Russia Visa and Passport Requirements

Passports

To enter Russia, all nationals mentioned in the chart above must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the visa expiry date and contains at least two blank pages.

Visas

All nationals mentioned in the chart above must have a valid visa to visit Russia.

Your visa for Russia also serves as an exit permit and must be presented upon departure.

Visa Note

Nationals not listed in the chart are advised to contact the Russian embassy to check specific visa requirements.

Travellers in groups or on organised tours should submit all required documentation to their tour operator. For those visiting relatives or friends in Russia, it is advisable to consult the consulate for details regarding the application process.

Upon entering, travellers must sign an immigration card at passport control. It is essential to keep this card and other visa-related documents at all times while in Russia. The immigration card must be shown upon leaving Russia also. Biometric fingerprints are also required for nationals of the United Kingdom and Denmark when entering Russia.

Cruise-ship or ferry passengers on organised tours can visit Russia visa-free for up to 72 hours if arriving at ports such as St Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Vladivostok, Sochi, Vyborg, Korsakov (Sakhalin Island), and Novorossiysk.

All travellers staying in Russia for more than seven days must register their visas with the Federal Migration Service. Most major hotels handle this automatically. Private visitors must register with the local police upon arrival. Visitors must have confirmed accommodation or transit arrangements for every night of their stay in Russia. For business or professional stays, foreign nationals can register under the address of the hosting Russian business without needing to provide the address of their actual accommodation.

Please note that border crossings between Russia and Belarus may only be used by nationals of Russia and Belarus.

Types and Cost

Visa fees for Russia vary depending on the applicant's nationality. For specific details, visit the Russia Visa Centre website (https://russia-visacentre.com/en/visa/united-kingdom/russia) or contact your nearest Russian embassy.

For UK nationals, the current fees are:
Single-entry tourist/business visa: £70
Double-entry visa: £115
Multiple-entry business visa: £215
In addition to the visa fee, a service charge applies:
£66 for four-day processing
£60.60 for processing up to twenty days

Validity

Single- or double-entry tourist visa: 30 days.

Single- or double-entry business visa: 90 days. 

Multiple-entry business visa: up to one year with unlimited entries/exits. 

Application to

Visit a consulate or an embassy. In the UK, the Russia Visa Centre handles the applications. British nationals (aged 12 or over) living in the UK must also go to a visa application centre in London, Manchester or Edinburgh to submit biometric data.

Working days

Processing times depend on nationality, type of visa and amount paid. Allow at least five working days for straightforward applications.

Sufficient Funds

Depending on your nationality, you may be required to provide bank statements from the past three months when applying for a visa.

Australians, Americans, Canadians, and EU nationals do not need to provide proof of income as part of the visa application process.

Compulsary Registration

All travellers must register with the local authorities if you're staying anywhere for more than 7 working days. Most hotels will do this automatically. If you're staying with someone, check that they are doing this.

Entry with children

Children under 18 travelling alone must submit a letter from one of their parents authorising them to travel unaccompanied and must also supply a copy of the parent's passport with their visa application.

Embassies and tourist offices

British Embassy in Russia

Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and Fri 1400-1700.

Embassy of the Russian Federation in the USA

Embassy of the Russian Federation in the UK