Special public security measures and migration rules for the 2018 FIFA World Cup

The following measures will be applicable in the host cities and regions from 25 May 2018 to 25 July 2018:

• special rules for registration of citizens; and
• public security measures, including:
  • tighter rules on the sale of alcohol;
  • special rules regulating the movement of buses;
  • a ban on the storage, sale and carrying of weapons, explosives and poisonous substances;
  • measures aimed at ensuring public order in sports and accommodation facilities to be used by the teams.

These measures complement the restrictions affecting companies’ operations during the World Cup (which were reported in our previous eAlert), all of which will be implemented under Presidential Decree No. 202 dated 9 May 2017 as amended by Presidential Decree No. 214 dated 12 May 2018 (the “Decree”).

Registration requirements

Russian and foreign citizens are required to register upon their arrival in any World Cup host city from 25 May to 25 July 2018. This covers Kaliningrad, Kazan, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Saint Petersburg, Samara, Saransk, Sochi, Volgograd and Yekaterinburg (each a “Host City”).

Russian citizens

Russian citizens must apply to be registered at their accommodation in a Host City (except when moving within the same region of the Russian Federation) within three days of arrival. The application must be made to the officers responsible for transfer of documents to the registration authorities or to the relevant territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (the “Ministry of Internal Affairs”).

Russian citizens staying in hospitals, hotels, sanatoriums, holiday centres, boarding houses, camps, hostels or other specified places of temporary accommodation do not have to be registered.

Foreign citizens

Foreign citizens must apply to be registered at their accommodation in a Host City within three days of arrival.

The foreign citizen’s host must submit the application to the Ministry of Internal Affairs or to the multifunctional centre of provision of state services. Registration at post offices is not allowed during the World Cup. The foreign citizen must file the required application him/herself if the host is unable to do so due to a legitimate excuse confirmed by documents (or if the foreign citizen owns accommodation that he/she may declare as the place of his/her stay).

The Decree applies not only to foreign football fans holding Fan IDs, but also to all foreign citizens (including highly qualified foreign specialists and members of their families) who plan to visit a Host City during this period.

If the foreign citizen stays in a hotel, sanatorium, boarding house, holiday centre, children recreation camp, hostel, camp, hospital or social services centre, the notification on his/her arrival must be completed by one of the above organisations within one day of arrival.

Based on the application of the Decree during the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2017 and statements attributed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, registration will be possible seven days a week. We recommend checking the exact working hours of the relevant office in advance.

Restrictions on the sales of alcohol

The sale of alcohol in glass bottles will be prohibited on match days (as well as the day before) in certain territories of Host Cities. The authorities of the relevant region may also determine that all alcohol sales are to be prohibited in high risk areas, including those subject to large public gatherings.

Special rules for bus movements

During the World Cup, buses will have restricted access to Host Cities. Entry will be permitted only for:

• regular commuter buses;
• buses equipped with navigation equipment that is registered in the ERA-GLONASS system, and which have notified the World Cup Transport Directorate of their planned entry; or
• buses authorised by the relevant office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

It is anticipated that buses coming into Russia from other countries will have to install the ERA-GLONASS system at the border crossing. However, to date, there is no legislation regulating this procedure.

Restrictions on circulation of weapons, explosives and poisonous substances

The storage, sale and carrying of explosives and poisonous substances, as well as civil and service weapons (except for those exempted by the Decree) will be prohibited in Host Cities and regions from 25 May 2018 to 25 July 2018.

The law enforcement bodies will have the right to seize weapons during the World Cup and return them to their owners after 26 July 2018.

Additional security measures

Enhanced security measures will be effective in facilities hosting the World Cup.

In particular, the Decree establishes controlled and prohibited areas, where individuals and vehicles will be granted access only after inspection or provided entry is required for business or production purposes.