Russia Travel Guide

Browse the Russia Photo Gallery

Passports and Visas

Valid visas in expired passports or other expired travel documents are not accepted. Visitors must carry ID at all times while in Russia; a photocopy of your passport and visa will suffice. An Immigrant Card will be issued on board the aircraft or on arrival. All visitors staying for longer than three days must register with the local police upon arrival; if staying in a hotel, the hotel will arrange this. Anyone traveling on a tourist visa must hold vouchers from the hotel or travel agency. Passengers are required to hold return/onward tickets and documents required for the next destination. Exit permits are required on departure. These are usually issued with the visa, or can be obtained at hotels not less than two days before departure. Passports must be valid for period of intended stay. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Americans

United States citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.

UK Nationals

British citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.

Canadians

Canadian citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.

Australians

Australian citizens must have a valid passport. A visa is required.

South Africans

South Africans must have a valid passport. A visa is required.

Irish Nationals

Irish nationals require a valid passport. A visa is required.

New Zealanders

New Zealand nationals require a valid passport. A visa is required.

Healthcare

Travelers to Russia are advised to have up-to-date vaccinations for hepatitis A, tuberculosis and typhoid fever (long-term travelers), as well as medications for travelers' diarrhoea. There is also a risk of tick-borne encephalitis in rural and wooded areas, particularly in the Ural and Siberian regions. HIV/AIDS is on the increase. Measles outbreaks occur. Drinking water should be treated; bottled water is readily available. There is a reciprocal health care agreement with the UK entitling citizens to free health treatment in hospital. Local state medical facilities are of a low standard, however, and visitors are strongly advised to have full insurance for medical treatment and accidents should they require private care. Blood transfusions should not be performed in Russia, due to uncertainties concerning the blood supply. Essential medications and supplies may be limited. There have been outbreaks of bird flu in a number of regions of Russia, including around Moscow, but there have been no reports of human infection. Travelers are advised to avoid contact with domestic, caged and wild birds and ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked.

Safety

Travelers are advised against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan because of the security situation in the North Caucasus, including the regions of Budyonnovsky, Levokumsky, Neftekumsky, Stepnovsky and Kurskoy. Travelers are advised against all but essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area) as terrorism and kidnapping in these regions persist. Between April and August 2008, there was a series of explosions in and around Sochi. There is a high risk of domestic terrorism throughout Russia, particularly in Moscow and North Caucasus, with suicide bombings and explosions in public areas and on public transport, and hostage-taking is a serious threat. Visitors are advised to be vigilant and to watch out for pickpockets and street crime. There has been an increase in crime, specifically targeting tourists, in St Petersburg and visitors are advised to be cautious on the metro and buses, and should insist on seeing official ID from police officers. Political protests often end in violence and detention; visitors are advised to avoid all demonstrations.