Comparison of old and new samples
The choice of passport type can be made by comparing their differences and conditions for obtaining:
- cost of registration (a new passport is more expensive);
- validity period (10 years for new, 5 years for old);
- production time (generally the same, delays for a new sample occur more often);
- Is urgent registration required (only possible for the old sample).
At the moment, obtaining a biometric passport is not an urgent need. The heads of the Federal Migration Service (hereinafter referred to as the FMS or the Department of Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs) constantly emphasize that the right to choose remains with the recipient.
Types of attachments to an application for a foreign passport
The administrative regulations, approved by order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia dated November 16, 2017 No. 864, provide for four types of applications that supplement the application form for obtaining a foreign identity card.
If the application form does not have enough space to indicate all places of work, all changes in the applicant’s full name, or the applicant for an old-style foreign passport wants to include children in this document, the corresponding application is filled out.
Below are the forms for each of the four applications and examples of how to fill them out.
Appendix No. 2 “Information about changes in personal data”
This application is completed if the applicant changed his last name and/or first name.
Appendix No. 2a “Information on labor activity over the last 10 years”
Appendix No. 2a is completed if the applicant has changed many jobs over the past 10 years.
Appendix No. 2b “Information about children - citizens of the Russian Federation (up to 14 years old) for inclusion in the passport
Appendix No. 2b should be completed if you wish to include children in your foreign passport. It is worth noting that this is only possible if you issue an old-style international passport. The cost of the service is 500 rubles. Data about children is not included in the biometric passport.
Production time
The production time for a new and old-style international passport is virtually no different. In fact, the “old” five-year passport is produced directly at the point of application. The biometric passport is produced at JSC Goznak. The department only sends an application for its production. After this, the application will be processed within a week, and only then the new passport, also within a week, will reach your department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Already on the spot, the transport code is removed from it and activated. At the same time, no one is immune from network failures between the migration service and Goznak. If urgency is of fundamental importance to you, it is better to rely on the old-style design.
In some regions, it is practiced to issue an “old” passport instead of a new one if there is a delay in issuing a second one. You can ask for it. The reason could be a hot ticket, the death of a relative, etc.
Also, do not forget that the document can be obtained from the Federal Migration Service in the region.
Validity of an old-style international passport in 2021
In accordance with current legislation, the period during which an old-style foreign passport continues to be valid is five years from the date of receipt of this document. After this period of time has expired, the citizen will have to contact the territorial division of the migration service for a replacement, but in fact this is not the only reason why a person will have to visit government agencies and order a new document.
This will also need to be done if:
- the citizen got married or for some other reason the last name was changed;
- there are no free pages on which the appropriate stamps can be placed when crossing the border;
- the document the citizen has was dirty or torn;
- There are all sorts of drawings or extraneous notes on the pages.
If a person changes his last name, in accordance with current legislation, he is given no more than 30 days to contact the territorial division of the migration service or a multifunctional center with all the documents necessary to obtain a new identity card, after which he is issued a new passport.
It is not necessary to change your foreign ID in such a short time, and if a person, for example, is going to go on vacation to a visa-free country, he will, in principle, be able to go there with a foreign passport under the same last name.
In the process of obtaining a passport, it is most important to choose the most optimal version of this document, taking into account many parameters, including the number of pages. An old-style foreign passport, in accordance with the established model, must contain at least 36 pages, while a biometric identity card includes 46 pages.
Each trip requires the use of two pages to be stamped for entry and exit, and another page to be used for visa travel for authorized officials to affix the visa sticker to.
Entry restrictions for some countries
Some states impose certain restrictions on the ability of persons whose passport is valid for less than a certain period of time to visit the country. Each country independently determines the validity period that a document must have when entering its territory.
Thus, for example, a person can enter the following countries only if his passport is valid for at least six months from the date of planned departure from the state:
- Laos;
- Cambodia;
- Thailand;
- Japan;
- Mauritius;
- China;
- United Arab Emirates;
- Egypt;
- Seychelles;
- Singapore;
- Israel;
- Philippines;
- overwhelming majority of south-eastern countries.
A citizen can obtain a foreign passport through the MFC on any day of the week. See here how many photos you need for your passport.
