Visa policy of Russia
Introduction The '''visa policy of Russia''' deals with the requirements which a foreign national wishing to enter the Russian Federation must meet to obtain a visa, which is a permit to travel to, enter, and remain in the country. Visa exemptions are based on bilateral or multilateral agreements.Russia has agreements with scores of countries whose citizens are either exempt from visas or can apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa).Citizens of countries without such an agreement with Russia must obtain a visa in advance from a Russian diplomatic mission or visa centre.Foreign citizens, while in the territory of Russia, must comply with the legislation of Russia, including requirements of customs, border and immigration regimes, rules of travel finance, registration, internal movement within the territory of Russia and extensions of stay.Nothing limits the right of competent authorities of Russia to deny entry or to shorten the period of stay in the territory of Russia for foreign citizens.
Border-crossing points Foreign citizens may enter into the territory of Russia through the border-crossing points open to international passenger traffic.As of 11 June 2020, Russia has 386 checkpoints. across the state border of Russia.===Land border with Belarus===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. Visitors are advised 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:===Land border with 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.
Visa policy map Visa policy of Russia
Visa exemption ===Ordinary passports===Holders of ordinary passports of the following countries and territories may enter Russia without a visa if the duration of their visit does not exceed the visa-free limit specified below (except for citizens of Belarus and South Ossetia, who have the right to unlimited visa-free entry to Russia).From 2014, 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 10-year entry ban. '''Freedom of movement'''*ID*IP'''90 days within any 180 days'''*IP*1*********************TD*2*ID*ID**************ID****** (holders of an alien passport only)* (holders of a non-citizen passport only)'''60 days'''**3***4'''30 days'''*5**********'''14 days'''***ID - May enter with a national ID card in lieu of a passport.IP - May enter with an internal passport in lieu of a passport.TD - May enter with a "Travel Document in Lieu of National Passport" in lieu of a passport.1 - 90 days within any 365-day period.2 - 90 days within any 1-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.Date of visa changes*Armenian, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Moldovan, Tajik, Ukrainian, and Uzbek citizens have never required a visa to enter the Russian Federation. *29 July 1994: Cuba*24 March 2007: Thailand*17 June 2008: Estonia and Latvia (holders of an alien passport and a non-citizen passport) (resumed)*20 September 2008: Israel*31 October 2008: North Macedonia*21 November 2008: Montenegro*6 March 2009: Venezuela*10 June 2009: Serbia*29 June 2009: Argentina*1 July 2009: Hong Kong*7 June 2010: Brazil*3 July 2010: Nicaragua*18 January 2011: Chile*13 March 2011: Colombia*25 April 2011: South Ossetia*26 April 2011: Abkhazia*21 June 2011: Peru*27 December 2011: Uruguay*29 February 2012: Guatemala*30 September 2012: Macao*24 November 2012: Ecuador*1 May 2013: Bosnia and Herzegovina*29 July 2013: Fiji*1 January 2014: South Korea*20 October 2014: Paraguay*14 November 2014: Mongolia (resumed under different terms)*8 February 2015: Panama*14 May 2015: Nauru*11 July 2015: Honduras*27 November 2015: Guyana*14 December 2015: Seychelles*10 April 2016: Mauritius*27 August 2016: El Salvador*3 October 2016: Bolivia*21 October 2016: Vanuatu*30 March 2017: South Africa*9 July 2017: Samoa*21 November 2017: Saint Kitts and Nevis*2 December 2017: Laos*24 December 2017: Grenada*8 January 2018: Brunei*27 November 2018: Jamaica*27 December 2018: Palau*7 January 2019: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines*14 January 2019: Dominica*17 February 2019: United Arab Emirates*13 May 2019: Suriname*25 May 2019: Costa Rica*25 July 2019: Maldives*8 October 2019: Botswana*22 October 2019: Antigua and Barbuda*23 February 2020: Qatar*4 July 2020: Cabo Verde*25 November 2020: Andorra*15 December 2020: Dominican Republic*2 August 2021: Namibia *12 January 2022: Belize*10 May 2023: Georgia (resumed)Cancelled:As the Soviet Union:*East Germany: 1990As the Russian Federation:*Estonia and Latvia: 12 May 1993*Vietnam: 20 February 1994*Lithuania: 19 April 1994*Mongolia: 5 May 1995 (resumed under different terms in 2014)*North Korea: 22 May 1997*Turkmenistan: 17 July 1999*Slovenia: 1 December 1999*Czech Republic: 29 May 2000*Georgia: 3 December 2000 (was resumed in 2023)*Estonia and Latvia (holders of an alien passport and a non-citizen passport): 1 January 2001 (was resumed in 2008)*Slovakia: 1 January 2001*Hungary: 14 June 2001*Bulgaria: 7 May 2002*Poland: 1 October 2003*Cyprus: 1 January 2004*Romania: 1 March 2004*Croatia: 31 March 2013*Turkey: 1 January 2016===Visa waiver provisions=======Tour groups====**Citizens of China and Iran may visit Russia without a visa for up to 15 days 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).====Common visa====On 19 June 2020, Russia and Belarus have signed an agreement on mutual recognition of visas.After ratification, visa-free entry will be available for holders of a valid visa or residence permit of Belarus.==== Visa-free visits for up to 72 hours for cruise ship and ferry passengers ====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.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.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.==== Visa-free zones ====* — 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. 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. On September 5, 2022, Russia terminated the agreement with Japan on facilitated visits to the Kuriles by Japanese citizens – former residents of these islands. * — 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. The agreement was signed between USSR and USA on 23 September 1989 but came into force on 17 July 2015 after ratification by the United States. '''Local border traffic'''* — 90 days for holders of border traffic permitFrom 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. The territory covered by the agreement with Latvia Latvia Alūksne Municipality Alsviķi parish, Alūksne town, Anna parish, Jaunalūksne parish, Jaunanna parish, Jaunlaicene parish, Liepna parish, Maliena parish, Mālupe parish, Mārkalne parish, Pededze parish, Veclaicene parish, Ziemeri parish Baltinava Municipality Balvi Municipality Balvi parish, Balvi town, Bērzkalne parish, Bērzpils parish, Briežuciems parish, Krišjāņi parish, Kubuli parish, Lazduleja parish, Tilža parish, Vectilža parish, Vīksna parish. Cibla Municipality Blonti parish, Cibla parish, Līdumnieki parish, Pušmucova parish, Zvirgzdene parish. Dagda