The cost of obtaining a passport for Russians abroad may increase

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposes to index fees for consular services provided to Russians at Russian missions abroad, including for issuing a foreign passport. If developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs draft resolution of the Russian government will be approved, the cost of issuing a regular international passport will increase from $30 to $35, and a biometric one – from $80 to $90. In addition to increasing the cost of obtaining a foreign passport, it is proposed to double the price of issuing an application to renounce Russian citizenship – from $65 to $130.

The explanatory note to the project states that the amount of the current rates of fees charged for consular actions at foreign missions has not been indexed since 2010.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that it is possible to increase the amount of fees, since “over the past period, the purchasing power of the US dollar, which is the settlement currency for rates, has decreased by more than 30% due to inflation.” “For the consular documents most in demand among Russian citizens (passports, powers of attorney), the increase in fees will be $5–10, which will ensure minimization of the burden of additional costs imposed on payers of the corresponding fees,” explains the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Among other consular fees, it is proposed to increase the cost of issuing a marriage contract certificate from $100 to $110, and the price of a will certificate from $25 to $35.

The project developed by the ministry is undergoing public discussion, as well as an independent anti-corruption examination.

Alexander Kislov