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Since December 15, 2015, any citizen of the Russian Federation can have two foreign passports. Previously, a second foreign passport could only be obtained for work purposes. Now there are no restrictions.

When might a second foreign passport be needed?

• You gave your passport for a visa to one country, but at the same time you want to go to another.
• You need to obtain visas for two countries at the same time.
• The old passport ran out of pages, but there were still valid visas.
• For travel to conflicting countries. For example, Cyprus and Greece may refuse entry to those who have visited Northern Cyprus. After a trip to Israel there will be problems with a number of Muslim countries. The same is with Georgia and Abkhazia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, India and Pakistan.
• It’s not so scary to lose your passport while traveling (the main thing is not to carry both with you).

Old law

Registration of a second international passport has become possible for Russians since 1996. But then many restrictions were imposed on its receipt:

• In the last 3 months before applying, there must be at least 1 trip abroad from our country. This is confirmed by copies of pages with stamps.
• There is no reason to issue diplomatic documents.
• A request from the employer company to issue you a second document.

A second passport was issued for the validity period of the first one. Its main function was to provide additional pages. With frequent trips, they quickly run out, and there is not enough space for new visas and stamps. Obtaining a new passport each time and re-issuing visas is unprofitable in terms of time and material costs.

The law on a second foreign passport in this version allowed only those whose trips were related to work to receive 2 travel documents. Ordinary tourists and travelers could not take advantage of this right.

The difficulty in design was the many conventions that had to be strictly observed. So, according to the law, it was necessary to have one exit stamp for the last 3 months. It turned out that those who make long trips around the world without visiting their homeland could not obtain a second passport, since there were no necessary stamps.

Why do you need a second passport?

Russians often wonder whether it is possible to obtain a second passport in addition to their existing identity card abroad. Citizens of the Russian Federation have had this opportunity since the end of 2015. Previously, this right was available to Russians who often traveled abroad for work reasons. The document was issued after submitting an application from the place of work.

The need for a second foreign passport may arise at any time. The most common reasons for receiving a second document are as follows:

• lack of free pages and presence of visas in a valid foreign ID;
• the need to travel abroad on work matters without having a foreign passport in hand (it has been submitted for another visa permit);
• the need to simultaneously affix two visas at different foreign missions;
• the need to visit conflicting countries.

Having an open visa to Israel prevents Russians from entering the territory of some Muslim states. To enter Iran or Saudi Arabia, it is better to present another foreign ID. When entering the territory of these states, you must show different foreign passports.

If the question arises about how many foreign passports you can have in Russia, you should know that you cannot issue more than two documents.

Change of law

In December 2015, a bill on a second passport was adopted. Now anyone can get a second passport.

In addition, all other restrictions have been lifted. Now the patronage of the employer is not needed, and stamps about crossing the border for the last 3 months are also not needed.

The temporary dependence of passports has been removed. If previously the duration of the second was limited by the first, now its effect does not depend on what was received earlier. If the first one expires, it can also be replaced, leaving the second one in effect.

The only thing worth knowing is that the second passport must now be biometric.

Why get a second passport?

Obtaining a second passport if you have the first one became possible from December 15, 2015. Previously, it was mainly citizens who had the chance to take advantage of this opportunity, who could submit an application from their place of work justifying this need.

There are several reasons why a person traveling abroad may need a second passport:

• the previous certificate has run out of blank pages, but it is still valid and contains open visa stamps;
• there is a need to go on a business trip, but the foreign document is being processed for another visa;
• there was a need to paste two visa stickers at the same time in two different consulates;
• there is a possibility that the traveler will have to visit states that are either at enmity with each other or do not recognize each other’s sovereignty.

A striking example when two foreign passports are needed at the same time is an Israeli visa, which closes the road to some other Muslim countries, say, Saudi Arabia or Iran. And having two travel documents instantly solves this problem: with one passport you can make visits to Israeli territory, and with the other to Iranian territory.

What is it for?

