Visa policy of Russia

Citizens of third countries are not allowed to cross the Belarus–Russia land border due to a lack of international border crossing points, because passports must be stamped.[23][24] Visitors are advised[25] to enter mainland Russia via other countries such as Terehova–Burachki and Senkivka–Novye Yurkovichi.

Entry will be allowed through the road checkpoints on the border between Russia and Belarus in 2021:[26]

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.[27][28][29]

Travellers who are nationals of the following 63(+3) nations are not required to obtain a visa prior to visit Russia as long as the length of their trip is within the visa waiver limit listed below.[30][31]

From 2014, citizens of these countries—except for citizens of Belarus and South Ossetia, who have the right to unlimited visa-free entry to Russia—must not stay longer than 90 days within any 180-day period. Resetting the allowed period by leaving and re-entering the country is no longer allowed. Overstaying up to 180 days is punishable by a three-year entry ban, 180–270 days by a five-year entry ban, and over 270 days by a ten-year entry ban.[32]

_{ID – May enter with a national ID card.
ID(KZ) – May enter with a national ID card if arriving from Kazakhstan.
1 – 90 days within any 365-day period.
2 – 90 days within any one-year period.
3 – 60 days within any 180-day period.
4 – 90 days within any 180-day period.
5 – 30 days within any 60-day period.}

On 19 June 2020, Russia and Belarus have signed an agreement on mutual recognition of visas.[82] After ratification visa-free entry will be available for holders of a valid visa or residence permit of Belarus.[83]

FAN ID

In 2018 the Russian government introduced a visa-free entry for holders of a FanID, for spectators of sports, cultural, and other events.

Holders of tickets for matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup championship could enter Russia without a visa from 4 June to 15 July 2018 by using a personalized card (also known as a fan passport or fan-ID) and their valid passport. Spectators admitted with a FanID had to leave Russia no later than 26 July 2018. According to the Border Service of Russia over 633,000 foreign nationals arrived in Russia using a FanID rather than a visa. Of these, 68,000 were citizens of China, 52,000 from the United States, 44,000 from Mexico, 31,000 from the UK, and 30,000 from Germany.[84] Russia later extended its visa-free travel regime for foreign soccer fans until the end of 2018.[85]

Holders of tickets for matches of the UEFA Euro 2020 championship in Saint Petersburg will be able to enter Russia without a visa during the matches in 2021.[86][87][88]

Since May 2009 international tourists entering by regular ferry via several ports have been 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.[89]

In addition tourists entering by tourist cruise ships can leave the ship visa-free on tours organized by any authorized local tour company, when entering Russia through the ports of Anadyr, Kaliningrad, Korsakov, Novorossiysk, Murmansk, Sevastopol, Sochi, Saint Petersburg (Big port Saint Petersburg and Passenger Port of St. Petersburg), Vladivostok, Vyborg, Zarubino.[90][91][92]

Entry to the port of St. Petersburg by regular ferry can be done only from the ports of Tallinn (Estonia) or Helsinki (Finland). It is also possible to travel visa-free for 72 hours from the port of Stockholm with the stop in Helsinki.[93][94]

•  Japan — Group travel to central and southern Kuril Islands for pre-approved lists of the Foreign Ministry. Visits are carried out on the basis of identity cards and inserts.[95]
  Visa-free for citizens of Japan who visit the burial place of relatives located in the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin Island, by pre-authorized list in the regional Russian-Japanese consultations.[96]On September 5 2022, Russia terminated the agreement with Japan on facilitated visits to the Kuriles by Japanese citizens – former residents of these islands.[97]
•  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.[98][99] The agreement was signed between USSR and USA on 23 September 1989[100] but came into force on 17 July 2015 after ratification by the United States.[101]

Local border traffic

•  Latvia — 90 days for holders of border traffic permit[102][103]

From 6 June 2013 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. From 16 December 2018 amendments to the current agreement entered into force. The procedure for obtaining a permit was simplified, total period of stay (within 180 days) was canceled, and the stamping of travel documents at the border crossing was canceled.[104]

•  Norway — 15 days for holders of border traffic permit[105]

From 29 May 2012 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 area of Neiden received the right to receive a permit for local border traffic.[106][107]

•  Poland — 30 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within a 180-day period for holders of border traffic permit[108][109]

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.[110][111]

Visa is not required for crew members of airlines, sea crew, river crew, rail crew that have a bilateral agreement with the Russian government exempting crew members from visa requirements.[112][113]

Citizens of following countries may visit Russia without a visa if they are travelling as part of the airline crew: Afghanistan,[114] Algeria,[115] Austria,[116] Belgium,[117] Bulgaria,[118] Canada,[119] China,[120] Croatia,[121] Cyprus,[122] Czech Republic,[123] Denmark,[124] Egypt,[125] Ethiopia,[126] Finland,[127] France,[128] Germany,[129] Greece[130] Iceland,[131] India,[132] Iraq,[133] Italy,[134] Japan,[135] Jordan,[136] Latvia,[137] Lebanon,[138][139] Libya,[140] Lithuania,[141] Luxembourg,[142] Malta,[143] Netherlands,[144] North Korea,[145] North Macedonia,[146] Norway,[147] Oman,[148] Poland,[149] Portugal,[150] Qatar,[151] Romania,[152] Singapore,[153] Spain,[154] Sri Lanka,[155] Sweden,[156] Switzerland,[157] Turkmenistan,[158] United Arab Emirates,[159] United Kingdom,[160] Vietnam.[161]

Agreement was signed with Italy[162] and it yet to be ratified.

