non-biometric passports, which require manual processing at immigration counters.

For Russian citizens with a travel ban issued by the FSSP (Federal Bailiffs Service), the ability to fly from Moscow to Minsk is uncertain. While bans related to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) might prevent boarding, FSSP-related bans are sometimes reported as not posing an obstacle. However, the situation is described as having a 50/50 chance of successful departure. It is advisable to verify the latest regulations and individual case specifics before travel, as information can be inconsistent.

An expired passport is considered an invalid document for international travel. Border authorities may deny entry or exit to citizens holding expired travel documents, regardless of whether they are returning to their home country. Always ensure travel documents are valid before attempting to cross the border.

Booking appointments for travel-related documents (e.g., visas, passports) in Russia can be time-consuming, especially in major cities like St. Petersburg. Smaller cities like Pskov might offer quicker appointment slots. It is crucial to book well in advance of your planned travel date (e.g., a late August appointment for a mid-September flight might be too late). Advise users to check appointment availability and processing times as early as possible.

Moldovan consulates, including the one in Moscow, observe national holidays and are closed on these days (e.g., August 27 and 31). The typical processing time for a foreign passport is approximately two months. Passport collection usually does not require an appointment; individuals can visit after 14:00 with identification. If a scheduled collection and subsequent document submission (e.g., for a child's re-registration) coincide with a holiday, suggested alternatives include: 1) collecting the passport on an earlier working day, or 2) inquiring about submitting the child's documents and delivering the passport later on the same day (e.g., after 15:15).

To obtain an emergency travel document (often referred to as a "white passport") from the Embassy of Moldova in Moscow, the procedure is as follows: Visit the embassy on weekdays between 8 AM and 12 PM. The cost is 2500 Russian rubles. Photographs (35x45 mm, matte, color, white/light background) can typically be taken at the embassy, but it's advisable to have them ready. This document is not cancelled and is still available.

A Russian internal passport is considered invalid in Kazakhstan immediately after the holder turns 45. The 90-day grace period for passport replacement does not apply abroad. If a citizen's passport expires while in Kazakhstan, they must obtain a 'Certificate of Return' (SNV) from the Russian Consulate to cross the border back to Russia.

Applying for a Russian passport at a Russian consulate in Kazakhstan involves an online application and an in-person visit for document submission, fingerprinting, and photography. The processing time is typically up to 3 months, and the cost is around 6000 KZT. A second visit is required to collect the passport.

Russian citizens can apply for a new international passport in Moscow without an appointment at 'flagship' multifunctional centers (MofK). Required documents include the internal passport, previous international passport, and military ID. Applying at a flagship office allows for immediate biometric data collection and photography. A standard processing time is approximately one month, though extra security checks (e.g., for individuals born in Ukraine) may extend this period.