Municipality Bērziņi parish, Ezernieki parish, Ķepova parish, Svariņi parish, Šķaune parish Kārsava Municipality Goliševa parish, Kārsava town, Malnava parish, Mērdzene parish, Mežvidi parish, Salnava parish. Ludza Municipality Briģi parish, Cirma parish, Isnauda parish, Istra parish, Ludza town, Nirza parish, Ņukši parish, Pilda parish, Pureņi parish, Rundēni parish. Rēzekne Municipality Bērzgale parish, Dricāni parish, Gaigalava parish, Ilzeskalns parish, Lendži parish, Nautrēni parish, Strūžāni parish. Rugāji Municipality Lazdukalns parish, Rugāji parish. Viļaka Municipality Kuprava parish, Medņeva parish, Susāji parish, Šķilbēni parish, Vecumi parish, Viļaka town, Žīguri parish. Zilupe Municipality Lauderi parish, Pasiene parish, Zaļesje Parish, Zilupe town. Russia Pskov Oblast*Krasnogorodsky District: Krasnogorodsk, Pogranichnaya Volost, Krasnogorodskaya Volost, Partizanskaya Volost. *Opochetsky District: Varyginskaya Volost, Makushinskaya Volost, Prigorodnaya Volost. *Ostrovsky District: Ostrov, Berezhanskaya Volost, Gorayskaya Volost. *Palkinsky District: Palkino, Kachanovskaya Volost, Rodonskaya Volost, Palkinskaya Volost, Novousitovskaya Volost, Vasilyevskaya Volost, Cherskaya Volost. *Pechorsky District: Pechory, Lavrovskaya Volost, Kruppskaya Volost, Novoizborskaya Volost, Izborskaya Volost, Panikovskaya Volost. *Pytalovsky District: Pytalovo, Gavrovskaya Volost, Linovskaya Volost, Nosovskaya Volost, Skalinskaya Volost, Vyshgorodskaya Volost, Tulinskaya Volost, Utroinskaya Volost. *Sebezhsky District: Sebezh, Sosnovy Bor, Sebezhskaya Volost, Mostischenskaya Volost. * — 15 days for holders of border traffic permitFrom 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. The territory covered by the agreement with Norway Norway Finnmark county: municipality of Sør-Varanger, within a zone of 30 km from the border + area of Neiden. Russia Pechengsky District: Korzunovo municipality, Zapolyarny municipality and the territory of Pechenga municipality and Nickel municipality within a zone of 30 km from the border. * — 30 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within a 180-day period for holders of border traffic permitFrom 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.The territory covered by the agreement with Poland Poland Pomeranian Voivodeship Towns: Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot. Gdańsk County, Malbork County, Nowy Dwór Gdański County, Puck County. Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship Towns: Elbląg, Olsztyn. Bartoszyce County, Braniewo County, Elbląg County, Giżycko County, Gołdap County, Kętrzyn County, Lidzbark County, Mrągowo County, Olecko County, Olsztyn County, Węgorzewo County. Russia Kaliningrad Oblast====Crew members====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.Citizens of following countries may visit Russia without a visa if they are travelling as part of the '''airline crew''':Afghanistan,Algeria,Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China,  Croatia,Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt,Ethiopia, Finland,France,Germany,Greece,Iceland,India,Iraq,Italy,Japan,Jordan,Latvia,Lebanon,Libya,Lithuania,Luxembourg,Malta,Netherlands,North Korea,North Macedonia,Norway,Oman,Poland,Portugal,Qatar,Romania,Singapore,Spain,Sri Lanka,Sweden,Switzerland,Turkmenistan,United Arab Emirates,United Kingdom,Vietnam.Agreement was signed with Italy and it yet to be ratified.Russian Government has instructed the Foreign Ministry to sign an agreement with Georgia, and Tunisia.Citizens of following countries may visit Russia without a visa if they are travelling as part of the '''sea crew''': Bulgaria,China,1Croatia,Cyprus,DR Congo,Egypt,France,Iran,Iraq,Lithuania,North Korea,Poland,Tunisia, Turkey Turkmenistan, Vietnam.Citizens of following countries may visit Russia without a visa if they are travelling as part of the '''railway crew''':China, North Korea,Turkmenistan. From 17 Jul 1999===Visa-free transit===;Direct airside transitPassengers 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). 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:* Irkutsk Airport (IKT)* Khabarovsk Airport (KHV)* Krasnodar Airport (KRR)* Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV)* Rostov Airport (ROV)* Sochi Airport (AER)* Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport (UUS)* Zhukovsky Airport (ZIA);Saimaa canalIn 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. ;Värska–Ulitina roadThe 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.===Diplomatic and service passports===Under reciprocal agreements, holders of diplomatic or various categories of service passports (official, service, special, consular) issued by the following countries and territories are allowed to enter and remain in Russia without a visa for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):* D S* D S* 5 D S* 3 D S O* D S* 5 D O* 2 D S O* D* D S* 5 D O Sp* 7 D O* 1 D S* 5 D O* D S* 2 D S O* D S* D S* D S* 8 D O* 5 O* D S* 5 D S* D S* D S* 2 D S* 7 D S Sp* D O* D S O* 2 D S* 5 O* 5 D S* 5 D O* 5 D S* D S* 4 D S O* D S Sp* D O* 5 D S O* 5 D O* D S* D Sp* D S* D S* D S* 5 D O* 2 D O C* D S* D O* D S* D O* 5 O* D S O* 8 D S* 7 D S* D S* 5 D S Sp* D S* 5 D O Sp* D S* 7 D S* D S* D S* 6 D* D S O* D S* 7 D S* D S* D S* 7 D S* D S O* 5 D O* 8 D O* D S O* D S O* 5 D O* D S* D S* D S Sp* D S* D S* 5 D* D S O Sp C* 2 D S O Sp* D S Sp* D S O* 5 D O Sp* 5 D O* 5 D O* 6 D O* D S* D S* 7 D O* 5 D O* D S O* D S O* D S O* 1 D S* 7 D S O* 5 D* 5 D S* D S Sp* D S* D S* 5 D S* 5 D S Sp* D S Sp* 7 D S* D S* 5 D O Sp* 2 D O* D S* D S* D S* D S* 5 D*'''' 9 D SD - Diplomatic passportsS - Service passportsO - Official passportsSp - Special passportsC - Consular passports1 - Unlimited2 - 3 months3 - 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 days7 - 30 days8 - 14 days9 - Only for employees of Zimbabwe official institutions in Russia.Currently, visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports of European Union member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have been suspended.Among citizens of countries whose citizens do not normally require a visa, holders of diplomatic or service passports of Israel require a visa.===APEC Business Travel Card===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, 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 may enter Russia without a visa for business trips for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.ABTCs are issued to citizens of:******************===Future changes===Russia is considering visa exemption agreements or visa policy improvements for the following countries:* – 90 days within 180 day-period for diplomatic and service passports* – 21 days for tourist groups from 3 to 50 persons* – 90 days for diplomatic and service passports* – 90 days within 180 day-period for diplomatic and service passports* – 90 days within 180 day-period for diplomatic and service passports* – 30 days for all passports* – 90 days within 180 day-period for diplomatic, service and special passports* – 90 days within 180 day-period for all passportsVisa exemption agreements have already been signed with the following countries but are not yet entered into force:* – 90 days within 180 day-period for diplomatic and service passports* – 90 days within 180 day-period for diplomatic and service passports* – 90 days within any 180-day period for diplomatic, service and official passports from 23 January 2024* – 30 days for all passports* – 90 days within any 180-day period for all passports.In addition, Russia is currently in talks with Gulf countries as well as other countries to establish visa exemption agreements. ************
