Russia exempts citizens from many countries from obtaining a visa, although an Electronic Travel Authorization with a QR code from the Gosuslugimobile app is required in these cases. If a visa is required, depending on country of origin, some people may obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa); while others must apply for a visa at a diplomatic mission of Russia or visa center. A holder of a visa to enter Belarus may also enter Russia with such visa; however, this policy does not apply to Belarusian e-visas.
Types of visas available for issuance include private, business, tourist, educational, working, transit, humanitarian, service, and diplomatic. The length and terms of visas depend on the nationality of the recipient and other personal circumstances. Multi-year tourist visas are available to citizens of the United States (3-year visa, 6 months per visit with an unlimited number of visits) and the European Union (5-year visa).
To apply for a visa, a passport, a passport photo, a tourist invitation letter (can be purchased online), and a printed completed application form are required.[3]
At any border crossing, foreigners may be questioned, have their biometrics taken, including fingerprints and photos, and are subject to search of baggage and mobile phone content, including contact lists, correspondence, and posts on social media. Officers focus on contact with Ukrainians, and any opinions on politics and the Russo-Ukrainian war.[4]
Transporting any amount of currency of countries in the European Union (EU), including Euros, directly to Russia from EU countries such as Estonia and Latvia is prohibited by the EU.[5]
Crimea is under de facto Russian control and the visa policy of Russia applies for travel to Crimea. Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia are internationally recognized as part of Ukraine, and, although they are at least partially or sometimes controlled by Russia, the visa policy of Ukraine applies to travel to these regions.
Upon entering Russia, a visitor will receive a migration paper; this paper must be returned upon leaving the country or a fine must be paid. Replacements can be obtained from the police.[6]
If a visitor who requires a visa loses his or her passport while in Russia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can issue a Return-Home certificate after receipt of a letter from the embassy of such visitor; otherwise, the visitor must apply for an exit visa. Staying in Russia past the expiration date of a visa requires a court decision for deportation.[7]
Visa not required for tour groups (15 days) / eVisa (30 days)
eVisa (30 days)
Visa required
Ordinary passports
Visa-exempt countries
Holders of ordinary passports of the following countries and territories may enter Russia without a visa for visits up to the period listed below.[8][9][10]
Nationals who are exempt from obtaining a visa must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization with a QR code from the Gosuslugimobile app.[11] They may not reset the allowed period of stay by leaving and re-entering the country.
Foreign citizens from visa-exempt countries may only stay 90 days within any 1 calendar year period, unless otherwise stipulated by an international agreement or Russian legislation.[12]
ID - May enter with a national ID card in lieu of a passport. IDKZ - May enter with a national ID card in lieu of a passport if arriving directly from Kazakhstan. IP - May enter with an internal passport. A - For Chinese citizens with People's Republic of China passports, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports or Macao Special Administrative Region passports only. T - Temporary measure until 14 September 2026. 1 - 90 days within any 180-day period. 2 - 90 days within any 365-day period. 3 - 90 days within any 1 calendar year period. 4 - 90 days within any 1 year period. 5 - 60 days within any 180-day period. 6 - 30 days within any 60-day period.
Date of visa changes
Citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan have never required a visa to enter the Russian Federation.
Holders of APEC Business Travel Cards as well as passports issued by full members of APEC (listed below) may enter Russia without a visa for business trips for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.[67][68]
Citizens of China may visit Russia without a visa for up to 15 days and citizens of Iran may visit Russia without a visa for up to 15 days during one trip, but no more than 90 days within any 180-day period if traveling as part of a tour group from 5 to 50 persons that is accompanied by a representative of a tour operator registered in both countries (Russia-China, Russia-Iran).
