Country
Passport Required?
Visa Required?
Return Ticket Required?
Valid passport required by all.
Whilst in the country, visitors must carry ID at all times.
Rather than carry original documents, it is advisable to carry
photocopies of passports and visas, which will facilitate
replacement should either be stolen.
Required by all except the following, provided arriving
from their country of origin:
(a) nationals of CIS
countries (except nationals of Turkmenistan and Georgia who
do require visas);
(b) nationals of Cuba, Korea
(DPR), Poland, Romania and Vietnam for stays of up to 30
days;
(c) nationals of Cyprus and Mongolia, provided coming
for purposes of business and holding letter of invitation and
return tickets, or travelling as tourists and holding prepaid
hotel vouchers.
Tourist, Business, Private and
Transit visas: $45, if visa is processed in 6 working
days. (Processing within 3-5 days costs $90; next-day
processing $120; same-day processing costs $130; processing
within 1 hour costs $180.)Multiple-entry visa: $150, if
visa is processed the same or next day ($220 if processed
within 1 hour).
(a) Nationals of the UK and France under 18 years of age
pay half of the applicable visa fees. (b) Transit visas are
required by all except passengers remaining in the transit
zone of Moscow Sheremetievo airport for less than 24 hours.
Dependent on purpose of trip. Transit visas are valid for
up to 3 days. Tourist visas are valid for 1 month. Private
visas are valid for 90 days.
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy).
(a) Completed application form. (b) 1 recent passport-size
photo with applicant’s name written clearly on the reverse.
(c) Valid 5-year passport with at least one blank page. (d) A
tourist voucher (exchange order) issued by an authorised
travel company stating their reference number, passenger
names, dates of entry and exit, confirmation of payment,
itinerary, places to be visited, and means of transportation.
The voucher should be stamped and signed by an authorised
person. (e) Return air ticket (copy acceptable). (f) Fee
(payable in cash only). (g) Postal applications must be
accompanied by a large, stamped, self-addressed envelope. (h)
Medical insurance. Business visas: (a)-(h) and, (i) An
introductory letter from the applicant’s company or firm
indicating the purpose of the visit, itinerary, organisation
to be visited, period of stay and exact departure dates of
flights. (i) An official invitation from the Russian Foreign
Ministry, Ministry of Interior or any other authorised Russian
Agency. Private visas: (a)-(h) and, (i) An original
letter of invitation to be obtained on the applicant’s behalf
by friends or relatives in Russia from the local authorities.
Valid for 1 year. Transit visas: (a)-(c), (e) and
(h). Multiple Entry visas: (a)-(h) and, (i) Written
confirmation or telex from the Consular Department of the
Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(a) Those who are travelling in groups (standard package
tours, coach tours, international competitions and cruises)
should submit all documentation to the tour operator making
the travel arrangements. For visits to relatives/friends in
the CIS, enquire at the Consulate for details of application
procedures. (b) All travellers staying in the Russian
Federation for longer than 3 days must register their visas
through their hotel or sponsor. Private visitors must register
with local police on arrival. For travel to Tajikistan your
invitation should be confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Depending on type of visa, 1 to 14 days. Postal
applications take at least 3 weeks to process. Applications
for visas may not be made earlier than 3 months before
departure.
Exit visas are required by all passengers who want to leave
the country. If the exit permit has not yet been issued by the
representative of the Russian Federation which issued the
visa, aliens should obtain it at the latest 2 days prior to
departure, from the Intourist Service Bureau in their hotel.
18 ul. Kazakova, 103064 Moscow, Russian Federation
Tel:
(095) 202 7117 or 202 3891. Fax: (095) 263 0761.
Poliomyelitis occurs. Immunisation is advisable.
All water should be regarded as being a potential health
risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice
should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised.
Contaminated tap water contains a high prevalence of
gastrointestinal infections. The water supply in St
Petersburg especially has been linked to giardiasis.
Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for
consumption. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably
served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased
risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Dysentery is common throughout the country.
Hepatitis A occurs. Widespread outbreaks of
diphtheria have been reported. Consult a doctor
regarding inoculation before travelling to Russia. Tick-borne
typhus has been reported from east and central Siberia.
Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease occur
in forested areas throughout the Russian Federation.
Vaccination is advisable. Outbreaks of Japanese
Encephalitis have been reported from the southeast.
Leishmaniasis occurs in the south, and in 1999 an
outbreak of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever occurred
in the area north of Stravapol. Outbreaks of meningitis
have been reported from Volgograd.
Rabies is
present and increasing. For those at high risk, vaccination
before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek
medical advice without delay.
Visitors staying for more than three months must produce a
certificate proving they are HIV-negative. The certification
requirements are exacting and detailed; a medical examination
may also be required. Foreign tests may be acceptable under
certain conditions. Check details with the embassy.
The highly developed health service provides free medical
treatment for all citizens. If a traveller becomes ill during
a booked tour, emergency treatment is free, with small sums to
be paid for medicines and hospital treatment. If a longer stay
than originally planned becomes necessary because of the
illness, the visitor has to pay for all further treatment.
This can be very expensive; air evacuation can cost up to $120,000. All visitors are strongly advised to have full
medical cover that includes medical evacuation. It is
advisable to take a supply of medicines that are likely to be
required (check first that they may be imported legally).
Jan 1 2002 New Year’s Day. Jan 7 Russian
Christmas. Mar 8 International Women’s Day. May
1-2 Spring and Labour Day. May 5 Russian Orthodox
Easter. May 9 Victory in Europe Day. Jun 12
Independence Day. Nov 7 Day of Reconciliation and
Consent. Dec 7 Constitution Day. Jan 1 2003 New
Year’s Day. Jan 7 Russian Christmas. Mar 8
International Women’s Day. Apr 27 Russian Orthodox
Easter. May 1-2 Spring and Labour Day. May 9
Victory in Europe Day. Jun 12 Independence Day.
Nov 7 Day of Reconciliation and Consent. Dec 7
Constitution Day.
Destination Guide – Russian Federation
Passport and Visa Application
Health
Holidays
Passports
Note
Visas
Types of visa and cost
Note
Validity
Application to
Application requirements
Note
Exit permits
Addresses
1
2
Other risks
Note
Health care
Public Holidays
| British | yes | yes | yes |
| Australian | yes | yes | yes |
| Canadian | yes | yes | yes |
| USA | yes | yes | yes |
| Other EU | yes | yes | yes |
| Japanese | yes | yes | yes |
| Working days required |
| Ministry of Tourism |
|
|
|
|
| Health Precaution | Special Precaution | Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | no | no |
| Cholera | no | no |
| Typhoid and Polio | 1 | n/a |
| Malaria | no | n/a |
| Food and Drink | 2 | n/a |