Electronic visa (e-Visa) From 8 August 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia started to implement the e-Visa Program.Citizens of the 18 countries could apply an e-Visa to visit to regions in the Far Eastern Federal District.From 1 July 2019, citizens of the 54 countries could apply for single-entry business, humanitarian and tourist visas to visit the Kaliningrad region.From 8 June 2019, citizens of Taiwan were added to the list for Far East.From 1 October 2019, electronic visa have become valid for Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast.On 24 January 2020, the new list for the Far Eastern e-Visa was approved.Thus, the list of countries has become uniform for all regions where an electronic visa is applied.On 1 January 2021, unified e-Visa was introduced in Russia.On 6 October 2020, in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 2571/2020, the list of States was approved. These are all the countries whose citizens were allowed to enter Russia with an electronic visa as part of the pilot project. The e-Visa is a single entry visa, which is valid for a period of 60 days from the date of issue, and which allows a period of stay in the Russian Federation of up to 16 days from the date of entry.The 16-day e-Visa is issued for private or business visit, tourism, as well as for participating in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic, sporting events. The application can be submitted no earlier than 40 days and no later than 4 days before the expected date of entry. E-Visa applications will be processed within no more than 4 calendar days from the date of application. The consular fee is $40 (children under 6 years of age get a visa free of charge).E-Visa allows arrival and departure only through the following border crossing points:'''Airports (51)'''*Abakan*Anadyr*Arkhangelsk*Astrakhan*Barnaul*Belgorod*Bryansk*Vladivostok*Vladikavkaz (Beslan)*Volgograd*Grozny*Yekaterinburg*Irkutsk*Kazan*Kaliningrad*Kaluga*Kemerovo*Krasnodar*Krasnoyarsk*Lipetsk*Makhachkala*Mineralnye Vody*Moscow – Domodedovo*Moscow – Sheremetyevo*Moscow – Vnukovo*Moscow – Zhukovsky*Murmansk*Nalchik*Nizhny Novgorod*Novosibirsk*Omsk*Orenburg*Perm*Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky*Rostov-on-Don*Samara*Saint Petersburg*Saratov*Sochi (Adler)*Syktyvkar*Tomsk*Tyumen*Ulan-Ude*Ulyanovsk*Ufa*Khabarovsk*Cheboksary*Chelyabinsk*Chita*Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk*Yaroslavl'''Seaports (12)'''*Kaliningrad*Korsakov*Magadan*Nikolayevsk-on-Amur*Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky*Posyet*Saint Petersburg – Big Port (Marine Station)*Saint Petersburg – Passenger Port*Sochi*Vladivostok – Sea passenger terminal*Vladivostok – Zarubino*Vysotsk'''Railways (8)'''*Zabaykalsk Station – China side: Manzhouli Station*Mamonovo Station – Poland side: Braniewo Station*Makhalino Station (Kraskino) – China side: Hunchun Station*Naushki Station – Mongolia side: Sükhbaatar Station*Grodekovo Station (Pogranichny) – China side: Suifenhe Station*Saint-Petersburg (Finland Station)*Sovetsk Station – Lithuania side: Pagėgiai Station*Khasan Station – North Korea side: Tumangang Station'''Roads (24)'''*Poltavka – China side: Sanchakou*Starotsurukhaytuy – China side: Heishantou*Turiy Rog – China side: Dangbi*Ivangorod – Estonia side: Narva*Kunichina Gora – Estonia side: Koidula*Shumilkino – Estonia side: Luhamaa*Brusnichnoye – Finland side: Nuijamaa*Lyuttya – Finland side: Vartius*Svetogorsk – Finland side: Imatra*Torfyanovka – Finland side: Vaalimaa*Vyartsilya – Finland side: Niirala*Verkhniy Lars – Georgia side: Dariali*Burachki – Latvia side: Terehova*Ubylinka – Latvia side: Grebnova*Chernyshevskoye – Lithuania side: Kybartai*Morskoye – Lithuania side: Nida*Pogranichny – Lithuania side: Ramoniškių*Sovetsk – Lithuania side: Panemunė*Kyakhta – Mongolia side: Altanbulag*Solovyevsk – Mongolia side: Chuluunkhoroot*Bagrationovsk – Poland side: Bezledy*Gusev – Poland side: Gołdap*Mamonovo I – Poland side: Gronowo*Mamonovo II – Poland side: Grzechotki'''Mixed (3)'''*Amurzet*Blagoveshchensk – China side: Heihe (over Amur, during navigation – river crossing, during freezing – road crossing)*Pokrovka, Khabarovsk Krai'''River (1)'''*Khabarovsk'''Pedestrians (1)'''*Ivangorod – Estonia side: NarvaNationalities eligible for e-Visa are as follows:* All European Union member states*****************************Foreign citizens have the right to freedom of movement within the entire territory of Russia.
Closed cities Several closed cities in Russia require special authorization.
Areas requiring special permits In accordance with the Government Decree of 1992, 19 areas of the Russian Federation are closed to foreigners without special permits. This restriction does not apply to Russian citizens.A full list of such areas:* 1.Part of Kamchatka Krai. * 2. ''abolished''* 3.Part of Primorsky Krai. * 4.Part of Krasnoyarsk Krai. * 5.Part of Orenburg Oblast. * 6.Part of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. * 7.Part of The Republic of Mordovia. * 8.Parts of Murmansk Oblast and the Republic of Karelia. Transit to/from Norway is possible by main road. * 9.Parts of Arkhangelsk Oblast (include South part of Novaya Zemlya island) and the Komi Republic. * 10.Parts of Sverdlovsk Oblast. * 11.Parts of Chelyabinsk Oblast. * 12.In Leningrad Oblast – all Russian islands of Gulf of Finland, except Gogland, and  strip along south coast of the Gulf of Finland. * 13.Parts of Moscow Oblast. * 14.Part of Kaliningrad Oblast, approx. 15%. * 15.Part of Volgograd Oblast. * 16.Part of Astrakhan Oblast. * 17.Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, all except Bilibino region. * 18.Part of Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. * 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 is opened for foreigners from 2012.
Crimea As of 2014 the disputed territory of Crimea is under Russian control and Russia enforces its visa policy there. However, Ukraine requires that foreigners should comply with Ukrainian visa regime including obtaining a Ukrainian visa if one is necessary. Otherwise, Ukraine may impose sanctions for "support of the temporary occupation of the Ukrainian territory".
