Russians restricted from traveling abroad now required to turn in passports to authorities

A new policy enters into force on Monday that requires Russian citizens who are prohibited from leaving the country to turn in their foreign travel passports to the authorities.

Under the new rules, Russians banned from foreign travel have five days to give their passports “for storage” either to the agency that issued it (the Interior Ministry or Foreign Ministry) or to the agency that imposed the restrictions. Any passport not turned in without a legitimate reason will be declared invalid.

When the travel restrictions are lifted, the passport holder can submit a request for the passport to be returned, after which the agency storing it will have five days to mail it back.

Army conscripts who have turned in their passports will now need to show their military IDs to prove they have completed their service requirements in order to get their passports back.