Visiting Russia is not easy and you will be required to have a visa almost every type of travel there. There are several steps you should take before heading to Russia, with the right steps you can avoid the common mistakes.Everyone knows that Russia is the largest country in the world. But there are many things about this country that many people aren’t aware of. So, if you’re planning to travel to Russia and you’re wondering if you need a visa for Russia, then these facts will help.

As a short-term visa holder (visiting Russia for less than 90 days), you may enter Russia within 10 days from the date of issue of your visa. So, you can stay in Russia for up to 20 days without time limitations. As for long-term visa holders, they are entitled to stay in Russia without travel restrictions after entering the country.

Do I Need Visa For Russia

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).