Agreements The Russian Federation has visa waiver agreements with 150 jurisdictions. In the table, red indicates agreements signed but not ratified or temporarily not applied, fully or partially suspended agreements are indicated in yellow. Valid bilateral and multilateral visa waiver agreements Country or territory Duration of stay by type of passport Date of signing Effective date Citation Diplomatic ServiceOfficialSpecialConsular Ordinary  90 days 2 Oct 2009 26 Apr 2011   90 days 7 Apr 1993 6 Aug 1993   90 days within any 180-day period 19 Feb 2018 6 Feb 2019   90 days within any 365-day period 5 Dec 2019 25 Nov 2020   90 days 26 Feb 1999 16 Jun 2006   90 days within any 180-day period 7 Jun 2019 22 Oct 2019   3 months 16 May 1994 29 Sep 1994  90 days within any 180-day period 11 Mar 2009 18 Mar 2009 29 Jun 2009   Unspecified  period 25 Sep 2000 25 Sep 2000 The agreement entered into force on 12 January 2018   Unspecified  period 3 Jul 1997 4 May 1998   90 days within any 180 day-period 16 Dec 2015 26 Jun 2016   30 days 22 Sep 2016 12 Feb 2017   Unspecified  period 30 Nov 2000 30 Nov 2000 The agreement entered into force on 7 June 2002   90 days within any 180-day period 23 Sep 2021 12 Jan 2022   90 days 21 Jun 2001 20 Aug 2001   3 month 11 Apr 1995 24 Apr 1997  90 days within any 180-day period 12 Apr 2016 3 Oct 2016   90 days 30 days within any 60-day period 31 May 2013 20 Oct 2013   90 days 10 Feb 2005 11 Apr 2005  30 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within any 180-day period 6 Jun 2019 8 Oct 2019   90 days 16 Apr 1991 16 May 1991  90 days within any 180-day period 26 Nov 2008 7 Jun 2010   14 days 7 Oct 2009 12 Oct 2009 11 Nov 2009  14 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within any 180-day period 8 Nov 2017 8 Jan 2018    90 days within any 180-day period 5 Mar 2002 7 May 2002   90 days 2 Mar 2000 2 Mar 2000   90 days within any 180-day period 6 Feb 2018 30 Jun 2018   90 days 14 Jul 1995 12 Sep 1995  60 days 30 Apr 2019 4 Jul 2020   90 days 17 Mar 1988 28 May 1988        3 months 14 Feb 1995 1 Oct 1996  3 months 4 Oct 2002 12 Feb 2004  90 days within any 180-day period 24 Sep 2010 18 Jan 2011   30 days 22 Mar 2013 26 Apr 2014  15 days for tourist groups 29 Feb 2000 9 Nov 2000   90 days 26 Nov 1997 28 Mar 1998  90 days within any 180-day period 24 Sep 2010 13 Mar 2011        90 days 18 Dec 2014 1 Jan 2016   3 month 16 Oct 1997 1 May 1998  90 days within any 180-day period3 May 2018  28 May 2018 25 May 2019    90 days within any 180-day period 2 Mar 2010 31 Mar 2013   90 days within any 180 day period 22 May 2018 21 Dec 2018    8 Jun 2005 20 Jan 2006      27 May 2008 1 Oct 2009   90 days within any 180-day period  6 Feb 2022 1 May 2022   90 days within any 180-day period 28 Sep 2018 14 Jan 2019   90 days 9 Sep 2009 9 Apr 2010  60 days within any 180-day period 26 Nov 2018 15 Dec 2020   90 days within any year period 18 Feb 1999 15 May 1999  90 days within any 180-day period 24 Sep 2010 24 Nov 2012   90 days 17 Jul 2003 17 Jul 2003   90 days 25 Jan 1999 29 Jan 1999 30 Mar 1999  90 days within any 180-day period 26 Mar 2015 27 Aug 2016   90 days within any 180-day period  24 Jan 2023 12 Jun 2023   90 days within any 180-day period  7 Apr 2017 8 Nov 2019   90 days 11 Dec 2002 11 Jan 2003   European Union countries (excluding Denmark and Ireland)     25 May 2006 1 Jun 2007; for Croatia from  1 Jul 2013   90 days 28 Jun 2013 29 Jul 2013   90 days 5 Apr 2011 25 Sep 2011   90 days 4 May 2017 15 Aug 2018   90 days within any 180-day period 20 Sep 2017 24 Dec 2017   3 months 24 May 1999 24 Jul 1999  90 days within any 180-day period 22 Sep 2011 29 Feb 2012   90 days 7 Jan 1998 8 Mar 1998   90 days  23 Oct 2019 9 Feb 2022   90 days 3 Nov 2005 12 Feb 2006  90 days 7 Jun 2017  24 Jul 2017 17 Nov 2017 90 days within any 180-day period 27 Sep 2015 27 Nov 2015   90 days 21 Sep 1999 20 Nov 1999  90 days within any 180-day period 26 Sep 2014 11 Jul 2015   14 days 23 Apr 2009 1 Jul 2009    90 days within any 180-day period 14 Jun 2001 14 Jun 2001      24 Sep 2008 1 Mar 2010   90 days 3 Dec 2004 28 Mar 2006   14 days 1 Dec 2006 22 Mar 2008   30 days 29 Mar 1993 29 Apr 1993  15 days for tourist groups 28 Mar 2017 1 Jul 2021  90 days within any 180-day period  2 Apr 2023 23 Jan 2024   90 days within any 180-day period 20 Mar 2008 20 Sep 2008   90 days 23 Jun 2000 1 Sep 2000  90 days within any year period 27 Sep 2018 27 Nov 2018   90 days within any 180-day period 11 Sep 2017 25 Jan 2018   Unspecified  period 30 Nov 2000 30 Nov 2000   90 days within any 180-day period 10 Nov 2015 10 Apr 2016   Unspecified  period 30 Nov 2000 30 Nov 2000   30 days 29 Nov 2004 30 Dec 2004  30 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within any 180-day period 8 Sep 2016 2 Dec 2017      12 Nov 2013 1 Apr 2015   30 days 19 Jun 2012 30 Sep 2012   90 days 25 Jun 2019 25 Jul 2019   90 days 27 May 2009 27 May 2009   60 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within any 180-day period 23 Dec 2015 10 Apr 2016   90 days 28 Jan 1997 5 Jul 1997       Unspecified period 30 Nov 2000 30 Nov 2000   30 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within any 180-day period 3 Sep 2014 14 Nov 2014   90 days 30 days 24 Sep 2008 21 Nov 2008   90 days 15 Oct 2002 15 Oct 2002   30 days 30 Dec 2009 30 May 2010   90 days 3 Jul 2000 3 Aug 2000  90 days within any 180-day period 14 Apr 2021 2 Aug 2021   14 days 24 Sep 2014 14 May 2015   90 days 16 Apr 2002 16 May 2002  90 days 27 Apr 202213 Jun 2022 15 Aug 2022   90 days 28 Nov 1997 13 Jan 1998  90 days within any 180-day period 28 Jul 2009 3 Jul 2010   90 days within any 180-day period  15 Feb 2022 22 Feb 2023   90 days 24 Jan 1997 23 May 1997   90 days 30 days 19 Jun 2008 31 Oct 2008      8 Jun 2007 1 Dec 2008   90 days 3 Feb 2016 27 Oct 2016   90 days 4 Jul 1994 3 Aug 1994   30 days 28 Sep 2018 27 Dec 2018   90 days within any 180-day period   23 Jan 2020 