The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Turkmenistan has posted information on its official website about the new regulation of the circulation of telephone SIM cards in Russia, according to which, from January 1 of this year, the peculiarities of the sale of SIM cards to foreign citizens and stateless persons are provided.

In particular, the sale of SIM cards will be carried out upon presentation of an identity document of a foreign citizen or stateless person and subject to confirmation of the accuracy of the information about the person through the Unified Identification and Authentication System and the Unified Biometric System. In addition, the contract for the provision of communication services must contain information about the identifier (IMEI) of the user equipment (phone, tablet, etc.) in which the SIM card will be used.

In this case, the contract can only be concluded in person, and not online. A foreign citizen or stateless person can purchase no more than 10 mobile phone numbers.

These restrictions on foreign citizens do not apply to employees of foreign diplomatic missions, consular offices and representative offices of international organizations, holders of foreign diplomatic and service passports, as well as to family members of all of the above.

Since January 1 of this year, a ban on anonymous payment for a telephone number in cash has come into force.

In addition, since April 1, 2025

When purchasing a SIM card, foreign citizens and stateless persons will be notified of this on State Services and by SMS;
All telephone numbers registered to them will be displayed in the personal account of a foreign citizen or stateless person on State Services. In this case, the person will be able to refuse a telephone number on State Services.
You can find detailed information about the new regulation of the circulation of telephone SIM cards in Russia here.