Mutual recognition of visas between Russia and Belarus
Holders of a valid visa or residence permit of either Belarus or Russia and a mutually recognized identity document may enter both countries, within the validity of the visa; however, this policy does not apply to e-visas.[74][75] In cases where one country has a visa-free regime and the other requires a visa, the person must hold both the ID document and a visa for the latter.[75]
Foreign nationals with temporary permanent residency or a document for attending an international event have the right to enter, exit, stay, and transit without a visa within the validity of their documents.[75]
Stay duration is calculated from entry into one country from a third state.[75]
The common visa does not apply to individuals restricted from entering either country.[75] Officials retain the right to deny entry or reduce the duration of stay for any foreign national or stateless person, as well as to check compliance with entry, exit, transit, or stay regulations.[75]
Crossing between Belarus and Russia via land is allowed only at the following 6 international border crossing points:
Visa-free visits for up to 72 hours for cruise ship and ferry passengers
International tourists entering by regular ferry via several ports are able to stay in Russia visa-free for up to 72 hours, provided that they spend the night on-board or in accommodation specifically approved by the travel agency.[76]
Visa-free visits to Chukotka Autonomous Okrug by indigenous Alaskans
United States - Residents of Alaska who are members of the indigenous population do not require a visa to visit Chukotka Autonomous Okrug if they have relatives (blood relatives, members of the same tribe, native people who have similar language and cultural heritage) in Chukotka. Individuals must be invited by a relative in Chukotka and must leave Chukotka within 90 days. Entry points are in Anadyr, Provideniya, Lavrentiya and Uelen.[79] The agreement was signed between USSR and United States on 23 September 1989 but came into force on 17 July 2015 after ratification by the United States.[79]
Visa-free visits to border areas by residents of Latvia
Latvia - Residents of the border areas of Latvia who have a permit for local border traffic can visit the border areas of Russia without a visa.[80]
The territory covered by the agreement with Latvia
Visa-free visits to border areas by residents of Kazakhstan
Residents of the border areas of Kazakhstan who visit the territory of the border areas of Russia up to three days can enter Russia through checkpoints, which are specially installed for residents of border areas.[81][82][83]
Visa-free visits to border areas by residents of Norway
Norway - 15 days for holders of border traffic permit[84]
Residents of the border areas of Norway who have a permit for local border traffic can visit the border areas of Russia without a visa. From 4 March 2017, the Protocol on amendments to the current agreement entered into force – residents of Neiden, Norway and nearby received the right to receive a permit for local border traffic.[85][86]
The territory covered by the agreement with Norway
Pechengsky District: Korzunovo municipality, Zapolyarny municipality and the territory of Pechenga municipality and Nickel municipality within a zone of 30 kilometres (19mi) from the border.
Visa-free visits to border areas by residents of Poland
Poland - 30 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within a 180-day period for holders of border traffic permit[87]
From 27 July 2012, residents of the border areas of Poland who have a permit for local border traffic can visit Kaliningrad Oblast without a visa. The agreement has been suspended for an indefinite period by Poland from 4 July 2016.[88]
The territory covered by the agreement with Poland
Citizens of following countries may visit Russia without a visa if they are travelling as part of the airline crew:[89] Afghanistan, Algeria, Austria,[90] Belgium,[91] Bulgaria,[92] Canada,[93] China,[94] Croatia, Cyprus,[95] Czech Republic,[96] Denmark,[97] Egypt, Ethiopia,[98] Finland,[99] France,[100] Germany, Greece,[101] Iceland,[102] India, Iraq, Italy,[103] Japan, Jordan,[104] Latvia,[105] Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg,[106] Malta, Netherlands,[107] North Korea, North Macedonia, Norway,[108] Oman,[109] Poland,[110] Portugal,[111] Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Spain,[112][113] Sri Lanka,[114] Sweden,[115] Switzerland, Turkmenistan,[116] United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.[117]
Agreements are pending for Georgia[118] and Tunisia.[119]
Citizens of following countries may visit Russia without a visa if they are travelling as part of the sea crew:[89] Bulgaria,[92] China,1[94] Croatia, Cyprus,[95] DR Congo, Egypt, France,[100] Iran,[120] Iraq, Lithuania, North Korea, Poland,[110] Tunisia,[121] Turkey, Turkmenistan,[116] Vietnam.[117]
Citizens of following countries may visit Russia without a visa if they are travelling as part of the railway crew:[89] China,[94] North Korea, Turkmenistan.[116]
In-airport tranfers
Passengers travelling through international airports do not need a visa for a transit of less than 24 hours in most circumstances, provided a confirmed onward ticket is held and the traveller remains in the international transit area, without clearing regular passport control.