21 May 2020   90 days 16 Jun 1995 22 Jun 1995 20 Aug 1995  90 days within any 180-day period 3 Dec 2014 9 Dec 2014 8 Feb 2015   3 months 20 Nov 1995 2 Feb 1997  90 days within any 180-day period 25 Sep 2013 20 Oct 2014   90 days 14 Jul 1999 26 Nov 1999  90 days within any 180-day period 13 Nov 2010 21 Jun 2011   90 days 3 Aug 2007 22 Dec 2008      18 Sep 2003 1 Oct 2003   90 days within any 180-day period 27 Dec 2019 23 Feb 2020    26 Aug 2002 1 Mar 2004   90 days within any 180-day period 21 Sep 2017 21 Nov 2017   90 days within any 180-day period 27 Sep 2018 7 Jan 2019   60 days 4 Apr 2017 9 July 2017       90 days 2 Jul 2015 6 Feb 2017   90 days 30 days 20 Feb 2009 10 Jun 2009   30 days 2 Sep 2015 14 Dec 2015  90 days within any 180-day period  17 May 2021 14 Mar 2022   90 days 17 Nov 2015 2 Jan 2016    29 Dec 2000 29 Dec 2000   90 days 5 Aug 2010 15 Dec 2010  90 days 24 Jan 2017 27 Feb 2017 30 Mar 2017   90 days 21 Sep 2004 21 Nov 2004  90 days 17 Oct 2006 31 Dec 2006  60 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within any 180-day period 13 Nov 2013 1 Jan 2014   Unspecified  period 1 Feb 2010 25 Apr 2011   30 days 13 Aug 2015 24 Oct 2015   90 days within any 180-day period   24 Nov 2017 4 Sep 2022   90 days within any 180 day-period 26 Sep 2018 13 May 2019   90 days 19 Mar 2008 2 Jul 2008      21 Sep 2009 1 Feb 2011   Unspecified  period 30 Nov 2000 30 Nov 2000   90 days 17 Oct 2002 6 Mar 2003  30 days 13 Dec 2005 24 Mar 2007  90 days within any 180-day period  16 Feb 2021 19 Aug 2021   90 days within any 180-day period 28 Jun 2012 13 Feb 2013   90 days 5 Nov 1999 6 Jan 2000  30 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within any 180-day period  12 May 2010 16 Apr 2011   30 days 17 Jul 1999 17 Jul 1999   90 days within any 180-day period 6 Jul 2018 17 Feb 2019   3 months 13 Jul 1999 3 Oct 1999  90 days within any 180-day period 26 Sep 2011 27 Dec 2011   Unspecified period 30 Nov 2000 30 Nov 2000 The agreement entered into force on 24 November 2009   90 days 20 Sep 2016 21 Oct 2016   90 days within any 180-day period 22 Aug 2017 29 Dec 2017   90 days 28 Jun 1993  1 Nov 1993 1 Nov 1993  90 days within any 180-day period 26 Nov 2008 6 Mar 2009   90 days 28 Oct 1993 20 Feb 1994   90 days within any 180-day period   23 Oct 2019 1 Jul 2020   90 days 23 Jan 1991 31 Jan 1991 31 Jan 1991  Notes:# Agreement include the item "Total period of permitted stay in the territory of the state for a certain period of time is set in accordance with the laws of the state." From 2014, it is 90 days within any 180-day period.# Agreement concluded through an exchange of diplomatic notes.# Agreement between Russia and EU. Article 14 " ...the provisions  shall prevail over the provisions of any bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements between the Russian Federation and the Member States..."# Only for group tourism (from 5 to 50 persons) organized by accredited travel agencies in both countries. Unilateral visa waiver concessions Country Type of passport Duration of stay Date of signing/  Effective date Citation  Alien's passport 90 days within any 180-day period 17 Jun 2008   Diplomatic, Service, Ordinary 90 days 15 May 2023   Non-citizen passport 90 days within any 180-day period 17 Jun 2008   Diplomatic passport 90 days within any 180-day period 3 Sep 2017   Diplomatic, Service, Ordinary Unspecified  period 29 Sep 2023 Russia has concluded agreements that facilitate procedures for issuing visas to both Russian citizens and citizens of the partner jurisdiction on a reciprocal basis. Such agreements are in force with the following countries or political associations: Visa facilitation agreements Country  Entry into force   1993   2002   2014   2013, 2019   2006   2009   2011 (excluding Denmark and Ireland)  2007   2005   2004   2010   2011, 2015, 2016   1990   1997, 2016, 2019   2002 and 2016 (for holders of dip/ser passports)   1990, 2005   2013, 2017   1995, 2013, 2018   2015   2003   2012, 2017   2003, 2012   2004   2020   1996   1992, 2002, 2010   1990, 2015   2011   1999   1989   2012, 2013   1994, 2005   1988Russia has agreements on cancellation of consular fees with the following countries: Algeria (1965), Angola (15 Apr 1985), Iran (15 Feb 1966), Japan (1 Apr 1965), Mauritania (1967), New Zealand (1 Apr 1962).Agreements were denounced with Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, and Pakistan Canceled agreements Country or territory Duration of stay by type of passport Date of signing Effective date Cancellation date Citation Diplomatic Service category Ordinary  90 days 90 days with an invitation 30 days with a voucher 24 Sep 2007 1 May 2008 20 Oct 2013   During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For a private trips with an invitation Transit without a visa 2 Nov 1978 6 Jul 1979 1 Oct 2001  During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For a private trip with an invitation up to 90 days 3 Nov 1969 24 Jan 1970 6 Jul 1979  About private trips 20 May 1965 1 Jun 1965 24 Jan 1970   CIS countries  (excluding Azerbaijan and Ukraine) Unspecified  period 9 Oct 1992 9 Oct 1992; for 23px Georgia 1 Aug 1995 3 Dec 2000; for 23px Turkmenistan 19 Jun 1999   30 days 29 Feb 2000 25 May 2001 26 Apr 2014  Yes  Including passport for public affairs 29 Dec 1993 29 Jan 1994 25 May 2001  Yes (on duty)  Including passport for public affairs 15 Jul 1988 14 Aug 1988 29 Jan 1994 Yes 13 Jun 1985 13 Jul 1985 14 Aug 1988 30 days 3 Dec 1993 29 Jul 1994 21 Dec 2018  During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For a private trip with an invitation 10 Jan 1985 29 Jul 1994  For tourism trips 7 Jul 1981  24 Sep 1981 24 Sep 1981 1985  3 months 5 Jun 1989 5 Jun 1989 20 Jan 2006  During a term of official trips 90 days 27 Dec 1994 15 Jun 1995 1 Jan 2004   During a term of official trips 30 days for all passports 7 Dec 1994 3 Sep 1995 29 May 2000   