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 a visa online (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.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia has imposed the following temporary travel restrictions:
From 15 August 2020, restrictions are lifted for citizens of Switzerland.[1]
From 1 August 2020, restrictions on entry to Russia were lifted for citizens of Abkhazia,[2] Tanzania, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. The issuance of entry visas and invitations has also been resumed.[3]
The issuance of Russian electronic visas for the Far East District, Kaliningrad Oblast, and St Petersburg and Leningrad has been suspended since 18th March 2020 and has not been resumed yet.[4]
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.[5]
From 18 March until a special order of the government,[6] all foreign citizens (except citizens of CIS member nations, Abkhazia, South Ossetia from 20 March 2020[7][8][9]) are not allowed to enter the Russian Federation.[10][11][12] This does not apply to some category of travels.[13]
from 16 March 2020, air traffic between Russia and European Union countries, Norway and Switzerland has been limited: all flights between Russia and the countries has been suspended, except flights on the following lines: Moscow-Oslo, Moscow-Geneva, and Moscow - the capitals of the EU countries. All flights are operated only from Terminal F of Sheremetyevo airport.[14]
From 13 March 2020, temporarily suspended the entry of citizens of Italy travelling for educational, work, private, tourist and transit purposes
the issuance of regional electronic visas to the Italian citizens has been suspended
the issuance of educational, work, private invitations to Italian citizens has been suspended
the issuance of educational, work, private, tourist and transit visas to Italian citizens and foreighn citizens, stateless person who are on the territory of Italy has been suspended
Russia temporarily suspended the entry of Italian citizens travelling for educational, work, private, tourist and transit purposes
entry of foreign citizens from the territory of Italy has been canceled. The restriction does not apply to citizens of the member States of the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as aircraft crews, members of official delegations and persons who have a residence permit in the Russian Federation
air traffic between Russia and South Korea has been limited for Russian air companies. Aeroflot and Aurora continue to operate flights. All flights in Moscow are operated only from Terminal F of Sheremetyevo airport.[16]
entry of foreign citizens from the territory of South Korea through air checkpoints (except Sheremetyevo airport) has been canceled. The restriction does not apply to citizens of the member States of the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as aircraft crews, members of official delegations and persons who have a residence permit in the Russian Federation[17]
From 28 February 2020, temporarily suspended the entry of citizens of Iran travelling for educational, work, private, tourist and transit purposes
air traffic between Russia and Iran has been limited. Aeroflot and Mahan Air continue to operate flights from Moscow. All flights are operated only from Terminal F of Sheremetyevo airport.[20][21]
entry of foreign citizens from the territory of Iran through air checkpoints (except Sheremetyevo airport) has been canceled. The restriction does not apply to citizens of the member States of the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as aircraft crews, members of official delegations and persons who have a residence permit in the Russian Federation
the issuance of regional electronic visas to the Iranian citizens has been suspended
the issuance of educational, work, private invitations to Iranian citizens has been suspended
the issuance of educational, work, private, tourist and transit visas to Iranian citizens and foreighn citizens, stateless person who are on the territory of Iran has been suspended
Russia temporarily suspended the entry of Iranian citizens travelling for educational, work, private, tourist and transit purposes[22]
from 7 March 2020, entry of foreign citizens from the territory of Iran has been canceled. The restriction does not apply to citizens of the member States of the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as aircraft crews, members of official delegations and persons who have a residence permit in the Russian Federation[23]
From 20 February 2020, temporarily suspended the entry of citizens of China, Hong Kong, Macao, travelling for work, private, educational and tourist purposes
from 30 January 2020, the issuance of regional electronic visas to the Chinese nationals has been suspended[24]
from 31 January 2020, certain sections of Russia's border with China in the far East are closed. Traffic is restricted through 16 checkpoints, including roads and railways.[note 1]
from 31 January 2020, rail service between China and Russia, except for the Moscow - Beijing and Beijing - Moscow trains, has been suspended[27]
from 31 January 2020, the issuance of work visas to Chinese citizens has been suspended.[28]
from 1 February 2020, crossing through 4 checkpoints on certain sections of the Russian-Mongolian border has been restricted for Chinese citizens[note 2]
from 1 February 2020, air traffic between Russia and China has been limited. Regional scheduled flights between the countries are closed; Aeroflot, Air China, Hainan Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines continue to operate flights from Moscow. All flights are operated only from Terminal F of Sheremetyevo airport.[30]
from 2 February 2020, visa-free tourist trips provided for by the agreement on visa-free group tourist trips has been suspended[31]
from 4 February 2020, entry of foreign citizens from the territory of China through air checkpoints (except Sheremetyevo airport) has been canceled. The restriction does not apply to citizens of the member States of the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as aircraft crews, members of official delegations and persons who have a residence permit in the Russian Federation[32]
from 14 February 2020, charter air transportation between Russia and China has been suspended[33]
from 19 February 2020, the issuance of private, educational and tourist visas to Chinese citizens has been suspended. Business, humanitarian and transit visas are issued as usual.
