Wolf ticket (Russia)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Wolf ticket (disambiguation).

Wolf ticket is a literal translation of the Russian language term волчий билет (volchiy bilet), a colloquial expression to denote a version of a document with restrictive clauses in comparison to the full document. Figuratively, the term remains in use in many of the countries of the former communist block, usually to denote any kind of document that negatively affects one's career.

Originally the term was used in Imperial Russia to denote a document issued in lieu of the passport to persons who were given a half-year postponement of katorga or exile for settling personal affairs. Later, it denoted a limited certificate for completion of studies. Unlike a regular diploma, it merely stated that the studies were completed, but the student was not allowed to take exams for reasons of poor study or improper behavior.

A "wolf ticket" was a serious impediment to one's career. Still later this term was applied to a document issued in place of a passport to persons released from imprisonment ("certificate of release"). Usually this kind of document restricted the rights of a citizen in terms of place of residence (see 101st kilometre), occupation, etc.