During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation Transit without a visa 17 Dec 1981 30 May 1982 for   3 Sep 1995;  for  7 Aug 1994  During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation up to 90 days Transit without a visa 16 Sep 1969 16 Sep 1969 30 May 1982  90 days with an invitation 17 Sep 1965 17 Sep 1965 15 Sep 1969  18 Dec 1962 17 Sep 1965  During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation Transit without a visa 6 Apr 1979 30 Aug 1979 ''3 Oct 1990''  During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation up to 90 days Transit without a visa 28 Nov 1969 12 Jan 1970 30 Aug 1979   During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For a private trips with an invitation Transit without a visa 24 Nov 1978 14 Jun 2001  During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation up to 90 days 4 Mar 1969 11 Jun 1969   During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation 22 Jan 1986 17 Sep 1986 23 May 1997   Yes 20 Dec 1984 30 Dec 2004   30 days for Kaliningrad region 24 Feb 1995 25 Jun 1995 1 Jan 2003   During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation 20 December 1979 5 May 1995  During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation up to 90 days 26 Jan 1971 23 May 1971   During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation Transit without a visa 13 Dec 1979 22 May 1980 1 Oct 2003  During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation up to 90 days 5 Feb 1970 12 May 1970 22 May 1980   90 days 18 Jan 2016 14 Aug 2016 23 Feb 2020   Yes 11 Mar 1991 24 Oct 1991 1 Mar 2004  During an office mission For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation up to 45 days 9 Sep 1983 11 Apr 1984 24 Oct 1991  During an office mission For tourism trips with tourist documents For private trips with an invitation up to 45 days 30 Jun 1969 1 Jan 1970 11 Apr 1984  Without visas on office affairs For a private trips with an invitation up to 45 days within year Transit on private affairs without visa 4 Mar 1966 23 Jun 1966 1 Jan 1970  About trips for a visit to close relatives 1963 23 Jun 1966 no text About visa-free trips of citizens on diplomatic, service, all-civil passports and collective certificates 1956 23 Jun 1966 no text  30 days for all passports During a term of official trips 13 Feb 1995 25 Aug 1995 1 Jan 2001  1 Jun 1994 7 Aug 1994 25 Aug 1995   Unspecified  period 16 Jan 1997 10 Mar 1997 1 Jan 2023   90 days 27 Jun 2010 31 Mar 2013 17 Feb 2019   During a term of official trips For tourism trips with tourist documents Visa free transit for tourism and official purposes 15 Jul 1981 14 Aug 1982 20 Feb 1994 no text  During a term of official trips For tourism trips with a voucher For private trips with an invitation up to 90 days 31 Oct 1989 26 Apr 1990 for  31 Mar 2013; for  1 May 2008; for  21 Nov 2008; for  31 Oct 2008; for  1 Dec 1999; for  10 Jun 2009  For tourism trips with a voucher 3 June 1967  27 Nov 1967 27 Dec 1967 26 Apr 1990 Yes Yes On duty 26 Oct 1965 25 Jan 1966
Visa The Russian visa is a machine-readable document, which is placed in the holder's passport. All fields are indicated in both Russian and English, but are filled out only in Russian.The holder's name appears in both the Roman and Cyrillic alphabets.The name that appears in the machine-readable zone at the bottom of the visa represents the holder's Cyrillic name mapped into the Roman alphabet. This allows Russian computer systems to read the Cyrillic name, despite the machine readers only being able to read Roman alphabet letters. As a result, the spelling of a name in the machine-readable zone does not necessarily reflect its spelling in the visa's name field. For example, the name "Christoph" would appear in the field as "Kpиcтoф/Christoph", but the MRZ would contain the name "Kristof".Contrary to guidelines for machine-readable documents, the issuing country's ISO code (RUS) is not shown at positions 3–5 (i.e. V<RUS). Instead, the first line is formatted as: VSURNAME<<GIVEN<NAMES.While not necessarily printed on the visa (depending on the embassy), a photo is required in the visa application. The visa application form may be filled online and submitted to the diplomatic mission.===Types of visa===Russian transit visa with entry and exit stamps in a Swedish passportSheremetyevo AirportDepending 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);Diplomatic visaA 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 visaA 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 1 year. ;Ordinary visaDepending 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:#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.#An ordinary '''business visa''' is issued for a period of up to one year to foreign citizens traveling to Russia for a business trip.#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.#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.#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.#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.#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.#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.#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 visaA 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 personA 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.===Applying for visa===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.Russian Tourist Visa requirements:* Original passport* One photo (colour, passport size photo)* Tourist invitation* Russian Consulate Application FormThe 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.===Exit===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.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''.===Costs for 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.===Fingerprinting===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.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.
