The State Duma approved the first reading of a bill that increases the validity of foreign biometric passports to 10 years. Old-style passports will continue to be issued for 5 years. It is assumed that a new document Russians will begin to issue January 15, 2010. In the FMS say that the term was packed, and note that biopasporta steel demand among citizens.
On Wednesday the State Duma approved the first reading of amendments to the Law On the Procedure for Exit from the Russian Federation and Entry into the Russian Federation ", increasing the duration of the biometric passports from the current 5 to 10 years. According to Gazeta.ru one of the sponsors of the bill, the chairman of the parliamentary committee for constitutional legislation and state construction Vladimir Pligin, the amendments will affect only new type of passports containing electronic chips, and old paper will continue to be issued for a period of 5 years. "From the turnover, as had sometimes said, the old, five-year passport will not withdraw. Citizens who do not want to overpay for a new document that will draw the usual, cheaper passport "- said Pligin.
Design a new type of passport will cost the Russians twice as expensive. Thus, for children under 14 years of stamp duty instead of 500 rubles of 1200 rubles, and for adults to rise from 1000 to 2000 rubles.
«It is clear that prices will rise, but it is necessary to: increase validity, and therefore the number of pages in the document "- explains Pligin. However, experts have said previously that the increase in state tax Russians do not confuse. "People will be willing to pay almost any amount of money for something that rarely meet with bureaucrats", - said in an interview with Gazetoy.Ru "press secretary of Russian Union of Tour Operators Irina Tyurina.
If the bill passes the remaining two readings in the Duma and Federation Council will be approved, the new service in the Territorial Administration of Federal Migration Service (FMS), the Russians will have 15 January 2010.
In FMS argue that the innovations are ready: "The case for MPs and senators. " "The money they gave us, that the bill passed first reading, we are very happy. For a number of new passports already have prepared, in the regions end up installing a special technique for the registration of biometric passports. In general, have time "- said to Gazeta.ru Press Officer Office Konstantin Poltoranin.
According to him, plans to withdraw from circulation the ordinary passport, valid 5 years the FMS decided to finally give up.
Because of the crisis in the office there was no money to complete its re-issue of the territorial offices under the only biometric passports. "And yet it would be wrong - do not give people a choice, and not everyone will be willing to pay more, so you should not worry: the old passports remain" - explained Poltoranin. In FMS, he says, have already noticed that the Russians were more likely to issue biometric passports: "Indeed, people often begin to ask them to issue new passports, even asked how soon they will be extended for 10 years. We suggest that patient and yet draw a five-year passport, and in January 2010 has to apply for a decade ».
Corresponding norm will also soon appear in Russian legislation. In October of this year, the State Duma approved the first reading of a bill allowing for the procedure, making a new passport to part with the old. It is assumed that the document will be finally adopted before the end of the year and the Russians will be able to go to a foreign trip, while the FMS record their new passport. And while everyone, except those who work goes overseas at least once a month, when applying for a new passport the former is removed.

Text: Dmitry Karelin
Photo: ITAR-TASS