Russia

Russian citizens traveling internationally must meet specific entry requirements. This includes applying for a visa in person, getting an eVisa, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), a Visa on Arrival (VOA), or traveling visa-free to designated destinations. 

Russian citizens are eligible to apply for eVisas and ETAs for 44 countries, both of which can be easily applied online. 

Visa on Arrival services are available in 33 countries. This allows travelers to get a visa upon arrival in the destination country’s immigration. 

For countries requiring sticker or stamped visas, Russian citizens must visit the respective country’s embassy or consulate. Some countries offer online appointment scheduling as part of the application process.

Regardless of the visa requirement, Russian citizens must hold a valid passport with a minimum validity of six (6) months from the intended date of entry. 

As a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Russia benefits from visa-free travel agreements with other member states. 

With a passport ranked 38th globally, Russian citizens can travel to 76 countries without requiring a visa. 

However, visa requirements vary significantly from one country to another. The best course of action for travelers is to thoroughly research the visa policies of their intended destination before beginning the application process.

The eVisa is a digital visa that is issued online. Travelers can apply for the visa online without visiting the destination country’s embassy or consulate. After approval, it can then be downloaded and stored on your smartphone or printed on paper and presented at the airport.

ETA, or Electronic Travel Authorization, is a travel permit rather than a visa that allows you to travel to the destination country without applying for a visa prior to your visit. Upon arrival to the country, you can get your visa directly from the immigration authorities.

Like an eVisa, an ETA can also be applied online. While an eVisa allows flexible travel within its validity period, an ETA has a specific timeframe in which the traveler must arrive at the destination country to secure their visa.

If this timeframe is exceeded, the ETA becomes invalid. You will have to apply for a new one before your travel.

Russian citizens can apply for an eVisa and ETA for the following countries:

Visa on Arrival (VoA) is a type of visa that allows travelers to apply for a visa upon arriving at the destination country’s airport or border.

Since immigration authorities have the authority to change the VoA policies, it is advisable to check the recent rules and regulations of the destination country before traveling.

Below are the countries that allow Russian citizens to travel with a VoA:

As Russia’s passport holds the 38th rank globally, citizens of the country enjoy the privilege of visiting 76 countries without a visa.

Here is a list of countries Russian citizens can visit visa-free:

Russian citizens need to get a sticker visa while traveling to 62 countries in the world. The visa application can be done both online and offline.

For certain countries, the online application process allows you to complete the procedure without visiting an office and mailing your passport through post. However, this varies based on the visa regulations of the destination country.

Offline applications require you to visit the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit. During this process, you will need to submit your documents, visa application form, and passport in person.

Moreover, the duration of your visit depends on the type of visa and the purpose of your visit. It is essential that you check the specific requirements for your desired visa before starting the application process.

Here is the list of countries that require a visa from Russian citizens:

Russian citizens get visa-free transit privileges when traveling through certain countries. However, the duration of the visa-free transit period varies by country.

We recommend verifying the specific transit policies with the immigration authorities of each country before your journey:

Here are the countries that Russians get a visa-free transit:

There are some general visa requirements that are the same in every country. Russian citizens traveling abroad must fulfill the requirements stated below:

• Valid Passport: A Russian passport with at least six (6) months of validity remaining from the date of entry into the destination country.
• Visa Application Form: A completed visa application form, which can be submitted online or in person at the embassy or consulate. The form requires personal details, travel information, supporting documents, and the purpose of the visit.
• Photograph: One or more recent passport-sized color photographs (taken within the last three months) with a white background, clearly displaying your face from ear to ear.
• Flight Tickets: Proof of travel, including inbound and outbound flight tickets, may be required by some countries.
• Proof of Accommodation: Documentation showing where you will stay during your trip, such as hotel bookings or an address where you will reside (e.g., with friends or family).

Russia is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). This offers the advantage of visa-free access to member states.

Here are the countries Russian citizens can travel without a visa due to the EAEU members visa waiver program:

Additionally, as part of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Russian citizens enjoy the benefit of visa-free travel or simplified visa procedures to the following countries:

With a Russian passport, you can travel to 215 countries worldwide. Ranked 38th globally, the Russian passport allows visa-free entry to 76 countries.

Russian citizens can visit 76 countries without a visa. These countries are mentioned in the visa-free destinations section above.

The answer is yes, Russian citizens can hold three passports. Although there are certain rules and regulations related to the passport and citizenship amendment, it is best to refer to the citizenship law of the Russian Federation for better information. 

The best way to prove your Russian citizenship is by providing your Russian passport, citizenship certificate, naturalization certificate, or a verification certificate from the consulate.

The answer is yes, Russia can have dual citizenship. This includes the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member countries. To learn more about the citizenship law and regulations inthe  Russian Federation, we recommend you to check out the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Russian consulate.