ON THE PROBLEM OF THE PASSPORT AND VISA SYSTEM FOR CHINESE MIGRANTS IN THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE

Abstract

History of Chinese migration poses well-deserved interest in modern historical research. In Russia it is represented by several reviews and special research works. At the same time, both the issues related to legal support for crossing the border by migrants and the documents themselves received by the Chinese for the right to stay in Russia remain insufficiently studied. Chinese subjects received the right to visit Russian territory for various purposes after the signing of the Russian-Chinese treaty in Beijing in 1860. In 1864, the rules for the stay of foreigners on the territory of the empire were legislatively formalized in Russia. As evidenced by the data of the Russian archives, based on which this study was carried out, foreigners could enter Russia with national passports, but after a certain time they were required to register with the local administrative authorities and receive a “ticket” for residence for a period of one year. The dissemination of legislation in relation to Chinese migrants in the east of the country stretched out for some time: there were contradictions between the Russian and Chinese authorities on the issue of the necessary documents. The author concludes that one of the most complex and controversial problems associated with Chinese migration in the Russian Empire was the passport and visa system, which began to take shape for Chinese migrants in the second half of the 19th century, when Chinese migrants received special documents for the right to be on the territory of Russia. However, Russian legislation did not provide a stable, stable and uniform form and procedure, and the Russian authorities did not have the opportunity to monitor the observance of passport and visa formalities by Chinese migrants.