Moscow has announced a significant relaxation in regulations governing applications by foreign nationals seeking Russian citizenship, particularly concerning passport photographs. The Russian Interior Ministry revealed last Wednesday that, effective May 5, applicants will be permitted to wear headscarves and hijabs in their passport photos, aligning with religious beliefs while adhering to specific guidelines.
The new law addresses the religious needs of applicants who cannot appear without head coverings due to their beliefs. According to the Russian Interior Ministry, individuals adhering to such religious practices can now provide photographs wearing head coverings that do not obscure the oval of the face. However, scarves that fully or partially obscure the chin of the applicant will not be accepted, ensuring clarity and identification accuracy.
This progressive move extends existing allowances for Russian citizens, who already have the freedom to use photographs in hijabs when applying for passports, drivers’ licenses, work permits, and patents. State Duma Security and Anti-Corruption Committee member Biysultan Khamzaev emphasized that the new rules aim to accommodate religious traditions while maintaining state security, as facial recognition technologies rely on clear facial features for identification.
The decision marks a departure from Soviet-era practices, where passport photographs were uniformly submitted without headscarves or hijabs. Despite a ban on hijab-wearing photographs in the late 1990s, subsequent legal challenges led to its repeal in 2003. Amendments to passport requirements in 2021 further solidified the rights of individuals whose religious beliefs necessitate head coverings, ensuring inclusivity and respect for diverse faiths.
