What foreign tourists need to know before traveling to Russia
Who can enter Russia for tourist purposes?
A foreign citizen or a person with a residence permit in a state included in the list of Appendix No. 1 to the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 635-r dated March 16, 2020 (hereinafter referred to as the Order) can enter Russia for tourist purposes. The current version of the document you can find at the link.
A foreign tourist can enter Russia either directly from his own country, or with a transfer in any other country with which air traffic has been restored.
Are tourist visas issued to foreign tourists who are allowed to enter Russia?
Yes, if the country of citizenship of a foreign tourist is included in the Order, the Russian consulates issue tourist visas to citizens of these countries to enter Russia.
Residents of 55 countries can use this service. The full list, as well as the eligibility conditions, can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
The visa application must be submitted at least 4 calendar days before the intended trip to Russia. The duration of stay is 16 days. The period of validity of the visa is 60 days. It is suitable for both tourist and business trips, as well as participation in cultural, scientific and sports activities.