Those who travel abroad only once a year do not need to obtain a second passport. But for avid travelers it will be a real salvation:

• Possibility to apply for 2 visas at the same time. For example, your vacation is approaching, and there are fears of not getting a visa to the desired country. You can come up with a backup plan and apply for a visa to another country at the same time. Or if your trip involves traveling through several countries, you can apply for visas at the same time. Some countries refuse to issue visas to those who already have permission to visit political opponents.
• Travelers are no longer intimidated by the rapid filling of pages. Constantly changing a passport with valid visas is inconvenient. If your plans include a trip around the world, there may not be enough space in your existing passport. For example, when traveling on a cruise ship that calls at ports in different countries, each one is stamped with an arrival and departure stamp; here a second document will save the situation.

• While your passport is in one of the embassies, you can go on a trip with a second copy.
• There are quite complex political relationships in the world now. Countries are reluctant to let in those who have visited the country of a political opponent. Many countries are reluctant to allow visitors to Iran, for example, Israel and the United States. Entry into Georgia is closed to those with an Abkhaz stamp. Knowing these political subtleties, you can travel around the world without hindrance.

Obtaining a second passport becomes necessary when planning long international routes. If you follow the subtleties of use, two foreign passports will bring great benefits to the owner.

Validity

It is important to understand such a nuance as the duration of validity of both exit ID cards. Previously, it was provided for obtaining a second passport for the validity period of the first, and nothing else.

For this reason, it was more appropriate to submit an application for the issuance of a second document immediately after receiving the first. Now, the validity periods of foreign passports are in no way connected: the second passport will be valid for the 10 years required for the biometric document, no matter when the first one expires.

In conclusion, we would like to add that a note indicating that a citizen has a second international passport is also included in the general civil identity card.

Decor

The question remains, how to get a second passport. You can contact any branch of the MFC, the Main Department of Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the State Services Portal.

The documents required for registration are the same as for obtaining your first passport:

• An application form filled out in accordance with all the rules for obtaining a biometric passport. .

  Sample application form for a new international passport

• Copies of all completed pages of the general passport and its original.
• A copy of the work record, certified by the HR department at the workplace.
• Two photos to paste into the application form.
• Men of military age need a certificate from the military commissariat.
• A receipt confirming payment of the state fee. In 2021 it is 3,500 rubles. . Download the sample for Moscow here. Download additional forms: if there is not enough space to enter data on changes in personal data - ; if there is not enough space to enter information about your place of work - .

When filling out the form, you must indicate that you want to receive a second document in addition to the one you already have.

How to submit an electronic application

First of all, you need to register on the site. To do this, we enter our primary data: full name, email and phone number. A special code will be sent to your email, after entering it we will come up with a password for access - now you can enter more detailed information.

The full range of services will become available after filling out your passport details and pension ID number. Verification of the information provided may take several days or a couple of hours - it depends on the current workload of employees.

During the check, you need to prepare all the necessary documents; they will be needed to fill out the application form for a foreign passport. In the “Government” tab. You can only choose this option as the second one. By clicking “Order a service”, we go to the questionnaire.

All lines in the application must be filled out. We carefully check the data for errors.

You can fill out the questionnaire for men here. Fill out the questionnaire for women - here. Fill out the questionnaire for children - here.

If there is a discrepancy with the information in the general passport, the application will be rejected and you will have to fill out everything again. You must upload an electronic photograph of the established sample in JPEG format with the application form.

Sample of filling out an electronic application form for a foreign passport

You can independently choose the method of notification about the consideration of the application: by phone, email, or only to your personal account. If the application status has changed to “accepted,” it means that you will soon be invited to the selected branch to submit the original documents. At the same stage, a digital photograph is taken and fingerprints are scanned.

When everything is ready, you will receive a notification again. All that remains is to get your foreign passport.
To obtain it, you only need to show a civilian ID card.

How to get a second passport

The procedure for obtaining a second international passport is no different from the procedure for obtaining the first OPP, but still has some features.

The first thing you should pay attention to is the document type.

The second OPP can only be biometric, regardless of what type - old or new - the first passport is.

Another important point is the emphasis on the fact that the second passport is in addition to the existing one, and not in replacement. Please bring this to the attention of the employee responsible for receiving documents. Otherwise, the current document will be cancelled.

There are three ways to apply for a second OPP:

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• in the migration department of the territorial division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
• through “single window” technology in the multifunctional center (“My Documents”);
• on the government services portal.

