Starting in 2026, children under the age of 14 will have to have a passport to travel to a number of countries.

On January 20, 2026, changes to the rules for crossing the Russian border for children under 14 will come into force: children will need a passport to travel to Abkhazia, Belarus, South Ossetia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. This was announced on October 2 by the press service of the Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova.

"For trips to the republics of Abkhazia, Belarus, South Ossetia, Kazakhstan, as well as to the Kyrgyz Republic, the child will need a passport," the ombudsman's website says.

It is noted that children who left on their birth certificate before the specified date will be able to return to Russia on this document. However, in case of loss or damage of the certificate, as well as if the child is 14 years old, the Russian consulates in these countries will not be able to issue a new document for return.

Parents are advised to issue a passport for their child in advance, at least one month before the planned trip. You can apply through the Gosuslugi portal, at the IFC, the territorial divisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for migration in Russia, or at consulates abroad. The application is submitted only by the legal representative of the child. They can be one of the parents, adoptive parents, guardians or guardians.

In addition, the internal passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, obtained by children upon reaching the age of 14, remains valid for entry into these countries.

The migration service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation added that this rule will apply regardless of whether the child travels to these countries with his parents or with accompanying persons.

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On September 18, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, advised parents to apply for passports when planning a trip abroad in connection with the upcoming amendments to the law on the procedure for leaving and entering the Russian Federation. She also told about a case when, without familiarizing herself with the intricacies of the legislation, she planned a trip with her child, who was less than 14 years old, according to a birth certificate. However, when crossing the border, she was asked to show the child's passport.

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