Entry into Russia for Tajik students is complicated

Parents of students at Russian universities are complaining that their children are facing difficulties when entering Russia.

Some parents of Tajik students studying at Russian universities are writing that since August 26, Russian authorities have been creating obstacles for Tajik students when entering the country.

Users in the “Tajik Mama Group” on Facebook claim that upon entering Russia, their children, who are students at Russian universities, are subjected to interrogations by security services and migration authorities lasting 5-6 hours.

According to parents, the interrogations last several hours, and as a result of the interrogations, students may be allowed into the country or may be denied entry and sent back to their homeland.

According to official data, more than 41,200 Tajik students are officially studying abroad, with the majority attending Russian universities. Currently, 33,178 Tajik students are pursuing higher education in Russian universities.

Tajik citizens have previously faced difficulties when entering Russia. There are special unwritten discriminatory rules that apply to migrants from Central Asia. They are usually detained at the border for hours, undergoing interrogations and having their personal belongings checked. Following the violent attacks at “Krokus City Hall,” Russian law enforcement agencies have further tightened control over Tajik migrants.

It was previously reported that after being held for several days under inadequate conditions, hundreds of Tajiks were deported by Russian authorities. Tajik migrants have also faced problems at land borders.

The Russian authorities have stated that delays in passport control for foreigners at the borders of the Russian Federation are temporary and are only “in connection with the intensification of measures to prevent terrorism in Russia.”