Dear Russian seafarers,
We draw your attention to a problem that has ceased to be a mere "formality" and directly impacts crew changes, visa processing, joining a vessel, and timely sign-offs from contracts.
We are talking about the 5-year old-generation Russian international passport, i.e., the non-biometric passport. Such a document may still be valid in terms of its expiry date, but this no longer means it will be accepted for visa processing, border crossing, or joining/signing off via certain countries.
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly clarifies: the Russian non-biometric international passport is usually issued for 5 years and does not have the electronic travel document symbol on the cover, whereas the biometric passport is issued for 10 years and contains such a symbol.
Why this is specifically important for seafarers
For a seafarer, a passport is not just a document for a holiday trip. It is a working tool. Visas, transits, joining a vessel, repatriation, sign-offs, crew changes, and border crossings under tight deadlines all depend on it.
Problems can arise at the most inconvenient moment:
when applying for a Schengen visa, when flying to the vessel, during airport transit, when disembarking at a European port, or during an urgent sign-off at the end of a contract.
Even if you have successfully managed crew changes with such a passport in the past, it does not guarantee the next change will go as smoothly. Practices are changing, the list of countries is expanding, and decisions by border and consular authorities are becoming increasingly strict.
Which countries already pose a risk
According to official information from Estonia, starting from March 31, 2025, non-biometric Russian international passports are not accepted for entry into Estonia or for applying for an Estonian visa. Moreover, such non-recognition means it is impossible to cross the land, air, or sea border of the country with this document.
As of February 6, 2026, Estonia indicated that Russian non-biometric passports are not recognized in the following countries: Estonia, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, France, Romania, Denmark, and the Czech Republic.
It was separately reported that Germany and Romania, as of January 1, 2026, have ceased to recognize Russian international passports without biometric data.
Malta and other countries need to be checked separately before each specific crew change: according to public statements, the lists may differ, and the official EU database of recognized documents is updated regularly. The EU Council indicates that the lists of documents suitable for crossing external borders and for visa purposes are compiled by the European Commission with the participation of EU and Schengen Area countries.
The Czech Republic is not a primary cause for panic, but the overall trend is clear
Yes, for certain routes, crew changes via the Czech Republic may proceed without serious complications. However, maritime logistics rarely depend on just one country. The route can change due to flights, the port of joining, the vessel's schedule, agent requirements, the visa center, or a border service decision.
Today, the problem might not affect a specific crew change. Tomorrow, it could cause a delay, a visa refusal, inability to depart, or a failed sign-off.
This is precisely why relying solely on past successful experience is already risky.
What we strongly recommend
When choosing the type of international passport, do not give in to the temptation to get the 5-year old-generation passport, even if it is simpler or faster to obtain.
The optimal option for a seafarer is the 10-year Russian biometric international passport.
For those who currently hold a valid 5-year non-biometric passport, it is recommended not to wait until it expires. Even if several years remain until the passport expires, it is wise to obtain a second international passport during your next vacation — a biometric one, valid for 10 years.
This is not an overcaution, but a standard professional safety measure.
Possible consequences of keeping the 5-year passport
Having only a non-biometric passport can lead to the following problems:
— refusal or inability to apply for a visa;
— restriction of the travel route to the vessel;
— refusal of border crossing;
— inability to enter via a specific airport or port;
— delay in joining the vessel;
— postponement or cancellation of the crew change;
— problems with timely sign-off;
— additional expenses for tickets, accommodation, re-documentation, and coordination.
For a seafarer, this can mean not just inconvenience, but a direct risk to the contract.
Conclusion
The 5-year non-biometric Russian international passport is becoming an increasingly unreliable document for international maritime work. Formally, it may remain valid, but in practice, it is no longer accepted everywhere for visa processing and border crossing.
The number of countries introducing restrictions is likely to grow. Therefore, our recommendation is unequivocal:
Obtain the 10-year biometric international passport. If you already have a 5-year passport, use your next vacation to get a second, biometric one.
This will help avoid problems with visas, joining vessels, transit, and timely sign-offs from contracts.
