Russia is a vast country with much to explore. However, before you begin your vacation or business trip adventure, it is of utmost importance that you understand the visa requirements of the country in which you desire to visit. However, before knowing the answer to “do I need a visa for Russia”, one should first be aware of some official information about Russian visas.

If you wish to enter Russia, you will almost certainly require a visa. You’ll want a Russian visa if you’re planning a vacation to Moscow, St Petersburg or even the Black Sea coast. You may need a business visa for business meetings or to attend an exhibition. Tourism visas are only granted for tourist trips outside of Moscow, St Petersburg and the Black Sea resorts.

Do I Need A Visa For Russia

If you want to travel to Russia and stay there for a while, you will need a Russian visa. To stay in Russia without a visa you are allowed to visit the country only through organized tours or transit through the airport. The easiest and quickest way to get your visa is by applying for it via travel agencies. Otherwise, if you wish to get it on your own, you must send all documents with a filled-out application form and invitation letter that was prepared by a registrar. You also must have money to pay for all expenses in Russia before you land at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow.

Who does not need a visa to Russia?

Under the Russian Federation visa-free regime, foreign citizens with ordinary (tourist) passports (unless specified below) who fall within the following categories do not require a visa for visits of the length and nature outlined below:

• Andorra (for visits of up to 90 days in any 360-day period). Applicants planning to stay for more than 90 days in any 1 year period require a visa
• Antigua and Barbuda (for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period).
• Argentina (for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period (starting from the day of first entry)). Applicants planning to stay for more than 90 days in any 180-day period require a visa if they are going to Russia to conduct commercial or work-related activities. Diplomatic or Official passport holders require a visa for the whole period of their stay
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Bolivia (for visits of up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina (up to 30 days for tourists and up to 90 days for other visitors). Tourist documents or the original invitation, as appropriate, must be presented to the Russian Immigration authorities
• Botswana (up to 30 days in single trip, not more than 90 days in 180-day period).
• Brazil (for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period) – for tourists, private visits or transit purposes only. In all other cases, a visa is required
• Brunei (for visits of up to 14 days)
• Cabo-Verde (up to 60 days)
• Chile (for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period) – the visa-free regime does not apply to work- and business-related visits and Diplomatic and Service passport holders
• Colombia (for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period)
• Costa Rica (up to 90 days in any 180-day period)
• Cuba (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Croatia (up to 30 days for tourists and up to 90 days for other visitors). Tourist documents (voucher in original) or the original invitation, as appropriate, must be presented to the Russian Immigration authorities
• Dominica (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Ecuador (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Fiji (up to 90 days)

• Grenada (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Guyana (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Guatemala (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Hong Kong (for visits of up to 14 days)
• Honduras (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Israel (for visits of up to 90 days in 180-day period). Tourist documents or the original invitation, as appropriate, must be presented to the Russian Immigration authorities. The visa-free regime does not apply to Diplomatic and Service passport holders
• Jamaica (up to 90 days in 1 year)
• Kazakhstan
• Kirghiz Republic
• Korea South (up to 60 days)
• Laos (up to 30 days).
• Macao (up to 30 days).
• Macedonia (up to 30 days for tourists and up to 90 days for other visitors). Tourist documents or the original invitation, as appropriate, must be presented to the Russian Immigration authorities
• Maldives (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Mauritius (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Moldova (up to 90 days in any 180-day period)
• Mongolia
• Montenegro (for visits of up to 30 days). The visa-free regime does not apply to Diplomatic and Service passport holders
• Nauru (up to 14 days)
• Nicaragua (for visits of up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Peru (for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period). The visa-free regime does not apply to work- and business-related visits and Diplomatic and Service passport holders
• Palau (up to 30 days)
• Panama (up to 90 days in any 180-day period)
• Paraguay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period)
• Qatar (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Serbia. Citizens with biometric passports obtained after 9 April 2008 can stay in Russia for up to 30 days. Diplomatic or Official passport holders without accreditation in Russia can stay for up to 90 days. Serbian nationals with temporary and permanent resident permits can stay without time limits. In all other cases, a visa is required. The visa-free regime does not apply to Yugoslavian passport holders
• Salvador (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Samoa (up to 60 days)
• Seychelles (up to 30 days)
• The Republic of South Africa (for visits of up to 90 days)
• Suriname (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• St Kitts and Nevis (up to 90 days)
• Thailand (for visits of up to 90 days). Diplomatic and Service passport holders can stay (up to 30 days).
• Tajikistan
• Ukraine (up to 90 day in 180-days period)
• United Arab Emirates (up to 90 days in 180-day period)
• Uruguay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period)
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu (up to 90 days in a single trip)
• Venezuela (for visits of up to 90 days in 180-days period).

Your recommended passport validity is 6 months from the date of your allowed stay in Russia after entry (example: If you enter Russia on the 1st of January and you are allowed to stay up to 90 days, that mean that your passport should be valid at least until 1st of October).