On October 7, 2026, the Fourth Counter-Terrorism Forum opened in Minsk (Republic of Belarus), bringing together the CIS Conference on Countering Terrorism and Extremism, the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure international scientific and practical conference, and joint counter-terrorism exercises.
October 7 marks the 24th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which formalized the establishment of the CSTO as an international regional organization. The goals set out in the document, including strengthening peace and stability and collectively protecting the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the member states, remain the foundation for developing mutually beneficial, truly allied cooperation. On this basis, the Russian Federation is chairing the CSTO in 2026 under the motto “Collective security in a multipolar world: a common goal, shared responsibility.”
From October 18 to 23 this year, a special exercise codenamed “Cobalt-2026” will be held in the Republic of Tajikistan.
Today, the active phase of the command-and-staff exercise with the Collective Operational Reaction Forces (CORF) of the CSTO “Interaction-2026” and the special exercises “Search-2026” and “Echelon-2026” concluded in the Russian Federation.
The CSTO website has posted up-to-date information on the new rules for foreign citizens staying in Russia
08.10.2025
In accordance with the decision of the 28th meeting of the Coordination Council of Heads of Competent Authorities of CSTO Member States on Combating Illegal Migration, the CSTO official website has published information and reference material from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs explaining the key changes in the procedure for foreign citizens staying in Russia.
The document is intended to inform citizens of the CSTO member states and contains a summary of current rules that came into force in 2024-2025.
Key innovations reflected in the materials:
1. New rules for temporary stays:
For citizens of “visa-free” countries, the total length of a temporary stay in Russia is limited to 90 days within a single calendar year. Exceeding this limit will result in a ban on entry until the following year, except in cases where the relevant permits (temporary residence permit, permanent residence permit, patent, etc.) have been obtained.
2. Changes in obtaining a temporary residence permit and a residence permit.
To obtain a temporary residence permit without a quota through marriage to a Russian citizen, one of the following conditions must now be met: the marriage must have lasted at least three years, or the couple must have a child together.
A residence permit for a foreign parent of a child who is a Russian citizen born out of wedlock is issued only if a court confirms that they have lived together in Russia for at least three years.
3. Digitization of migration procedures.
Russia is conducting an experiment to create a digital profile for foreign citizens. Using the “RuID” mobile app, it is possible to check in advance whether entry is permitted, and in Moscow and the surrounding region, the “Amina” app is being used as part of the experiment to notify authorities of a person's actual location.
4. Tightening of exam control.
From December 2024, only authorized state institutions will have the right to conduct exams on proficiency in the Russian language, knowledge of history and the basics of legislation, and to issue certificates.
5. New rules for minors.
Starting April 1, 2025, foreign children must present a document confirming the legality of their stay in the Russian Federation and pass a Russian language test in order to enroll in Russian schools.
6. Increased responsibility and new control mechanisms.
For violations of migration legislation, foreign citizens may be entered into the Register of Controlled Persons, which imposes serious restrictions, including a ban on leaving the region, conducting financial transactions, and registering property.
Persons who do not have legal grounds for staying in the country may be subject to expulsion under the migration regime, and in the event of evasion, forced deportation with placement in a special institution.
The full text of the information and reference materials is available in the relevant section of the CSTO official website:
