Country guideLast checked October 17, 2026
Visas and immigration in Russia
Visas and immigration in Russia4 routes from official government sources, grouped by type. Each guide covers who it's for, the requirements and where to apply.
Visiting Russia
Short-stay rules by passport, from official sources. Last checked October 17, 2026.
- 68 passports visa-free
- 59 passports need an eTA or eVisa
- 122 passports need a visa
Passports that can visit without a visa
- Andorra
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Fiji
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Hong Kong SAR China
- Israel
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Macao SAR China
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Namibia
- Nicaragua
- Oman
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Qatar
- Samoa
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- South Africa
- South Korea
- St. Kitts & Nevis
- St. Vincent & Grenadines
- Suriname
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
Andorra
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Belize
Bolivia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Cape Verde
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Fiji
Georgia
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Hong Kong SAR China
Israel
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Macao SAR China
Maldives
Mauritius
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Myanmar (Burma)
Namibia
Nicaragua
Oman
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Qatar
Samoa
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Seychelles
South Africa
South Korea
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Vincent & Grenadines
Suriname
Tajikistan
Thailand
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
VietnamSortBest match
Visit & tourism1 pathway
Study1 pathway
Work permits2 pathways
2 more pathways for members
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Visit & tourism1 pathway
Study1 pathway
Work permits2 pathways
2 more pathways for members
Subscribe to open every country, with full requirements, fees, steps and your score on each pathway.
Get started
Official sources
Government pages behind these routes.
- MFA of Russia – Electronic visa portal
- MFA of Russia – Electronic visa FAQ
- Official site for the selection of foreign citizens to study in Russia (Ministry of Science and Higher Education)
- education-in-russia.com – FAQ
- education-in-russia.com – How to apply for the Government quota for 2026/27 (news, 15.09.2025)
- education-in-russia.com – Quota application deadlines extended for several countries (news, 27.01.2026)
- Federal Law No. 115-FZ 'On the legal status of foreign citizens', consolidated text (pages 13–15, Art. 13.2) – Government of Russia
- Federal Law No. 115-FZ, Art. 13.2 continued – Government of Russia
- Gosuslugi – Issuing a work permit to a highly qualified specialist (service card)
- Gosuslugi – Work permit for a family member of an HQS
- Federal Law No. 115-FZ, consolidated text, Art. 13.3 (pages 15–16) – Government of Russia
- Federal Law No. 115-FZ, Art. 13.3 continued – Government of Russia