DUSHANBE, June 26, 2013, Asia-Plus – Over the past month, Asia-Plus has received letters from its readers, who say that they can’t travel to the Russian Federation with biometric passport.  According to them problems with Tajik biometric passports arises only in the Russian Federation.

Meanwhile, the Tajik MFA says that there are no any problems with Tajik biometric passports in the Russian Federation.  “Tajikistan introduced biometric passports three years ago and we have not received any complaint over biometric passports so far,” Rustam Hasanov, 3rd Secretary with the Consular Department, MFA told Asia-Plus in an interview.

He added that Tajik nationals who had been faced with such problems in Russia could apply to the Consular Department.  “For this, they should dial +992 37 221 15 60,” Hasanov noted.  While outside Tajikistan, they may apply to Tajik diplomatic mission or consulate, he said.

We will recall that Tajikistan introduced biometric passports on February 1, 2010.  German Muhlbauer has been granted a contract for purchase of blank biometric passports for Tajikistan. A two-stage tender for purchase of blank biometric passports and appropriate equipment, announced by the Agency for State Purchases at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was held in June 2009.  On August 27, 2009, Tajik MFA and German Muhlbauer signed a contract on purchase of blank biometric passports and appropriate equipment for Tajikistan.

Current fees are US$125.00 for diplomatic biometric passport, US$100.00 for service biometric passport and US$75.00 for regular biometric passport.  The fee for biometric passport for minors under the age of 16 is US$25.00.