At the same time, in order to enter the following countries, the document must be valid for three months, and this rule applies to the following countries:
- Schengen countries;
- Cyprus;
- Romania;
- Vietnam;
- Bulgaria;
- Poland;
- New Zealand;
- Croatia;
- Lithuania;
- Tunisia;
- Slovenia;
- Slovakia;
- Montenegro;
- Sri Lanka;
- Austria.
You must enter Turkey with a passport that is valid for at least four months from the end of your visit to the country.
The Dominican Republic is the most loyal to tourists, since there the validity period of a foreign passport provided at the border must correspond to the period during which the person intends to stay in the country.
Validity periods
The validity period is one of the main differences. The new one is issued for 10 years, the old passport is valid for five years. If you are a frequent visitor abroad and travel up to 3 times a year, then over 5-7 years you will accumulate from 10 to 20 pages with entry and exit stamps. In this case, it makes sense to issue a new type of passport, it is more spacious.
The old passport is issued for a shorter period, but if you rarely go abroad, you should choose it because of the elementary savings on state fees.
The same situation occurs when registering for a child. The passport must be replaced if there is a significant change in appearance, so it makes no sense to issue a ten-year biometric passport for the baby.
The new sample document implies that the child has his own passport. With an old-style passport, you can cross the Russian border if you meet three criteria:
- a child under 13 years and 6 months old (otherwise the Ministry of Internal Affairs will require him to issue a “foreign passport” as well);
- confirmation of Russian citizenship;
- The parent's five-year passport is still valid.
Validity period of a foreign passport for different countries
So, Russians can travel abroad both with an internal passport and a foreign one, and of both types. But to avoid any unexpected complications during your trip or travel, you need to know the nuances of visiting certain countries.
These details are related to the validity period of the passport during which you are allowed to enter the country or after you leave it. The departure date is often called. This can be 1 month, 3 months (or 90 days) and six months.
If your passport is about to expire, you can use it to enter the territory of Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Great Britain, Thailand, Jamaica, and some African countries.
Separately, it is necessary to say about Turkey, which the Russians mistakenly include in this list, since in order to visit it, the passport must have a validity of 120 days on the day of departure from the country.
Which countries can you enter with a passport valid for less than three months?
Countries that allow entry if the validity period of the foreign passport is less than 3 months from the date of return to Russia are Hong Kong, Serbia, Cuba, South Africa.
Moreover, holders of passports with a minimum validity period at the time of departure can enter the territory of these states - at least 1 month.
Valid from three months to six months
For countries such as Tunisia and Ethiopia, the validity period of the passport must be at least 3 months from the date of entry into the country.
For France, your passport must be valid for the same period, but only upon returning from this country.
Bulgaria stands apart here, with the document being valid for at least 91 days after departure.
Strictly 105 days, i.e. 3.5 months the passport must be valid after returning to Russia from Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Switzerland.
Documents for obtaining an old-style international passport
The document submission procedure must be carried out carefully. Everything needs to be prepared according to the FMS memo:
- certificates, questionnaires and other forms are submitted without errors or typos;
- documents drawn up in foreign languages must have a translated copy signed and stamped by a notary;
- The absence of any papers from the list is not allowed.
The application form must be filled out manually or on a computer by persons who have reached the age of majority. Applicants aged 14 to 18 fill it out together with their parents (2 signatures). For persons under 14 years of age, the signature must be provided by a guardian.
List for persons over 18 years of age
- 2 completed application forms (+ attachment);
- Internal passport;
- Previous “abroad” (if re-submitted);
- Confirmation of payment of the duty;
- Confirmation for urgent receipt (if necessary);
- 3 photos;
- Relevant document on the change of personal data (if any);
- For men of military age, a certificate from the military registration and enlistment office or a military ID;
- Written approval from the command for those performing military service (except for urgent ones);
If there are grounds for quick extradition, they must be documented. For example, if there is a need to undergo treatment abroad, these may be certificates, extracts from the medical history, or medical referrals.
List for persons aged 14 to 18 years
- Statement;
- Citizen's passport;
- Document confirming the identity of the representative (parents, guardian).
- 2 photos;
- Certificate of payment of the fee (receipt);
- Grounds for an urgent registration procedure.
Parents sign the application along with their children.
