Russia’s tightening of entry rules for nationals of Central Asia is so extensive that observers in the region say it amounts to Moscow introducing a visa regime under the banner of national security.

From June 30, migrants and others wanting to cross a border into Russia will be required to give Russian authorities notice of their planned trip. Along with the notification, they will have to submit a form stating the purpose of the visit, while they will also be subject to fingerprinting and must have their photo taken for the authorities no later than 72 hours prior to entering Russia.

The new entry rules will apply to citizens of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and any other countries with which Russia has a visa-free agreement.

Human rights activist and migration expert Valentina Chupik told told Radio Azattyk that the sweeping and extensive measures mean Russia is covertly introducing an electronic visa regime with Central Asian countries.

Radio Azattyk asked the Kazakh foreign ministry’s official representative, Aibek Smadiyarov, if Kazakhstan might apply mirror measures to the border entry of Russian citizens.

He responded that “we are studying this issue very carefully, and this requires consultation with our government agencies”, but he also rejected media reports that the new Russian requirements amount to a visa regime.

"Some media outlets for some reason write simple migration requirements in the headlines that Russia is introducing a visa regime. We have a visa-free regime with Russia, and it will remain. This is just a requirement for crossing the border," Smadiyarov was reported as saying.

Pressure to join armed forces

Meanwhile, internal controls that Russia is set to apply to foreign nationals entering the country without a visa—first in Moscow and Moscow Region on a trial basis and then, possibly, nationwide—have sparked claims that Moscow is trying to pressurise Central Asian and other migrants to join the armed forces.

The visa-less nationals will be required to register in a government-run mobile application. It will track their geolocation via their mobile phones in real time. Failure to transmit location data for more than three days could place an individual on a special watchlist, essentially opening up a fast track to deportation.

Fingerprinting, biometric photos, proof of residence, and constant digital surveillance will be applied to all the foreign nationals that come under the scheme.

"To be honest, we're not surprised," Dilshod Abdurakhmon, an expert on migration, told RFE/RL's Russian Service, when asked about the introduction of the programme, saying he believed that the move was part of a broader strategy to place pressure on foreign workers into signing military contracts.

"Since the war in Ukraine began, Russia has passed numerous anti-migrant laws. I believe this one is specifically designed to coerce migrants into joining the war effort. It's a deliberate policy meant to leave them with no other options," said Abdurakhmon.

According to Abdurakhmon, Russian authorities are exploiting the fact that Central Asian migrants so often face a dire economic situation, with no job opportunities, if they return to their homeland.

"The dictators in these countries don't care about reducing the outflow of workers or creating jobs at home. Migrants often live in unbearable conditions, so they're forced to leave," he was quoted as saying, adding: "Russia knows this and takes advantage of their desperation with inhumane laws."