New Russian biometric passports are issued beginning March 1.

Russia canceled the issuance of so-called ordinary passports for travel abroad. Since March 1 of this year only new passports with biometric data will be issued. This is provided by RF Government Resolution of 21 December 2009 N 337-FZ "On procedure of exit from Russia and entry to Russia", whose provisions extend the lifetime of a passport containing the electronic media up to 10 years.

The purpose of innovation: to bring all identification documents of the Russian citizens abroad to international standards.

Previously, the citizens could choose a type of passport, with an electronic support or without. The new passports with an embedded chip are issued starting March 1.

Those who already hold a previously issued valid passport do not have to obtain a new one. The decision of the Government stipulates that the holders of documents of the former issuance may use them until their expiration. This procedure applies to the previously processed passports without electronic chips.

The new passport includes a protective element in a form of a metallized film with a diameter of19 millimeters, placed in the upper right corner of the second page. This page of the passport will not be printed in a normal way and will be laser engraved.

In addition to the two-dimensional pictures, e-passport chip can also include other data of the owner, including name, date of birth, fingerprints, retinal image, as well as the passport number and its validity.

Remember that in the U.S. a Russian passport can be obtained from the consulates of the Russian Federation. Citizens of Russia living in North Carolina fall under the jurisdiction of the consular department of the Embassy of Russia in the United States. A passport can also be obtained through the intermediary of companies offering services in Russian passports.