List for persons under 14 years of age
- Statement;
- Birth certificate;
- Document confirming the identity of the guardian;
- A document that confirms Russian citizenship;
- 2 photos;
- Certificate of payment of the fee (receipt);
- Documentary evidence of the grounds for urgent registration.
The parent signs the form for the child.
What documents to prepare for registration in 2018
The list of documents differs slightly for different age categories. We can distinguish an adult group, teenagers from 14 to 18 years old and children under 14 years old.
List for citizens over 18 years of age
- Completed application form
in 2 copies. The form must be printed on both sides of the sheet; - Valid Russian passport
. Copies of pages with completed information; - 3-4
(information varies)
color photographs
measuring 35mm by 45mm; - Confirmation of payment of the state fee
for a foreign passport; - If personal data (full name) has changed, then documents confirming this are needed.
The attached Russian passport must have a current validity period. All Russian citizens should know how to obtain this document at the age of 45.
Additional documents:
- For people who have reached retirement age, take a pension certificate;
- If you are a man between 18 and 27 years old, you must bring a certificate from the military registration and enlistment office. If you have completed military service, then you must have a military ID;
- For military personnel, permission from the command to travel abroad is required;
- Previously issued foreign passport, if available. Attach copies of completed pages;
- If there is not enough space in the main form of the application form to enter data on your work activity, use the application;
- For those who do not have enough space to fill out information about changing their name, there is a corresponding application.
There are situations when it is necessary to submit documents for an old-style international passport urgently. For example, you need to quickly travel abroad due to illness or to visit close relatives. For such unforeseen situations, it is possible to review documents within 3 days. For this you will need:
- Documents confirming the urgency and objectivity of such a rush. For example, a letter from health authorities about the need for treatment abroad;
- Information from a foreign medical organization in the form of a letter about the need for urgent treatment;
- Certified telegraphic message from the receiving clinic.
For children (up to 14 years old)
If you decide not to enroll your child, but to get a separate document for him, then you will need:
- Birth certificate
; - Completed application form
for minors; - Passport of the parent
or guardian; - Proof of citizenship
. It can be recorded in the birth certificate, in the passport of the parent-citizen, if the child is included in it. If the child already has a passport, provide it; - 2 photographs
of the child; - State duty
, confirmation of its payment; - Confirmation of the rights of the child’s representative
(birth certificate or guardianship documents).
Why should you choose this option for taking your baby abroad?
Let's say you are not the only relative with whom your children can travel. Often young and active grandmothers take their grandchildren to the sea and let their parents relax. In this situation, the child included in your passport will be deprived of the opportunity to travel abroad with other loved ones.
Documents for young people from 14 to 18 years old
The list of documents for teenagers is not significantly different, but they already have a valid Russian passport, which must be attached to all other papers.
- Applicant's questionnaire;
- Russian Federation passport;
- Photos in the amount of 2 pieces;
- Receipt for payment of state duty or payment details;
- Birth certificate and guardianship documents, if available.
Documents for obtaining a new international passport
To fill out the form for a biometric passport, only capital letters of the alphabet are used. Documents for an incapacitated person can be prepared by his official guardian. To do this, provide a certificate declaring the citizen incompetent and a document confirming guardianship powers. Also, a biometric passport does not imply urgent receipt, since it is impossible to produce it in a short time. For children the situation is similar.
List for persons over 18 years of age
- Citizen's passport;
- Old passport;
- Confirmation of changes in personal data;
- Military ID (certificate);
- Written permission from the command for military personnel (except for military service);
- Photograph (electronic format).
If you have open visas, your previous passport can be returned after receiving a biometric sample.
List for citizens aged 14 to 18 years
- Citizen's passport.
- Old passport (if you have one).
- Identification documents of the parent.
- Photos (required only for electronic application).
List for citizens under 14 years of age
- Old passport (if you have one).
- Identification documents of the parent.
- Birth certificate indicating citizenship (Russia).
- Photos (required only for electronic application).
Production time and cost of state duty
If the application for a foreign passport is submitted at the place of registration, the document will be ready within a month. If a person does not live according to registration and orders a passport at the place of his actual stay, the period increases to 3 months.
If you have or previously had security clearance, the document will also be produced within 3 months. Foreign passports are issued in the premises of State Services centers.