from 20 February 2020, Russia temporarily suspended the entry of Chinese citizens, including Hong Kong and Macao, travelling for work, private, educational and tourist purposes[34][35]
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[36] across the state border of Russia.[37]
Citizens of third countries aren't allowed to cross the Belarus–Russia land border due to a lack of international border crossing points, because passports must be stamped.[38][39]
Visitors are advised[40] 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 2020:[41]
Residents of the border areas of Kazakhstan who visit the territory of the border areas of Russia up to 3 days can enter Russia through checkpoints, which are specially installed for residents of border areas.[42][43][44]
Travellers who are nationals of the following 63 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.[46][47]
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.[48]
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 – 30 days within any 60-day period
^On 18 February 2017 the President of Russia has 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 Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic can 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.[49]
^From 29 December 2018 citizens of Ukraine who residents of the territories of certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine can visit visa free for 180 days.[50]
Armenian, Azerbaijani, Belarusian, Kazakhstani, Kyrgyzstani, Moldovan, Tajik, Ukrainian and Uzbekistani citizens have never needed a visa to gain access to the Russian Federation
Citizens of China 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.
On 19 June 2020, Russia and Belarus have signed an agreement on mutual recognition of visas.[92] After ratification visa-free entry will be available for holders of a valid visa or residence permit of Belarus.[93]
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 Fan ID 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.[94]
Russia later extended its visa-free travel regime for foreign soccer fans until the end of 2018.[95]
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.[96][97][98]
Visa-free visits for up to 72 hours for cruise ship and ferry passengers[edit]
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.[99]
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.[103][104]
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.[105] 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.[106]
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.[107][108] The agreement was signed between USSR and USA on 23 September 1989[109] but came into force on 17 July 2015 after ratification by the United States.[110]
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.[113]
The territory covered by the agreement with Latvia
Norway — 15 days for holders of border traffic permit[114]
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.[115][116]
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 km from the border.
Poland — 30 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within a 180-day period for holders of border traffic permit[117][118]
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.[119][120]
The territory covered by the agreement with Poland
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.[121][122]
Agreements were signed with Italy[171] and Latvia[172] and they yet to be ratified.
Russian Government has instructed the Foreign Ministry to sign an agreement with Georgia,[173] and Tunisia.[174]
Citizens of following countries may visit Russia without a visa if they are travelling as part of the sea crew: Bulgaria,[127]
China,1[129]
Croatia,[130][131]
Cyprus,[132]
DR Congo,[175]
Egypt,[176]
France,[138]
Iran,[177]
Iraq,[178]
Lithuania,1[150]
North Korea,[154]
Poland,[158]
Tunisia,[179]
Turkey,
Turkmenistan,1[180]
Vietnam.[170]
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,[129] North Korea,[181]
Turkmenistan.[182]
Passengers travelling through international airports do not need a visa for a transit of less than 24 hours in most circumstances,[183] provided a confirmed onward ticket is held and the traveller remains in the international transit area (without clearing regular passport control).[184]
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:
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.[185]
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.
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:[46][47]
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,[186][187] 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.[188][189]
From 8 August 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia started to implement the eVisa Program. Citizens of the 18 countries[191] could apply eVisa to visit to regions in the Far Eastern Federal District.[192] From 1 July 2019, citizens of the 54 countries could applied for single-entry business, humanitarian and tourist visas to visit the Kaliningrad region.[193] From 8 June 2019, citizens of Taiwan were added to the list for Far East.[194] From 1 October 2019, electronic visas have become valid for Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast.[195] On 24 January 2020, the new list for the Far Eastern e-visa was approved.[196][197] Thus, the list of countries has become uniform for all regions where an electronic visa is applied.