The following international Russian airports do not have international transit areas, meaning a transit visa is required to transfer planes:
In accordance with a treaty between Russia and Finland, though there are passport controls at borders, a visa is not required for just passing through the Russian part of the Saimaa canal without leaving the vessel.[122]
Värska–Ulitina road
The road from Värska to Ulitina in Estonia, traditionally the only road to the Ulitina area, goes through Russian territory for one kilometre (0.6mi) of its length, an area called Saatse Boot. This road has no border control, but there is no connection to any other road in Russia. It is not permitted to stop or walk along the road. This area is a part of Russia but is also a de facto part of the Schengen area.[123]
Electronic visa (e-Visa)
Sample of Russian notification of granting an eVisa
Citizens of the following 64 countries and territories may obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa), which allows entry for up to 30 days until 120 days after issuance.[124][125]
Citizens of 18 countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, China, India, Iran, Japan, North Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates) could apply for an e-Visa to visit to regions in the Far Eastern Federal District.[128]
Citizens of 54 countries could apply for single-entry business, humanitarian and tourist visas to visit the Kaliningrad region.[129]
Non-ordinary passports
Under reciprocal agreements, holders of diplomatic or various categories of service passports (consular, official, service, special) of the following countries and territories may enter and remain in Russia without a visa for the following period:[9]
Russia
Visa not required for holders of diplomatic, official or service passports
Visa not required for holders of official passports
Visa not required for holders of diplomatic passports
C - Consular passports D - Diplomatic passports O - Official passports S - Service passports Sp - Special passports
1 – 90 days within any 365-day period. 2 – 90 days within any 180-day period. 3 - With the right of multiple entry and exit. 4 - Applies only to employees of official institutions operating in the territory of a contracting parties and their families.
Russia is considering visa exemption agreements for the following countries:
Chad - 90 days within any 180 day-period for diplomatic and service passports[134]
Côte d'Ivoire - 90 days for diplomatic and service passports (as of October 2020)[135]
Eritrea - 90 days within any 180 day-period for diplomatic and service passports (as of August 2019)[136]
Ghana - 90 days within any 180 day-period for diplomatic and service passports (as of October 2019)[137]
Lebanon - 90 days within any 180 day-period for diplomatic, service and special passports (as of July 2020)[138]
Saint Lucia - 90 days within any 180 day-period for all passports (as of January 2020)[139]
Uganda - 90 days within any 180 day-period for diplomatic and service passports[140]
As of January 2023, Russia was in talks with Mexico, Malaysia, Bahamas, Barbados, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Zambia to establish visa exemption agreements.[141]
A - 30 days for all passports B - 30 days for ordinary passports TG - For tourist groups
Closed cities
In accordance with the Government Decree of 1992, special authorization is required to enter 19 closed cities in Russia.[146] This restriction does not apply to Russian citizens.
12. In Leningrad Oblast – all Russian islands of Gulf of Finland, except Gogland, and 20 kilometres (12mi) strip along south coast of the Gulf of Finland.
19. The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, 45% of territory. Transit to border with Georgia and to border with South Ossetia are possible along the main roads. Tsey Gorge was opened for foreigners from 2012.
Simplified Ordinary Tourist Visa
The Russian government issues general tourist visas for up to 6 months to citizens from 19 countries with only a hotel reservation or other confirmation of accommodation reservation.[147]
The following is a list of the 10 countries to whose citizens were issued the most Russian electronic visas:[148] Issuance of e-visas was suspended from 2020 to 2023.
↑A visa is not required if holding a letter of guarantee / invitation and a tourist voucher.
↑Previous visa-free agreements under different terms were applied in period 1981-1985 and 1985-1994. 30 days from 29 Jul 1994 to 21 December 2018; 90 days within 180 days period from 21 December 2018.
↑Previous visa-free agreement was applied in period 1990-2008 (was signed between USSR and Yugoslavia).
↑Previous visa-free agreement under different terms was applied in period 1990-2008 (was signed between USSR and Yugoslavia).
↑Previous visa-free agreement under different terms were applied in period 1965 (on duty)/1967 (for tourism)-1990 and 1990-2009 (were signed between USSR and Yugoslavia).
↑Previous visa-free agreements under different terms were applied in period 1990-2008 (was signed between USSR and Yugoslavia) and 2008-2013.
↑Visa-free agreements were applied in period 1970-1979, 1979-1990.
↑Except «citizens of the former USSR permanently residing in the territory of the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Estonia who have not received citizenship of these States».
↑Visa-free agreements under different terms were applied in period 1962-1965, 1965-1969, 1969-1982, 1982-1995 as Czechoslovakia and 1995-2000.
↑Visa-free agreements under different terms were applied in period 1962-1965, 1965-1969, 1969-1982, 1982-1994 as Czechoslovakia and 1994-1995, 1995-2001.
1British Overseas Territories. 2 These countries span the conventional boundary between Europe and Asia. 3 Partially recognized. 4Unincorporated territory of the United States. 5 Part of the Kingdom of Denmark. 6Egypt spans the boundary between Africa and Asia. 7 Unrecognized state.
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