If the application is submitted online through State Services, then the countdown begins from the day the electronic application was registered on the portal. If submitted in person, then from the day the application is submitted with all the necessary documents.
The state duty for a foreign passport is set by the legislator and varies depending on conditions and changes in market circumstances.
The state duty is now 2 thousand rubles for an adult and 1 thousand rubles for children under 14 years of age.
You must provide a receipt for payment of the state fee to the same place where documents for a foreign passport are submitted.
What to do if the validity period has expired
The passport is valid for five years.
People are faced with the problem that it is impossible to enter the territory of another country because their passport is expired. This situation is often faced by people who rarely travel abroad. Many people are interested in what to do in such a situation.
An expired document does not provide for a penalty. The process and period for producing a passport does not differ from the initial issue.
State duty for a foreign passport and its payment
When registering a new sample, you must pay a state fee of 3,500 rubles. For children under 14 years old - 1500 rubles.
For an old-style international passport you will have to pay 2,000 rubles. If you want to register a child there, the fee will be 2,500 rubles. For children under 14 years old, issuing an old passport will cost 1,000 rubles.
The state duty is not charged to citizens of the Russian Federation living in the Kaliningrad region. Also, the requirement for a state fee to obtain a new type of international passport does not apply to citizens who had a Ukrainian international passport when the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol were included in the Russian Federation.
If you refuse to obtain a passport for any reason, the fee is refunded. If you have completed all the necessary documents, but have postponed receiving a passport, the payment receipt will be valid for 3 years.
You can pay for the service on the State Services website or at any bank branch. It is important to correctly indicate the budget classification codes - they are different for the new and old models. The new one is uniform, for the old one there is one in each region.
Which countries are not allowed into with an old passport in 2019?
In Russia at this time there are equal documents - a passport valid for 5 years and a new one, or with biometrics. An old passport cannot be a reason why you will not be allowed into a particular country.
The exception is Ukraine, which from 2021 Russians can enter only with a biometric passport.
For all other countries, both passports - the old and the new - give the right to enter the state, and you can leave with the old-style international passport without hindrance. The Migration Service does not have the right to prohibit you from staying in the country with an old-style international passport or from leaving the state.
At the same time, there is no law that would say which countries require a biometric passport as a mandatory document, and which countries are allowed to enter with the previous document.
There is no need to issue a new international passport for anyone who periodically travels abroad. Its validity period is long - 10 years, and if you do not travel abroad very often, then such a passport may simply lie unclaimed, and you need to pay more for its production than for an old-type document.
According to official information, there are no plans to abandon paper passports in the near future. This is only possible if air carriers, for their part, put forward more stringent requirements.
Having an old-style international passport, you can easily go anywhere - on any foreign trip. If the country you are traveling to requires biometrics, they will be taken from you as soon as you arrive there.
What is the difference between the new passport and the old one?
Since many Russian citizens have not seen the new type of ID, they therefore do not know how it differs from the previous passport.
The difference concerns only their appearance, registration period, etc. But this does not in any way affect the rights that the owners of the documents have. The purpose of both documents is the same.
There is no reason to worry about the fact that people with an old passport will not be allowed into some countries.
So, what is the difference between the new passport and the valid old one:
- The color of the cover has changed - the new passport is dark red. Both inscriptions on the front side are duplicated in English. At the bottom of the cover there is a chip icon, which indicates its presence in the document itself. The chip itself is sewn above the name of the country - the place of birth of the passport holder (page with photo). The chip must not be exposed to high-intensity electromagnetic fields.
- On the same page, to the right of the chip, there is an emblem with a holographic image of a photograph of the owner of the document.
- By rotating the document at an angle, you will be able to see various holographic images and inscriptions that further protect your document from fraudulent activities.
- There is another important point that needs to be taken into account in the form to enter the form number when you order a visa. This form number (state sign number) should not be confused with the passport number, but is located on the last page of the document called “Passport book number”.
- A new generation passport is valid for 10 years, while a paper passport is valid for 5 years.
Read: Differences in the new type of international passport
Is it worth getting a passport again for 5 years?
You can apply for a new type of international passport if your old one is nearing its expiration date. If you want to get a passport again for 5 years, no one has the right to prevent this.
