Russian Hotels Introduce Fingerprint Check-In with National Biometric ID

A new service called Migom allows Russian citizens to check into hotels using fingerprint scans—no passport required.

Hotels in Russia are starting to accept biometric check-ins using a system called Migom, which aims to streamline guest registration. Currently available at one hotel within the federal Cosmos chain, the service allows Russian citizens enrolled in the Unified Biometric System to check in using just a fingerprint. Guests simply scan their finger at a digital kiosk—no need to present a passport.

Enrollment in the system can be done through major Russian banks. The new process reduces check-in times from 15–20 minutes to just 3–5 minutes. According to Vladislav Povolotsky, CEO of the Center for Biometric Technologies, this marks the first time a national identity system has been integrated into hotel operations globally. The technology saves time for guests and improves workflow for hotel staff.

The system was developed by Russian tech firm VisionLabs, which specializes in computer vision and machine learning. The team installed biometric terminals, connected them to domestic servers, integrated digital services, and built a secure data protection framework.