For most travellers the answer is yes — you need a visa to enter Russia. Only citizens of a limited set of visa-exempt countries can enter without one. This guide explains who is exempt, who can use the simple e-visa, and who must apply for a consular visa.
Do you need a visa to visit Russia?
Almost certainly yes, unless you hold a passport from a visa-exempt country. Russia waives short-stay tourist visas mainly for citizens of CIS countries (such as Armenia, Kazakhstan and Belarus) and a number of states with bilateral visa-free agreements. If you are not from one of those — which includes travellers from the US, UK, EU and most of Asia — you need either an e-visa or a consular visa.
Who can use the Russian e-visa?
The unified electronic visa covers citizens of about 64 countries, including most of the European Union, China, India, Japan, Turkey and Mexico. It is single-entry, allows a stay of up to 30 days, and is applied for entirely online. Full details are in our Russia e-visa guide.
Who needs a consular (paper) visa?
If your country is neither visa-exempt nor on the e-visa list, you must apply for a consular visa at a Russian embassy or authorised visa centre. This includes US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens, who are not eligible for the e-visa. Consular visas also cover purposes the e-visa doesn't — long stays, work, study, or business with multiple entries.
Visa types by purpose
- Tourist — sightseeing and short private visits; e-visa or consular tourist visa.
- Business — meetings and commercial activity; usually needs an invitation and can be multiple-entry.
- Work / study — requires sponsorship from an employer or institution.
- Private / humanitarian — visiting family, or cultural and religious purposes.
Entry and registration rules
Whatever visa you hold, on arrival you need a passport valid for the required period plus your visa or e-visa approval. If you stay more than seven working days, your accommodation must register your stay with the authorities — hotels do this automatically. Keep the registration slip until you leave.
Which countries don't need a visa for Russia?
Mainly CIS member states and countries with bilateral visa-free agreements, usually for stays of 30-90 days. These lists change, so confirm your passport's status with an official Russian source before travelling.
