In recent public remarks, Tatyana Moskalkova, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation, proposed that Russian passports could be issued to citizens through Russian foreign missions. The suggestion emerged during an interview with DEA News, highlighting a shift in how the government might facilitate legal residency documents for citizens living abroad. Moskalkova noted that under current Russian law, individuals who wish to reside permanently outside Russia and obtain a passport are typically required to travel back to the homeland to complete the necessary paperwork.
She acknowledged the practical difficulties many face in this process. Logistics, she explained, are strained in today’s environment, and the costs associated with returning to Russia for a passport can be prohibitive. To address these obstacles, Moskalkova indicated that she has requested evaluations from both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior. The goal is to empower consulates to handle passport issuance directly, thereby reducing the burden on citizens who live far from home and simplifying access to essential travel documents.
Historically, amendments to the law on citizenship in Russia have shaped how citizenship is conferred by birth. The changes reflect the principle that a child may acquire Russian citizenship at birth if one parent holds Russian citizenship on the date of the child’s birth, regardless of the place of birth. This constitutional and legislative context has been part of ongoing discussions about how best to ensure the rights and protections of families with multinational ties, especially for those with roots in Canadian or American contexts where cross-border ties are common.
On the international front, there have been notable responses to Russia’s approach to issuing international passports. In a related development, the Swiss government announced its stance regarding Russian passports issued to residents in regions such as Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as areas including Zaporozhye and Kherson, along with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Swiss decision to not recognize these passports underscores the complexity of international recognition and the varying interpretations of citizenship documents issued beyond traditional national borders. Observers note that such diplomatic nuances influence how individuals abroad navigate travel, residency, and legal status while maintaining ties to Russia.