Russia Expands Mandatory 'Amina' Tracking App to All Visa-Free Nationals in Moscow
Updated: 1 day ago
MOSCOW, September 9, 2026 — Russia has significantly expanded its digital surveillance of foreign nationals, making the mandatory use of the mobile tracking application "Amina" compulsory for citizens from nine visa-free countries entering Moscow and the Moscow region for stays exceeding 90 calendar days.
The requirement, which took full effect on September 1, 2026, marks a major escalation in Russia's migration control efforts. The "Amina" app, described by authorities as an "experimental" tool, is now the exclusive method for migration registration for affected nationals in the capital region.
"Starting September 1, the list of foreign citizens subject to the mandatory requirement to use the Amina mobile app for migration registration will be expanded."— Official Announcement
How the 'Amina' App Works
The "Amina" application is designed to function as a continuous geolocation tracking system for foreign nationals.
Key features include:
Mandatory Installation and Registration: Affected individuals must install the app and register their address of stay through it. This is now the only way to complete migration registration in Moscow and the Moscow region.
Continuous Geolocation Tracking: The app requires constant access to the user's geolocation. Authorities use this data to verify that the foreign national continues to reside at their registered address.
Automatic De-registration: If the app fails to transmit location data for three consecutive days, the individual is automatically added to a "registry of monitored persons" and de-registered from their residential address.
Re-registration Required: Those de-registered must register a new address via the app or face penalties.
"If you don't do it for three days in a row, you're put on a blacklist that's hard to get off."— Alym, a migrant worker in Moscow
Who Is Affected?
The mandate applies to adult citizens from nine countries that have a visa-free regime with Russia:
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Moldova
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan
Ukraine
Exemptions
The requirement does not apply to:
Citizens of Belarus
Minors
Diplomats and their families
Employees of international organizations
Expansion Timeline and Scope
The "Amina" requirement has been rolled out in phases:
Phase | Date | Scope |
Phase 1 | September 1, 2025 | Mandatory for migrant workers in Moscow and Moscow region on a visa-free basis |
Phase 2 | September 1, 2026 | Expanded to all non-work purposes for stays exceeding 90 days (students, tourists, etc.) |
Future Expansion | 2027-2028 | Expansion to additional regions across Russia |
The pilot program is expected to run until 2029. The expansion to include 13 regions across Russia is already underway, making the app mandatory for visa-free foreigners in a growing number of locations.
Severe Penalties for Non-Compliance
Authorities have imposed strict penalties for those who fail to comply with the "Amina" requirements.
Penalty | Details |
Fines | Financial penalties for failure to register or maintain active location tracking |
De-registration | Removal from migration registration, requiring re-registration |
Deportation | Expulsion from Russia |
Entry Ban | Prohibition on entering Russia for 3 to 5 years |
Work Permit Cancellation | Revocation of patents, work permits, or residence permits |
"Receiving two fines within a year leads to a ban on entering the country and the cancellation of work documents, patents, or residence permits."— Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Technical Errors Pose Significant Risk
Authorities from affected countries, including Moldova, have warned their citizens that even technical errors within the "Amina" app could be interpreted as violations of the migration regime, potentially leading to deportation or entry bans.
Read Also
Official Resources
Resource | Link |
Moscow Multifunctional Migration Center (MMC) | |
Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs |
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