Travel agents and vacationers are discussing the error in the machine-readable line of the 5-year Russian overseas passports, which does not comply with the regulations.
Retail representatives have announced that in many international passports, there is an incorrect font. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs Order of 31.03.2021 № 186, the OCR-B font size 1 should be used when filling in this data.
However, in many old-style passport offices (without biometrics), issued in 2023-2024, the MRZ is filled with a different font. This is noticeable, in particular, when comparing the digits 1 and 7. The one in these documents is written with a low dash (it should be without it), and the seven – with a straight, not curved, base.
“Having noticed this phenomenon, the Passport and Visa Service was asked for leave. The foreign passport was obtained in the summer of 2023. The document was taken for examination. Two days later, I was informed that it was invalid and reissued literally within an hour,” wrote a tourist.
This situation is being discussed in the telegram chat for tourism professionals called “Istochniki Tourdome”. Operators note that many of their clients have already applied for official travel with such documents, and no problems have arisen.
In Russia, a foreign (international) passport is required to travel outside the country, as well as to enter some foreign countries. It confirms the identity of a Russian citizen and gives him the right to cross the border and stay abroad. A foreign passport may also be required to apply for visas, temporary residence permits, or citizenship in some countries.
However, there are other cases: “At the passport control in Yekaterinburg upon arrival, the entry did not read. They were safely allowed through, but were cautioned. We recommended that they go to the place where the passport was issued,” the agency representatives reported in the chat.
A new passport was promised to be made promptly, within one to three working days. You have to bring the photo yourself, the replacement will be free of charge.
At the same time, it is asserted that citizens can verify their personal data themselves, and no one will refuse to check the machine-readable recording for the sake of manufacturing, since it is the beginning of the state procurement where they obtained it. There is no mention of it in Government Resolution No. 2090 of 09.12.23.