The Czech Republic, based on the announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with effect from July 3, 2024, will recognise only biometric travel documents issued by the Russian Federation. A biometric travel document contains machine-readable data and an electronic data carrier with biometric data, which ensures higher security and easier identification of the holder.
This change does not apply to:
- children under 15 years of age,
- persons enrolled in the Civil Society Programme,
- holders of visas and residencies granted in the interest of the Czech Republic.
In this context, a transitional period has been established, during which non-biometric travel documents are still considered valid. The validity of this period depends on whether you have a residence permit in the Czech Republic. If you do not have a residence permit, the transitional period is set until September, 14 2024.
Citizens of the Russian Federation with a valid residence permit (e.g. long-term or permanent residence) without a biometric travel document are obliged to obtain one. You must report the new travel document to the Ministry of Interior within 3 working days. Information on reporting a change of travel document can be found in the section Obligations for Foreigners. If you have a valid residence permit in the Czech Republic, the transitional period applies until December 31, 2024.
If a biometric travel document is not presented after this date in the context of the ongoing application procedure for a residence permit or its extension, the applicant will be invited and given a reasonable period of time to submit it subsequently in the application. Without the biometric travel document, the application cannot be granted.
During the transitional period, the Czech Republic will allow holders of non-biometric travel documents of the Russian Federation to enter its territory via its external Schengen border (arrival at the international airport of the Czech Republic from a non-Schengen airport). This transitional period is given for the acquisition of a biometric document.
Examples of situations that may occur:
1. I have a valid long-term residence and a non-biometric travel document, am I in the Czech Republic illegally? If you have a valid residence permit, you are staying legally in the Czech Republic but with a travel document that is not recognised by the Czech Republic. As a foreigner, you are obliged to have a valid travel document. We therefore recommend that you contact the competent authorities of the Russian Federation as soon as possible and obtain a biometric travel document. If you do not have a valid travel document after December 31, 2024 and one of the above exceptions does not apply, you may be fined.
2. I have applied for a residence permit/ its extension with a non-biometric travel document, will my application be granted? In the case of proceedings taking place after December 31, 2024, you will be asked to provide a biometric travel document and will be given a reasonable period of time to provide it in your application. Without this, the application cannot be granted.
3. I am currently in the process of extending my long-term residence, can I apply for a bridging label on my non-biometric travel document? During the transitional period until December 31, 2024, valid for holders of residence permits, the bridging label can be marked on the non-biometric travel document. After this date, it can only be marked on the so-called border pass.
4. I am abroad and I have a bridging label marked in my non-biometric travel document, can I return to the Czech Republic? On the basis of such documents, you will be allowed to come to the Czech Republic, but only until December 31, 2024 within the transitional period. If you enter the Schengen area via the international airport of the Czech Republic after December 31, 2024 and you do not fall under the above exceptions, you may be refused entry.
5. Can I travel to other countries with a non-biometric travel document? For these purposes, you need to check whether your destination country considers such a document valid. Verify the information before you travel, for example, with the diplomatic mission of the country concerned. For returning to the Czech Republic, the conditions mentioned above apply. If you hold a valid residence permit in the Czech Republic, the transitional period that applies to you is set to December 31, 2024.
Updated August 22, 2024.