Statistics ;Visitor statisticsAccording to the Border Service of the Federal Security Service and the Federal State Statistics Service, most visitors arriving to Russia were from the following countries of nationality: Total visitors by year 2019  32,866,265 2018   32,550,677 2017   32,035,443 2016   31,466,538 2015   33,729,187 2014   32,421,490 2013   30,792,091 2012   28,176,502 2011   24,932,061 2010   22,281,217 2009   21,338,650 2008   23,676,140 2007  22,908,625 Nationality Total (includes all types of purposes of visits) 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016     3,648,972    8,646,295    9,177,272    9,817,008    9,737,405     1,426,727    4,324,856    4,241,244    4,137,613    4,686,059     720,041    2,588,922    2,354,642    2,350,007    2,116,480     414,927    600,399    492,310    436,368    415,606     401,888    1,557,148    1,340,975    1,350,356    1,293,270     299,611    959,130    859,735    836,946    792,042     269,807    1,175,045    1,145,327    1,143,243    1,156,703     209,812    816,454    825,200    857,212    833,577     180,110    938,693    994,098    1,063,348    1,376,646     176,601   440,438    403,597    382,022    320,372     155,594    2,257,039    2,030,319    1,780,200    1,565,524     154,766    614,043    698,027    803,916    699,112     133,414    193,031    179,672    172,278    160,734     133,014    680,382    728,546    765,544    1,056,013     132,372    187,612    196,061    181,285    120,035     105,584    540,062    496,582    432,803    433,926     93,865    365,783    355,641    330,266    360,603 Stateless persons    74,215    303,851    327,613    318,393    321,383     70,470    147,355    143,501    137,427    115,382     69,456    744,473    701,576    629,082    613,370     57,883    253,950    243,190    256,009    281,168     56,625    394,994    401,485    416,293    542,196     56,266    120,086    123,732    117,204    65,378     46,025    180,567    159,865    130,400    108,498     42,297    453,796    386,413    276,560    181,024     38,391    249,410    236,583    211,673    201,260     32,402    260,472    228,530    185,426    182,438     28,432    251,751    225,776    206,860    208,689     26,731    84,852    96,730    87,899    79,575     22,471    194,956    216,029    193,522    190,278     21,680    92,616    82,675    65,749    56,258     19,477    90,565    84,612    77,391    66,939     19,306    300,933    337,395    293,011    248,990     16,048    127,696    119,240    114,207    95,675     14,663    84,651    80,540    73,729    68,017     13,481    28,039    39,402       12,725    54,469    61,007    91,862    75,203     12,183    72,031    64,898    52,697    32,222     11,732    44,784    42,967    41,205    46,730     10,255    41,083    40,836    39,191    41,290     9,977   67,429    64,500    59,501    56,663     9,874    57,835     53,739    49,232    47,288     9,671    40,284    31,695    25,425    20,211     9,565    140,181    123,652    118,642    116,032     9,335    32,779    29,920    26,330    23,684     8,506    52,022    51,003    53,197    46,631     8,308    43,198   55,329    32,095    39,153     7,534    42,473    48,270    38,868    37,492     7,480   19,243    36,045       7,407    55,747    59,828    53,167    52,656     6,631    29,169    27,882    30,711    26,667     5,680    35,541    32,998    25,659    25,313     5,016  24,662    31,308   '''Total'''    n/a    32,866,265   32,550,677   32,035,443    31,466,538 Nationality Total (includes all types of purposes of visits) 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010     10,314,757    9,842,990    7,080,991    6,502,543    6,072,775  4,198,030     5,180,246    4,215,161    3,848,899    3,630,342    3,049,406  2,747,358     2,163,256    2,353,140    2,967444    2,677,322    2,086,359  1,584,086     1,766,612    1,823,143    1,644,657    1,190,003    704,610  394,872     1,476,412    1,446,169    1,388,036    1,375,614    1,211,520  1,012,621     1,353,051    1,125,098    1,071,515    978,988    845,588  747,640     1,200,972    1,202,260    1,348,868    1,134,150    955,455  830,160     1,071,324    1,021,204    1,196,759    1,116,238    1,045,525  979,778     850,137    794,098    882,864    700,332    550,349  459,040     842,396    725,664    763,418    623,970    592,960  552,909     770,965    923,625    1,374,690    1,194,291    1,073,637  988,084     595,200    635,153    686,557    671,676    629,391  611,367     505,429    225,972    226,673    365,236    212,117  157,367     424,531    495,999    418,207    372,942    267,233  259,191     422,130    362,811    293,429    273,964    202,440  52,289     382,031    363,942    430,164    494,282    519,402  474,949      348,338    374,701    391,304    461,162    571,374  569,300 Stateless persons    326,841   349,400    463,640    523,333    618,705  679,757     323,039    361,416    385,147    305,429    249,109  196,704     270,600    487,206    539,308    553,896    622,740  760,728     242,104    257,070    305,954    286,551    275,239  262,060     204,710    219,976    225,933    212,411    207,476  198,002     191,643    219,210    225,860    225,343    213,473  194,248    190,775    228,346    259,676    231,670    221,418  212,847     165,003    152,853    136,827    123,974    114,380  100,291     163,010    162,990    149,213    130,541    99,405  81,385     153,189    135,676    107,942    94,922    91,335  90,622     125,444    117,283    94,159    73,863    47,739  33,409     110,247    100,206    109,089    101,536    129,730  110,601     95,527    94,259    95,542    80,127    60,191  53,364     93,550    105,220    102,408    86,806    76,204  78,188     79,406    87,048    107,601    70,371    57,177  47,939     69,095    58,264    48,440    35,511    30,415  24,568     63,469    80,543    86,402    81,212    87,549  80,720     60,882    75,840    81,073    62,961    53,529  50,823     57,242    67,392    74,277    71,863    70,388  67,606     51,170    47,002    40,238    43,720    39,579  35,017     49,535    57,423    54,433    50,115    48,614  45,340 . 46,760    29,743    20,657    23,085    21,575  20,576     46,432    68,875    76,530    62,980    46,776  40,565     46,200    50,838    54,898    52,852    47,978  44,964     43,663    53,370    61,234    54,730    52,238  48,559     41,210    46,450    48,280    36,474    33,569  33,396     40,424    49,908    53,340    58,900    60,840  54,253     39,613    46,072    46,861    43,105    34,868  30,583     37,035    42,230    47,154    45,312    42,031  38,446     35,531    33,301    37,386    33,647    29,840  21,950     33,714    37,441    40,316    37,025    36,430  33,571     29,482    25,585    23,919    19,375    17,023  15,192     25,970    28,391    30,886    24,792    21,993  17,884     24,849    28,421    27,155    23,047    23,241  20,736     22,922    18,223    21,527    16,431    16,759  13,767     20,893    23,902    23,604    22,071    18,901  21,167      19,876    24,962    27,554    24,161    20,445  18,512     18,100    20,330    21,088    18,572    18,313  14,448     17,322    13,614    15,944    13,976    12,316  9,044     15,475    15,181    14,952    15,398    15,814  18,434     12,349    11,609    9,625    5,293    4,099  4,053 '''Total'''    33,729,187    32,421,490    30,792,091    28,176,502    24,932,016    22,281,217;Visa statisticsMost visas were issued in the following countries: Location  Number of visas issued in  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016  2015   58,953  410,780  360,582  336,423  324,959  299,791   41,280  453,338  406,831  371,489  339,030  357,040   34,162  83,169  81,177  79,898  45,209  33,698   27,059  172,870  146,491  145,576  131,229  119,314   20,770  92,573  88,290  96,246  93,169  87,863   18,272  162,529  139,797  129,124  129,038  117,123   16,736  106,250  98,936  95,630  94,682  85,974   14,271  110,480  105,157  108,792  116,462  112,655   11,295  78,727  79,082  74,382  77,574  70,328   10,535  67,666  62,840  59,187  54,885  43,038 Total  452 161  3,090,538  2,758,893  2,687,146  2,505,457  2,283,850