Despite the availability of the OPP, the decision to issue another passport will be made after a thorough study of the personal information provided, so documents for a second passport will still be required. In particular, we are talking about such papers as:

• application form (2 copies);
• general passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• existing foreign passport or a copy thereof;
• a document confirming attitude to military service for young people aged 18 to 27 years;
• permission from the command for military personnel;
• photo for the application form. When submitting documents to the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a photograph is taken on the spot;
• receipt of payment of state duty.

More information about the procedure for submitting and filling out documents can be found in the article “How to obtain a foreign passport.”

How to replace a passport

It is better to start the procedure for replacing a foreign passport at least three months before the expiration date. This is because many countries cannot be entered or issued a visa with a passport that is nearing its expiration date. It must be valid for another 3 or 6 months after the end of the trip. Failure to comply with the rule may result in trip cancellation.

Six months before the end of the period, you need to begin the procedure for replacing the document in the case of the biometric option.

Some countries do not allow people into their territory whose passports have few free pages left. They require that after their visa is issued there are still 2-3 blank pages left. Our citizens, who actively travel and work in different countries, quickly fill out passports with stamps. They need to replace this document more frequently. For such citizens, the foreigner is replaced on a general basis and according to the standard procedure.

So, a citizen of the Russian Federation has the right to apply for two foreign passports at the same time. The terms of receipt and the procedure for registration remain generally accepted. Both documents have legal force and are accepted in all countries of the world.

Waiting time for obtaining a second passport

The period for obtaining a second foreign identity card does not depend on the availability of an existing passport.

If a person submits an application at the place of registration, the waiting period will be one month. If this issue is addressed at a location other than your place of registration, the wait may take up to four months.

The deadlines for issuing biometric passports are periodically violated. The fact is that the forms for these documents are produced by the only enterprise in the country - the Goznak factory. Due to technical difficulties and the workload of the enterprise, the production of passports with electronic chips has not yet been brought to perfection, which leads to a delay in the provision of services for issuing biometric foreigners.

If you need to urgently travel to another country for treatment, surgery, visiting a sick relative or for his funeral, the period for registration of a foreigner can be reduced to three days (an old-style passport is issued). All these reasons must be confirmed.

Documents that an applicant must provide for urgent travel abroad:

1. A telegram or call informing about a serious illness or death of a relative.
2. If the applicant himself is ill, he must submit a request from the attending physician and a referral to a foreign clinic.
3. If a citizen accompanies a deceased person (for example, a foreigner who died in Russia) abroad, then a death certificate on the territory of the Russian Federation is presented.

A foreign document for a person who had or has access to state secrets and has received the appropriate permission is issued within 90 days.

The validity period of international passports does not depend on the number of passports a person has. The second foreigner is always biometric and is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. An old-style passport remains valid for 5 years.

Some indirect circumstances may affect the validity of the passport. For example, some states require that a citizen's passport be valid for several months after completion of the trip. This situation leads to the need to replace a foreign identity card 3-6 months before the document’s expiration date.

Despite the fact that a citizen already has one passport, the state fee still needs to be paid. When paying through the State Services website, the cost is reduced by 30%. The price of a passport for an adult applicant will be 3,500 rubles, and for a child under 14 years old - 1,500 rubles.

Having a second foreign document will help out in a situation when you need to go abroad with the whole family. The child’s data can be entered into the old passport, and a personal biometric document can be issued for the child when he is old enough. After all, it is not possible to enter a child into a parent’s biometric passport, but in the old one this function is still valid.

Why might a second passport be useful?

A second international passport opens up a lot of opportunities for Russians. For example, with it you can:

1. Simultaneously obtain visas to different countries at two Consulates at once.
2. Travel while one passport is being processed for a visa at the Consulate.
3. Reduce the risk of unexpected expiration of the validity period of the foreign document. There will always be a second one for backup.
4. Continue to travel and get stamps if there are no more empty pages on the first certificate, but there are still open visas.
5. Take turns visiting states that are in conflict with each other and carefully checking the traveler’s passport for the presence of a stamp from an enemy country.
6. The last point is very important for active travelers. So, many people know about the conflict between Israel and the Arab states.

If there is a stamp in the passport about entry into Abkhazia, visiting Georgia is closed for this tourist

Important! If a tourist already has an Israeli stamp, the path to Muslim territories (Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia and others) is closed to him. Georgia and Abkhazia, Europe and Iran are in conflict with each other. And the holder of a second passport can visit these countries with different documents without fear of prohibitions.