Foreign residents, including migrant workers and stateless individuals, will be able to buy SIM cards from Russian telecom providers only after they register on the Gosuslugi portal using biometric authentication and then visit stores in person. This requirement stems from a draft law developed by the Ministry of Digital Development, as reported by Vedomosti.
The document notes that diplomats, representatives of international organizations, and refugees would be exempt from these conditions. In other words, the rules would not apply to those groups, at least as written in the bill.
The draft was forwarded to several key state bodies for consideration, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Federal Security Service, Roskomnadzor, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Antimonopoly Service, and the Ministry of Economic Development. The ministries are expected to reach a consensus on the provisions by April 15.
On April 10, the State Duma gave its preliminary approval to a separate initiative. The first reading introduced a bill that targets the use of sham marriages by immigrants to obtain residence permits in Russia through a simplified procedure. The aim is to curb unlawful residency channels and strengthen border and migration controls.
On the same day, Aleksey Teksler, the governor of the Chelyabinsk Region, announced a tightening of immigration policy within his territory. The move signals a broader trend toward stricter border and residency checks across several regions.
Earlier coverage noted a noticeable decline in the availability of gray SIM cards in Russia, underscoring ongoing regulatory efforts to regulate mobile connectivity and prove identity in telecom usage.
Overall, the evolving policy landscape indicates a shift toward biometric verification and in-person verification for telecom access, alongside measures aimed at reducing illegal residency schemes. Analysts suggest the changes could impact both foreign nationals and regional enforcement dynamics, with an emphasis on stricter administrative procedures and enhanced data sharing among relevant agencies.