History ===General Rules===Visa policy of the Russian FederationThe law "On the legal status of foreign citizens in the USSR" was used by the Russian Federation. Action extended from 1 January 1993.Chapter III of the law "entry into the USSR and exit from the USSR Foreign citizens" was replaced adopted the Federal Law No.114-FZ 1996 "On the Order of Exit from the Russian Federation". The law was repealed with the adoption of the Federal Law 115-FZ on 25 Jul 2002 On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation. The laws establishes that as a general rule all foreign citizens and stateless persons need visas for entry and exit from the territory of Russia and the period of temporary stay (90 days within any 180 days). It also establishes a number of exceptions addressing certain groups of travelers. The basis of the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons are secured primarily by the Constitution of the Russian Federation 1993 – Art. 62 and Art. 63.According to the Russian Constitution, international treaties of Russia override the domestic legislation. Russia has concluded a number of bilateral or multilateral treaties on visa abolishing or simplification and is seeking to negotiate new such treaties. The visa policy Russia applies the principle of reciprocity, the principle of specular.====Visa-free 72-hour transit====In September, 2013 the president of Russia has sent the bill of introduction of 72-hour visa-free transit to parliament. The list of the airports and the list of the states which citizens will be able to use visa-free transit in the tourist purposes, will be approved by the Government of the Russian Federation after ratification. In 2014 the parliament has suspended ratification of the bill for an indefinite term.====Occupied territories of Ukraine====;CrimeaIn April 2014 Crimea's Tourism Minister proposed a visa-free regime for foreign tourists staying at Crimean resorts for up to 12 days and a 72-hour visa-free stay for cruise passengers. Visa-free access for Chinese citizens was proposed in June 2014.Visa-free entrance in cruise courts to Sevastopol began to be carried out from September 2015 Other of the proposals has been not realized. ;Donetsk and LuhanskOn 18 February 2017, the President of Russia signed the decree "About Recognition of the Documents Issued to the Citizens of Ukraine and Persons Without Citizenship Living in Territories of Certain Districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk Regions of Ukraine". Holders of passports of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic could carry out entry into the Russian Federation and departure from the Russian Federation without execution of visas. The decree is applied temporarily, for the period before political settlement of a situation in certain districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine on the basis of the Minsk Agreement.From 29 December 2018, citizens of Ukraine who are residents of the territories of "certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions" of Ukraine are allowed to enter Russia visa-free for a maximum stay of 180 days.====International events====;Art eventsParticipants and members of delegations coming to participate in the musical events are either provided with a simplified visa regime (e.g. Eurovision Song Contest 2009) or the right of visa-free entry (e.g. International Tchaikovsky Competition 2015).Currently (September 2015) the law providing permanent visa abolition for participants and jury members of art competitions is being planned by the Government of Russia. The focus of this regulation will be on the International Tchaikovsky Competition. ;Economic eventsParticipants of the 1st Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok did not require a visa. Entrance was allowed with passport and the accreditation certificate only.Participants of East Economic Forum in Vladivostok can visit an event without visas from 8 to 15 September 2018.;Sporting eventsPrior to the adoption of a special law, participants and members of delegations arriving to sporting events, could count on a visa-free entry or visa facilitation (determined by law for each event which has to pass ratification in parliament and to be signed by the president). For the 2008 Champions League Final held in Moscow, also spectators were given such visa-free entry.On 13 May 2013 the presidential decree on the abolition of visas for athletes, coaches, team leaders and members of foreign official delegations, as well as judges from the international sports competitions came into effect.It envisages entry on the basis of passport and accreditation certificate.The order of the President or the Government of Russia is sufficient for visa abolition or simplification of registration of visas. Visas were abolished for participants of the 2013 Summer Universiade, the 2014 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Moscow, the 2014 World Judo Championships in Chelyabinsk and the 16th FINA World Championships in Kazan.Participants of the XVI World Aquatics Championships in the Masters category were exempted from visa fees.The right to enter Russia without a visa was also given to visitors during the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi if they were in a possession of tickets for the event. Players of 2016 IIHF World Championship were able to obtain visas on arrival, for the fans were simplified procedure for issuing visas.2017 FIFA Confederations Cup holders of tickets for matches of the championship could enter Russia without a visa with personalized card of viewer (also known as the passport of a fan or fan-ID) and national passport from 7 June to 12 July 2017, if holding a laminated FIFA FAN ID card; from 14 June to 2 July 2017, if holding a printed FIFA FAN ID electronic format card. The foreign citizens could use their FAN IDs for multiple visa-free entry into and exit from the Russian Federation. '''2018 FIFA World Cup''' holders of tickets for matches of the championship were able to enter Russia without a visa with personalized card of viewer (also known as the passport of a fan or fan-ID) and national passport from 4 June to 25 July 2018.Foreigners participating in events and athletes included in the lists of FIFA, will have to obtain visas, but in a simplified manner. In particular, visas for this category of citizens will be issued within 3 working days from the date of filing and without consular fees. This procedure will be applied until 31 December 2018.Foreigners involved in activities and not participating in sporting events, will travel to and from Russia by an ordinary multiple-entry work visas that will be issued for a period of 1 year. Foreigners, attracted by the FIFA, its subsidiaries and contractors, confederations, national football associations, the Russian football Union, organizing Committee "Russia-2018" will be entitled to work in Russia without obtaining a patent.====Travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic====Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia has imposed the following temporary travel restrictions:On 28 June 2021, Russia resumed flights with Belgium, Bulgaria, Jordan, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, North Macedonia, USA, Turkey, Austria, Armenia, Greece, Qatar, Serbia, Finland, Croatia, and Switzerland.On 27 January 2021, Russia resumed flights with Finland, Vietnam, India and Qatar.From 15 August 2020, restrictions are lifted for citizens of Switzerland.From 1 August 2020, restrictions on entry to Russia were lifted for citizens of Abkhazia, Tanzania, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The issuance of entry visas and invitations has also been resumed.The issuance of Russian electronic visas for the Far East District, Kaliningrad Oblast, and St Petersburg and Leningrad has been suspended since 18 March 2020 and has not been resumed yet.For foreign citizens who are in Russia on the basis of a visa or visa-free regime, the duration of temporary stay is suspended From 15 March to 15 June 2020.From 18 March until a special order of the government, all foreign citizens (except citizens of CIS member nations, Abkhazia, South Ossetia from 20 March 2020) are not allowed to enter the Russian Federation. This does not apply to some category of travels.From 13 March 2020, temporarily suspended the entry of citizens of Italy travelling for educational, work, private, tourist and transit purposesFrom 28 February 2020, temporarily suspended the entry of citizens of Iran travelling for educational, work, private, tourist and transit purposes.From 20 February 2020, temporarily suspended the entry of  citizens of China, Hong Kong, Macao, travelling for work, private, educational and tourist purposes.
See also * Visa requirements for Russian citizens* List of diplomatic missions of Russia* Foreign relations of Russia* Visa history of Russia
Notes
References
External links *  The conditions of entry of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation of diplomatic, service (official, special), regular passport. (in Russian) May 2017 *  Electronic visa / Consular department of MFA of Russia*  FAN ID *  Federal Law No.114-FZ On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation (in English) (without additions) *  Federal Law No.114-FZ On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation (in Russian) (with additions) *  Timatic. Visa & Passport Information