COVID-19: In order to protect public health and not to spread the new coronavirus infection, Russian Federation has temporarily restricted entry into the country for most foreign citizens and suspended the issuance of visas (incl. electronic visas) until further notice.

To travel to Russia, most foreign nationals are required to have an Entry Visa to Russia. You will need to complete the application for a visa through a visa center or consulate in your home country.

To get a Russian visa it is required to have an official invitation processed by Russian governmental authorities or a standard «tourist voucher» issued by the authorized Russian host travel. Incoming Russia tour operator is officially authorized by Russian Federal Agency for Tourism to issue «tourist vouchers» for Visa application.

In some countries (Italy and Spain) we provide a complete procedure for the tourist visa (including invitation, medical policy, consular fees, anketa compilation and application). In other countries we provide only visa support while application to visa center or consulate has to be done by the tourist locally. In this case as a supplementary service we can provide a medical policy and complete visa application form.

The Russian government has announced its plans to take one step further for making the country more accessible to foreign travelers — the implementation of new Electronic Visas for Russia that are expected to go live starting Jan.1, 2021.

The process of obtaining a visa will be simplified significantly. Instead of the current procedure, which requires a lot of paperwork and a personal visit to the authorities to submit the application, the new simplified process of application and issuance will be fully electronic. Foreigners will be able to apply for visas online at the Russian Foreign Ministry website.

Under the new regulations, citizens of 52 countries - including EU member states and different countries in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America - would be able to obtain 16-day, single-entry tourist visas online. Visas will be issued no more than 4 working days after applying and will be valid for 60 days after issuance.

Caution:  The Russian Parliament has yet to approve the law that would put into effect the Electronic Visa program of 2021. While it is likely to pass, the hearing on the law is expected soon, therefore please contact us at info@incoming-russia.eu to clarify the current status.

Visa is not required to enter Russian Federation for:

→  Citizens of visa-free countries

Several countries have bilateral agreements with Russia in place to allow visa-free travel to Russia for their citizens. But in most cases duration of the visa-free stay in Russia is limited and visa is required to enter Russia for a longer period. Please click here to see the list of visa-free countries in 2020.

→  Certain types of visa-free trips:

• Short-term transit. If remain in the international transit area of the airport in order to catch an onward or connecting flight within 24 hours of arrival or more in case of forced stop;
• Sea Cruise. Within an organized group tour for no more than 72 hours at an area of the port of call. Tourists are not allowed to visit the city on their own without an authorized guide and must spend the night on the ship;
• Some big international events like Olympics, championships or etc. (only in case of the adoption of the appropriate resolution by the Russian Government).