Russia Travel Guide

Browse the Russia Photo Gallery

Passports

Passport valid for six months after the visa expires and with at least two blank pages required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

It is not possible to have two visas in your passport at the same time. Your visa is also an exit permit and must be presented on departure. Company directors and self employed may need to provide bank statements as part of their appliations.

Visa Note

(a) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.
(b) Those who are traveling in groups and tours should submit all documentation to the tour operator making the travel arrangements. For visits to relatives/friends in Russia, enquire at the consulate for details of application procedures.
(c) All travelers staying in the Russian Federation for longer than three days must register their visas within seven working days of arrival with the local branch of the Ministry of the Interior. Most major hotels will do this automatically. Private visitors must register with local police on arrival. For business/professional stays, foreign nationals may now register under the address of the Russian business and no longer must provide the address of the actual accommodation.
(d) All visitors requiring visas are advised to carry their visa registration documents with them during their stay in the Russian Federation.
(e) All visitors must have confirmed accommodation or transit information for every night of their stay in the Russian Federation.
(f) Nationals of the Schengen states, Estonia and Israel are required to submit travel insurance documents with their visa applications.
(g) Nationals of France may be required to submit bank statements for the last three months, return tickets and travel insurance documents with their visa applications.
(h) Nationals applying for a working/student visa must also submit a HIV certificate.

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist: £115 (single-entry, seven working days processing); £210 (single-entry, two day processing); £125 (double-entry, minimum seven calendar days processing); £230 (double-entry, two day processing). Also a processing fee of £26.40 for visas to be processed within seven days. Prices for citizens of other countries vary.

Validity

Business: up to 90 days; Multiple-entry: 12 months with unlimited entries/exits; Tourist: single entry, maximum of 30 days; double entry, valid up to 30 days.

Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy). Those applying from the UK should apply to VFS Services Limited.

Working Days Required

Depending on nationality, type of visa and amount paid (see above). Postal applications usually take 10 working days, but can take up to 15 days.

Travel Warnings

Travelers are advised against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan because of the security situation in the North Caucasus.

Travelers are also advised against all travel to the regions which border Dagestan and Chechnya, namely Budyonnovsky, Levokumsy, Neftekumsky, Stepnovsky and Kurskoy in east and south Stavropol Krai, and all but essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area) where terrorism and kidnapping remain a serious problem.

Most visits are trouble-free but there is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers. Attacks have occurred most frequently in Moscow and in the North Caucasus.

There has been an increase in racially motivated attacks: visitors of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent should take extra care.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisaions for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health Care

The highly developed health service provides free medical treatment for all citizens. If a traveler becomes ill during a booked tour, emergency treatment is free, with small sums to be paid for medicines and hospital treatment. If a longer stay than originally planned becomes necessary because of the illness, the visitor has to pay for all further treatment. This can be very expensive; especially air evacuation. All visitors are strongly advised to have full medical cover that includes medical evacuation. It is advisable to take a supply of medicines that are likely to be required (check first that they may be imported legally). A reciprocal health care agreement is in operation between the UK and the Russian Federation, allowing citizens to receive free treatment. Private medical care can be expensive.

Vaccinations