In March 2026, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs decided that, as of June 1, 2026, Finland will no longer accept non-biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation as travel documents. Non-biometric passports are passports that do not have a microchip containing biometric identifiers.
The aim of the decision is to ensure that travel documents approved by Finland are as reliable as possible. In future, non-biometric passports issued by Russia will not be accepted for residence permit applications, with certain exceptions.
The decision includes a transition period from 1 June to December 31, 2026. During the transition period, Finland will accept non-biometric passports that contain a valid visa issued by Finland before June 1, 2026. During the transition period, Finland will also accept non-biometric passports containing a valid visa or a residence permit issued by another EU Member State or Schengen country before June 1, 2026.
Which travel documents are accepted for residence permit applications?
Applicants for a residence permit must usually have a valid and authentic national travel document with which the Finnish Immigration Service can identify them. Those who have been granted an alien’s passport for the purpose of obtaining a national passport should obtain a national passport as soon as possible. Those who have received international protection or are applying for asylum are not required to have a national passport.
Applicants can check on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (um.fi) which national travel documents Finland accepts for entering the country. The Ministry notes that, while it accepts other documents for purposes such as traveling to Finland, applicants for a residence permit must have a national travel document.
As of June 1, 2026, a non-biometric Russian passport usually does not meet the travel document requirement for obtaining a residence permit. The change applies to applications that are already pending and to new applications submitted on or after June 1, 2026. Those whose applications have not been decided before June 1, 2026, must obtain a biometric passport. After June 1, 2026, a non-biometric passport can be accepted for residence permit applications only in exceptional cases.
Exceptions in which a non-biometric passport is accepted after June 1, 2026
- The Finnish Immigration Service may grant those under the age of 18 a residence permit even if they have a non-biometric passport. However, they must still be under the age of 18 at the time when the application is decided. Those who turn 18 during the processing of the application for a first residence permit must obtain a biometric passport.
- If the Finnish Immigration Service has granted a residence permit before June 1, 2026, it may grant an extended permit or a permanent residence permit even if the holder has a non-biometric passport.
- The Finnish Immigration Service may grant a residence permit to a holder of a non-biometric passport if the Ministry has accepted the non-biometric passport for a special reason based on individual consideration.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.