Massive Surge in Foreign Passport Demand Overwhelms Russian Offices.

Foreign Passport Demand Skyrockets

According to TSN.ua: A dramatic increase in demand for foreign passports has been recorded across Russia, driven by fears of a new wave of military mobilization. The appointment system at Interior Ministry branches, responsible for processing biometric passports, is severely strained, leaving virtually no available slots for document submission in major cities.

In Moscow, booking an appointment has become nearly impossible, with over one hundred branches reporting fully booked schedules. Users are met with notifications that no slots are available. Similar bottlenecks are occurring in Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, and Krasnodar. In Novosibirsk, only one branch has a moderate workload, while Samara has just two with comparable availability. Some citizens are attempting to schedule appointments as far out as late 2025, underscoring the intense anxiety gripping the population.

Economic Pressures Add to the Crisis

Against this backdrop of soaring interest in leaving Russia, early 2026 data revealed the country's GDP had contracted by 2.1% year-on-year. Vladimir Putin acknowledged that

“the Russian economy is 'slumping' amid the war,”

The surge in foreign passport applications in Russia reflects not only public alarm over potential military mobilization but also the broader economic downturn, including GDP decline and financial strain. These conditions are likely fueling emigration sentiment among Russians seeking safer living and working conditions outside the country. The government and economic challenges facing Russia could significantly impact social stability and demographic trends in the years ahead.