On 1 January 2021, unified electronic visas were introduced in Russia.[198] 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.[199] 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. Foreign citizens have the right to freedom of movement within the entire territory of Russia. The 16-day e-visas are 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. Applications for a e-visa will be processed in no more than 4 calendar days from the date of submission of the application. The consular fee is $40 (children under 6 years of age get a visa free of charge).[200]
e-Visa allows arrival and departure only through the following border crossing points:[201]
In accordance with the Government Decree of 1992, 19 areas of the Russian Federation are closed to foreigners without special permits.[204] This restriction does not apply to Russian citizens.
12. In Leningrad Oblast - all Russian islands of Gulf of Finland, except Gogland, and 20 kilometres (12 mi) 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 is opened for foreigners from 2012.
As of 2014 the disputed territory of Crimea is under Russian control and Russia enforces its visa policy there.[205] 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".[206]
Sudan – 90 days within any 180-day period for diplomatic passports[221][222]
There is a plan for mutual recognition of visas with Belarus allowing for visa-free entry for holders of a valid visa or residence permit of Belarus.[223]
The Russian Federation has visa waiver agreements with 140 jurisdictions. In the table, red indicates agreements signed but not ratified or temporarily not applied.
Valid bilateral and multilateral visa waiver agreements
^ 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 <of the agreement> 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.
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:
Russia has agreements on cancellation of consular fees with the following countries: Algeria (1965),[441] Angola (15 Apr 1985),[442] Iran (15 Feb 1966),[443] Japan (1 Apr 1965),[444] Mauritania (1967),[445] New Zealand (1 Apr 1962).[446]
Agreements were denounced with Bangladesh,[447][448] Cambodia,[449][450] India,[451][452] and Pakistan[453][454]
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.[487]
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)[488]
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:
An ordinary private visa is issued for a period of up to three months or on the basis of the principle of reciprocity for a period of up to one year to foreign citizens traveling to Russia for a short visit on the basis of an invitation letter.
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 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.
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.[489]
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.[491][492][493]
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.[494]
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.[495]
The 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.[500]
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.[501]
Crimea
In 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.[502] Visa-free access for Chinese citizens was proposed in June 2014.[503] Visa-free entrance in cruise courts to Sevastopol began to be carried out from September 2015[101] Other of the proposals has been not realized.
Participants 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).[504]
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.[505]
Economic events
Participants of the 1st Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok did not require a visa. Entrance was allowed with passport and the accreditation certificate only.[506]
Participants of East Economic Forum in Vladivostok can visit an event without visas from 8 to 15 September 2018.[507]
Sporting events
Prior 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.[508] 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,[509] the 2014 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Moscow, the 2014 World Judo Championships in Chelyabinsk and the 16th FINA World Championships in Kazan.[510] Participants of the XVI World Aquatics Championships in the Masters category were exempted from visa fees.[511]
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.[512] Players of 2016 IIHF World Championship were able to obtain visas on arrival, for the fans were simplified procedure for issuing visas.[513] 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.[514]
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.[515]
^ abThe Crimean Peninsula, claimed and de facto administered by Russia, is recognized as territory of Ukraine by a majority of UN member nations.[45]
^ 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.
employees of diplomatic missions and consular offices in the Russian Federation;
drivers of international road transport vehicles;
crews of air, sea and river vessels, train and locomotive crews of international railway transport;
members of official delegations and persons holding diplomatic, official, or ordinary private visas issued in connection with the death of a close relative;
persons permanently residing in the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as persons in transit through air checkpoints.
Russia portal 
Italy travelling for educational, work, private, tourist and transit purposes
Iran travelling for educational, work, private, tourist and transit purposes
China, 
Hong Kong, 
Macao, travelling for work, private, educational and tourist purposes
Terehova–Burachki and 
Senkivka–Novye Yurkovichi.
Donetsk People's Republic and 
Luhansk People's Republic can 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.[49]
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.[105] 
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.[107][108] The agreement was signed between USSR and USA on 23 September 1989[109] but came into force on 17 July 2015 after ratification by the United States.[110]
Poland — 30 days, for a maximum total stay of 90 days within a 180-day period for holders of border traffic permit[117][118]
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