Russians prefer to use an old-style document for their trips abroad, especially after learning that there are no countries that only require a biometric passport.
In addition, children under 14 years old can be entered into the old passport, which makes it easier to travel abroad with them.
Perhaps in the near future some countries will cancel the entry permit under the old document, or in the Russian Federation they will cancel the old version. Therefore, taking into account the expiration of its validity, it is worth considering to play it safe and immediately submit documents to obtain a foreign passport for 10 years.
But so far there are no distinctions, and both documents are equivalent, including for countries in which the Schengen Agreement is in force. Moreover, in these countries, even the owners of a new document that contains biometric information will have to submit fingerprints.
This precautionary measure was taken in connection with the increased manifestations of terrorist activities in Europe.
Thus, you can safely fly abroad with a passport with a 5-year validity period. A biometric passport is issued as an alternative to the old document.
Read: Which international passport is better to issue, old or new?
Which passport is best for a child to travel with?
Children under 14 years of age are unlikely to need a new generation passport. From birth until the moment of receiving an internal passport, which is awarded at the age of 14, the child grows and changes in appearance. In addition, parents can enter their children into a passport valid for 5 years.
Read: How to include a child in the parents’ passport
But this option has its disadvantages:
- the child will be able to travel abroad only with the parent in whose passport he is included;
- Children can only be entered in an old-style passport.
In addition, changes are often made to the rules for children crossing the border. Therefore, parents, almost simultaneously with the birth certificate, also issue a foreign passport for their child, especially since there are no age restrictions on the part of federal law.
It would be better if you issue your child a passport valid for 5 years. Registration of a child's passport at the migration department follows the same procedure as for an adult.
There are cases when a separate passport is required for children to travel abroad:
- child over 14 years old;
- a minor travels abroad not with his parents, but with one of his relatives or in a group;
- when parents have a biometric passport.
Children without a document can cross the border only if they do not need a passport to enter a given country.
For Russians, these are Abkhazia, Armenia (from 2021), Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Ossetia. Ukraine and Tajikistan “left” this list. Conditions for entry into these states have become more stringent.
Read: Where can you go without a passport from Russia?
Photo requirements
The photo requirements for the new and old samples are no different:
- Dimensions 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm.
- Objects in the frame and stripes in the background are not allowed. Look strictly from the front to the camera.
- It is better for women to collect their hair so that it does not cover their eyes or hide the oval of their face. Photos with red-eye or blur are not allowed.
- Regarding clothing, you should give preference to a simple style or a business suit. It is prohibited to wear a uniform;
- Only a white canvas is allowed in the background - no other colors or images. The person's face should be well lit, while maintaining the natural color of the skin.
- 70%-80% of the photo space should be occupied by the face.
- The rules allow people with special religious beliefs to wear a headdress if it does not hide the oval of the face.
- According to the rules, it is allowed to take an official photograph wearing glasses if they do not “glare.”
You can also take a photo yourself, the main thing is that it meets all the stated requirements. You do not need to paste it into the form yourself.
How to quickly apply and receive a passport
There are several standard ways to get a passport faster. The easiest way is not to wait for the appointment time, come to the Department of Internal Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and stand in line. Submitting an electronic application significantly speeds up receipt. In a month you will be able to pick up your completed passport.
Some tour operators and travel agencies provide assistance in quickly obtaining a passport. In this case, the entire procedure can be completed in 2-3 weeks instead of 1 month.
According to Russian legislation, good reasons for quickly obtaining a foreign passport will be:
- the need for urgent treatment abroad;
- illness of close relatives living abroad;
- death of close relatives outside the Russian Federation;
- death of close relatives in Russia and the need to repatriate the body abroad.
It is worth saying that the urgent receipt procedure (5-10 days) is only possible for the old sample. Producing a biometric passport takes longer.
Registration via the Internet
The electronic application is submitted through the State Services portal. The applicant is accepted out of turn to take a photo at the MFC or FMS. Subsequently, you need to come to the branch again to receive the document in hand.
To submit an application, registration on the website is required. This is quite easy to do by following the instructions. The most important thing is to fill out the form on the website.
After checking your personal data and submitting an application for a foreign passport, you will receive a notification that the registration of a foreign passport has begun.