Foreign migrants in Russia face the potential loss of mobile communication services starting July 1 if they fail to comply with the new SIM card registration requirements involving biometrics. Some mobile operators have already begun notifying migrants about the impending service disruptions.

Amendments to the Law “On Communications,” effective since the beginning of the year, mandate that migrants must use biometrics to purchase SIM cards, and previously purchased SIM cards must be re-registered using biometric data. Lawyer Polina Gusyatnikova explains that this measure aims to enhance control over migration flows.

To re-register, foreigners must obtain a SNILS (insurance number of individual ledger account), register on the “Gosuslugi” (Government Services Portal), and register their biometric data there. Gusyatnikova assures that any migrant legally present in Russia can obtain a SNILS free of charge by contacting the Social Fund or an MFC (Multifunctional Center).

For foreigners whose SIM cards are blocked, Gusyatnikova advises either buying a new SIM card using biometrics or submitting biometric data on “Gosuslugi” to unblock the existing one.

Yuri Krupnov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Institute of Demography, Migration and Regional Development, views the stricter SIM card requirements as part of a broader state policy to tighten control over migration flows. He argues that biometrics will greatly simplify the activities of law enforcement agencies and other services, ensuring both security and social guarantees for foreign workers.

Krupnov highlights the existing inequality between Russian citizens and foreign citizens in terms of “digitization,” with most Russians already integrated into government information systems. He believes biometrics is a necessary step to restore order in migration policy.

Regarding the number of migrants currently in Russia, estimates vary widely. The Ministry of Internal Affairs estimates about 7 million labor migrants, while the Investigative Committee suggests 14–16 million. Krupnov’s expert estimate places the figure around 10 million, excluding those who have obtained Russian citizenship.