Russia whitdraw passports to his ciitizens

[Patagonie]

My wife yesterday got this information by a russian female friend living in France. Firms are now withdrawing intenational passport to their employee. Do you have some confirmations ?

[ML]

Pat your message is not clear.

Firms cannot take away passports.

[Doll]

Pat your message is not clear.

Firms cannot take away passports.

I didn't understand it either

[Brasscasing]

Possibly your friend is referring to her work or temporary residence visa, Pat.

edit: I believe French based companies sponsor work visas for foreign employees.

Brass

[Patagonie]

I meant that, for what i have understood, russian companies are withdrawing international passports to theirs employees. i would try to get more accurate informations. This is not an ukrainian hoax, the information comes from a russian woman.

[Brasscasing]

Ah. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Brass

[Gator]

Pat,


Are you saying French citizens who formerly traveled to Russia under a work visa will no longer be admitted into Russia?

Or, Russian companies are seizing the passports of French citizens working in Russia for these companies, thus preventing their return to France?

Or Russian companies with operations in France are not allowing Russian citizens to travel to France to work at these operations?

Or something else?

[Patagonie]

Ah, i see.
I meant that russian companies are whitdrawings international passports of their employees, russian citizens, on their soil (it was so obvious for me  ). That is the information we got from a russian lady who lives in France and, of course, have many contacts with her motherland.

[JayH]

Is this relevant?

QUOTING-----
If You need a Russian Visa

EFFECTIVE FROM 10 December 2014

BIOMETRIC SUBMISSION
Regarding the new requirement to collect biometric data of foreign nationals and stateless persons applying for Russian visas

In accordance with the Executive Order of the President of the Russian Federation No. 735, On Collecting Biometric Personal Data of Foreign Nationals and Stateless Persons beginning 10 December 2014 the diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Russian Federation in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Russian Visa Application Centres in London and Edinburgh will start collecting biometric data (fingerprints) of all foreign nationals and stateless persons for each of their application for Russian visa.

As a pilot project this procedure will be implemented in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of Namibia and the Russian Foreign Ministry’s representative office at the border crossing point in Vnukovo International Airport.

Biometric data will not be collected when issuing diplomatic and official visas, nor for individuals under 12 years of age.
For nationals of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the collection of biometric data will be implemented taking into account the principle of reciprocity.

Based on the above listed information, from 10 December 2014 all applicants who wish to apply for a Russian visa should do so in person at the Russian Visa Application Centres in London and Edinburgh, otherwise applications cannot be accepted. In the event of refusal to undergo biometric procedure, the applicant will not be issued a visa.

The fingerprinting procedure is an essential element of visa policy modernisation which has been practiced by a number of consular services, including the UK. The main objective of the new procedure is to improve the security of the visas issued in the context of preventing illegal migration, terrorism and other illegal activities

[mendeleyev]

The Kremlin has instructed (some months ago) that some (not all) Russians in key management of government positions, and some business leaders whose firms are primarily owned or controlled by Kremlin sources, to turn in international passports. The passports are not cancelled, but they cannot be used without clearance. It is being labeled as part of "anti-corruption" efforts.

My hunch is that this is tied into a capital (funds) repatriation that has been simmering under the surface, but made clear in Mr. Putin's recent press conference to the Russia people. There is a one time "forgiveness" for funds brought back into Russia, no matter how shady the circumstances when those funds were moved offshore. Mr. Putin made it clear that the "forgiveness" period was short, and limited. The country is in a capital crunch and the government is finding that raiding the pension funds of seniors will not solve the problem for very long. They need the Oligarchs to return some bucks, and they want it done pronto--or else.

It is easy to control someone's money if you control their freedom to travel. In passing the new law on dual citizenship registration, the government has deemed it to be "unpatriotic" to hold two passports, and thus citizens holding dual passports are required to register their dual status with the Russian migration service.

I doubt that this is tied into passports of Russian citizens who work normal jobs in France, or somewhere else, but on a more broad scheme, we are seeing the government taking steps to rein in any international activity not sanctioned from the top.