Starting June 30, 2025, Russia will implement mandatory online registration for citizens of CIS countries entering under a visa-free regime. Citizens of Kazakhstan, including children from the age of six, must register via the RuID application and undergo fingerprinting no later than 72 hours before crossing the border.

The tightening of migration regulations was a topic of discussion at a meeting of the Subcommittee on Road Transport under the Logistics and Transportation Committee of the Presidium of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Atameken." Following the discussion, the Chamber sent an official letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan requesting clarification of the new requirements, citing potential risks to logistics, trade, and supply chains. In response, the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Russian Federation confirmed the key changes, which are set to take effect in just seven days.

According to information provided by the Embassy, this measure is part of a government experiment aimed at testing entry and exit regulations for foreign nationals and stateless persons entering and leaving the Russian Federation.

"Since December 1, 2024, Kazakhstani citizens arriving at Moscow's international airports (Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky) or via the Mashatkkovo automobile checkpoint in the Orenburg region are required to submit biometric data—facial image and fingerprints. As of June 30, 2025, this data collection procedure will apply to all border checkpoints across the Russian Federation," the written response stated.

How Will This Affect Business?

For Kazakhstani businesses operating actively in the Russian market, the new regulations present significant risks. The changes directly impact small and medium-sized enterprises in regions focused on export.

In the freight and passenger transportation sectors, the new requirements will necessitate constant driver registration. This is expected to increase administrative costs, extend route planning times, and result in border delays. Furthermore, Kazakhstani participation in long-term projects in Russia—including seasonal work and business trips—will become more complicated. The stricter border controls may also affect trade and economic cooperation by reducing business mobility and limiting participation in negotiations and events, thereby potentially decreasing SME activity in cross-border trade.

The issue has already been raised by entrepreneurs at the Regional Chamber of Entrepreneurs in Astana.

“We deliver goods to Russian factories by truck. Now drivers will be required to register in RuID and obtain QR codes. This adds a new layer of bureaucracy, for which not everyone is prepared—especially during peak season, when every driver is critical. We are already experiencing a shortage of transport for shipping rice, fruits, and vegetables,” said Aigul Kosmuratova, Deputy Director of the rice-exporting company “Abzal & K.”

According to the business community, truck drivers are reluctant to engage with new digital procedures. They are unprepared to register through the app, upload their data, and wait for confirmation each time. This could lead to widespread border delays, disruptions in supply chains, and, consequently, contractual penalties from Russian partners. Moreover, as noted by Murat Amrin, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) guarantees the free movement of goods and services. Additional requirements for drivers violate the principles of free trade and create new barriers within the Union.

Adding to the pressure is the reduction in the permitted stay for Kazakhstani citizens in Russia. Beginning January 1, 2025, citizens of Kazakhstan will be allowed to remain in the Russian Federation for no more than 90 days per calendar year (previously 90 days within any 180-day period). This restricts opportunities for extended business trips, seasonal employment, and other forms of professional activity in Russia.

Representatives of authorized government bodies have stated that reciprocal measures are currently under consideration in response to the actions of the Russian side; however, no official position has yet been issued by the government of Kazakhstan.

The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs will continue to engage with relevant authorities in both Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation to monitor the implementation of these new measures and to respond promptly to any challenges faced by Kazakhstani businesses and transport companies.

 

Source: atameken.kz