Russian Government has instructed the Foreign Ministry to sign an agreement with Georgia,[163] and Tunisia.[164]

Citizens of following countries may visit Russia without a visa if they are travelling as part of the sea crew: Bulgaria,[118] China,¹ [120] Croatia,[121] Cyprus,[122] DR Congo,[165] Egypt,[166] France,[128] Iran,[167] Iraq,[168] Lithuania,¹ [141] North Korea,[145] Poland,[149] Tunisia,[169] Turkey, Turkmenistan,¹ [170] Vietnam.[161]

_{1 – including riverboats crew}

Citizens of following countries may visit Russia without a visa if they are travelling as part of the railway crew: China,[120] North Korea,[171] Turkmenistan.[172]

Direct airside transit

Passengers travelling through international airports do not need a visa for a transit of less than 24 hours in most circumstances,[173] provided a confirmed onward ticket is held and the traveller remains in the international transit area (without clearing regular passport control).[174]

A transit visa is needed when transiting Russia to/from Belarus

The following international Russian airports do not have international transit areas, meaning a transit visa is required to connect there:

Saimaa canal

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.[175]

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 (0.6 mi) 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.

  Russia including Crimea[Note 17]

  Visa-free for holders of diplomatic and service category passports

  Visa-free for holders of diplomatic passports

Under reciprocal agreements, holders of diplomatic or various categories of service passports (official, service, special, consular) issued by the following countries, territories and jurisdictions are allowed to enter and remain in Russia for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted) without a visa:[30][31]

_{D* – diplomatic passport only (diplomatic and service passports for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia)
D — diplomatic passports
S — service passports
O — official passports
Sp — special passports
C — consular passports}

_{1 – unlimited
2 – 3 months
3 – 90 days within any 365-day period
4 – 90 days within any one-year period
5 – 90 days within any 180-day period
6 – 60 days
7 – 30 days
8 – 14 days
9 – only for employees of Zimbabwe official institutions in Russia}

Among nationals of countries whose citizens are normally visa-exempt, only holders of diplomatic or service category passports of Israel, service passports of Qatar and service passports of the UAE require a visa.

The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) is a travel document issued to business travellers who are citizens of APEC participating economies. Valid for five years, the card eliminates the need for its holder to possess a visa when visiting other APEC participating economies.

From 1 June 2013,[177][178] holders of passports issued by the following countries who possess an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) containing the "RUS" code on the reverse that it is valid for travel to Russia can enter visa-free for business trips for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.[179][180]

ABTCs are issued to nationals of:[181]

Russian transit visa with entry and exit stamps in a Swedish passport

Entry stamp in the Russian federation issued at Sheremetyevo Airport

Depending on the purpose of entry into the Russian Federation and the purposes of stay, visas are categorized as:

• Private
• Business
• Tourist
• Educational
• Working
• Humanitarian
• Entry (for receiving shelter or to obtain citizenship in Russia)[472]

Diplomatic visa

A diplomatic visa shall be issued to a foreign citizen holding a diplomatic passport.
A diplomatic visa is issued:

• to foreign heads of state, foreign heads of government, members of the foreign official delegations, family members of such persons traveling with them or accompanying them – for a period of up to one year.
• to diplomatic agents of diplomatic missions and consular officials of consular establishments, the staff of representations of the international organizations in the Russian Federation which have the diplomatic status in the Russian Federation, to family members of specified persons for a period of up to one year.
• to foreign diplomatic and consular couriers for the term of business trip.
• to officials of the foreign states who have the official status in the Russian Federation have the right to a diplomatic visa and who come for a working visit to diplomatic missions or consular establishments of the foreign states in the Russian Federation or to the international organizations or their representations in the Russian Federation, for a period of up to one year.

