Russia to begin cutting mobile service for foreigners not registered in biometric database

Russia’s Digital Development Ministry announced that, starting July 1, foreign nationals who are not registered in the country’s Unified Biometric System will begin to have their mobile service disconnected.

Since the start of 2025, foreign nationals have only been able to sign contracts with mobile operators if they submitted biometric data, and they can register no more than 10 SIM cards, the ministry wrote on Telegram. Those who signed contracts under the old rules were required to submit their biometric data by July 1.

Phone numbers belonging to foreigners that have been inactive for more than three months will be disconnected immediately, the ministry said. Active numbers will be shut off in stages: first, international and long-distance calling will be blocked and Internet speeds reduced. After 30 days, service will be terminated entirely.

More than two million foreign nationals have already registered in the biometric system and signed contracts under the new rules, the ministry said.

Russian officials first proposed tightening SIM card regulations for foreigners in 2024. The Digital Development Ministry said the changes are intended to crack down on the use of so-called “gray” SIM cards.