Service visa

A service visa is issued to the foreign citizen having service (consular, official, special) passport.
A service visa is issued:

• to members of foreign official delegations, family members of such persons traveling with them or accompanying them – for a period of up to one year.
• to administrative and technical and service personnel of diplomatic missions, consular employees and service personnel of consular establishments of the foreign states in the Russian Federation, representations of the international organizations in the Russian Federation and to family members of such persons for a period of up to one year.
• to military personnel of armed forces of the foreign states and family members of such persons for a period of up to one year. Extension of term of stay in the Russian Federation by issuance of the multiple entry visa for a period of validity of the foreign trade contract registered in accordance with the established procedure, but no more than for five years is allowed to the military personnel of armed forces of the foreign states driving to the Russian Federation for implementation of international treaties of the Russian Federation and (or) decisions of public authorities of the Russian Federation in the field of military and technical cooperation, and family members of such persons.
• to foreign state officials who have the official status in the Russian Federation have the right to be issued a service visa and those who travel for a working visit to diplomatic missions or consular establishments of the foreign states in the Russian Federation or in the international organizations or their representations in the Russian Federation, for a period of up to one year.

Ordinary visa

Depending on the purpose of entry of the foreign citizen into the Russian Federation and the purpose of his stay in the Russian Federation ordinary visas are subdivided on private, business, tourist, educational, working, humanitarian and entry visas to the Russian Federation for temporary residence or citizenship ceremony:

1. An ordinary private visa is issued for a period of up to three months to foreign citizens traveling to Russia for a short visit on the basis of an invitation letter. Citizens from certain countries (based on the principle of reciprocity) can receive a visa for a period of up to one year.
2. An ordinary business visa is issued for a period of up to one year to foreign citizens traveling to Russia for a business trip.
3. An ordinary tourist visa is issued for a period of up to one month (or on the basis of the principle of reciprocity for a period of up to six months) to foreign citizens traveling to Russia as tourists, if holding an invitation letter by a Russian tour operator. Invitations can be issued by many hotels on request (sometimes for a fee) or through various online services associated with Russian tour operators.
   An ordinary tourist group visa is issued for a period of up to one month to foreign citizens traveling to Russia as a tourist in an organized tourist group (not less than five people), of holding a confirmation by an organization in the unified federal register of tour operators.
4. An ordinary student visa is issued for a period of up to one year to foreign citizens traveling to Russia for training in the educational institution.
5. An ordinary work visa is issued to foreign citizens visiting Russia for work purposes for a period of validity of the employment contract or civil contract for performance of work (rendering services), but no more than for one year.
6. An ordinary humanitarian visa is issued for a period of up to one year (or on the basis of the principle of reciprocity for a period of up to five years) to foreign citizens visiting Russia for a scientific, cultural, political or a sport visit, religious communication and contacts, pilgrimage, charity, delivery of humanitarian aid.
7. An ordinary entry visa to Russia for receiving a shelter is issued to foreign citizens for a period of up to three months if holding a decision of the federal executive authority authorized on implementation of functions on control and supervision in the sphere of migration on recognition of this foreign citizen as a refugee on the territory of Russia.
8. An ordinary entry visa to Russia to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation is issued to foreign citizens for a period of up to one year if holding a decision on recognition of such foreign citizen as a native speaker of Russian.
9. An ordinary entry visa to Russia to obtain permission for temporary resident is issued to foreign citizens for a period of up to four months.

Transit visa

A Transit visa is issued for a period of up to ten days to the foreign citizen for transit through the territory of Russia.

Visa of temporary living person

A visa of temporarily living person is issued for four months to the foreign citizen to whom entry into Russia is allowed for temporary residence, within a quota of delivery of permissions to temporary residence.

Entry and exit passport stamps issued at Saint Petersburg seaport

All types of Russian entry visas are received through Russian embassies and consulates. Provided all the documents are ready, the process usually takes no more than 3-10 workdays for Russian travel visa.[473]

Russian Tourist Visa requirements:[474]

• Original passport
• One photo (colour, passport size photo)
• Tourist invitation
• Russian Consulate Application Form

The Russian Consulate requires the visa application form to be printed on A4 paper with right and bottom margins of 5mm. A failure to meet these requirements invalidates the form.

Russia requires that an alien who needs a visa on entry be in possession of a valid visa upon exit. To satisfy this formal requirement, exit visas sometimes need to be issued. Russia requires an exit visa if a visitor stays well past the expiration date of their visa. They must then extend their visa or apply for an exit visa and are not allowed to leave the country until they show a valid visa or have a permissible excuse for overstaying their visa (e.g., a note from a doctor or a hospital explaining an illness, missed flight, lost or stolen visa). In some cases, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can issue a Return-Home certificate that is valid for ten days from the embassy of the visitor's native country, thus eliminating the need for an exit visa.[475][476][477]

A foreign citizen granted a temporary residence permit in Russia needs a temporary resident visa to take a trip abroad (valid for both exit and return). It is also colloquially called an exit visa.

Almost all Russian embassies and consulates, require visa applications to be submitted to semi-private visa processing centers instead of directly to the consular section of the embassy. Costs differ.

From January 2015 visa applicants from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Myanmar and Namibia will be obliged to provide fingerprint scans. After a trial period it will be decided whether to expand this to other countries as well.[478]

Russia plans to require, from 1 July 2019, fingerprinting and photographing of all foreign citizens entering the Russian Federation without a visa and staying for more than 30 days.[479]