Our legal & migration team is constantly following the situation with entry and exit requirements and transport restrictions in Russia. In this article you can find out about current situation.

Countries for which there are no (or limited) restrictions for travelling from/to Russia

  • Abkhazia
  • Albania February 28, 2022
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Austria February 28, 2022
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahamas
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Belgium February 28, 2022
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria February 28, 2022
  • Costa Rica
  • Czech Republic February 28, 2022
  • China
  • Croatia February 28, 2022
  • Cuba
  • Cyprus February 28, 2022
  • Denmark February 28, 2022
  • Djibouti
  • Dominican Republic
  • Egypt
  • Ethiopia
  • Finland February 28, 2022
  • France February 28, 2022
  • Greece February 28, 2022
  • Germany (from April 1, 2021February 28, 2022
  • Hungary February 28, 2022
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Ireland February 28, 2022
  • Italy February 28, 2022
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya (December 28, 2021 Restrictions are resumed. Government decree)
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Lebanon
  • Lichtenstein February 28, 2022
  • Luxembourg February 28, 2022
  • Maldives
  • Malta February 28, 2022
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Moldova
  • Mongolia
  • Morocco
  • Netherlands February 28, 2022
  • New Zealand
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway February 28, 2022
  • Oman
  • Peru
  • Portugal February 28, 2022
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia February 28, 2022
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia February 28, 2022
  • Slovenia February 28, 2022
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • South Ossetia
  • Spain February 28, 2022
  • Sri Lanka (from April 1, 2021)
  • Sweden February 28, 2022
  • Switzerland February 28, 2022
  • Syria (from April 1, 2021)
  • Tajikistan (from April 1, 2021)
  • Tanzania (air travelling is restricted until June 1 June 21 August 17 September 2 October 1 November 1 February 1)
  • Thailand
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey (air travelling is restricted until June 1, June 21)
  • Turkmenistan
  • UAE
  • UK (air travelling restrictions are prolonged until June 01, 2021 Flights are resumed from June 2, 2021February 28, 2022
  • USA February 28, 2022
  • Uzbekistan (from April 1, 2021)
  • Venezuela (from April 1, 2021)
  • Vietnam

Current requirements

For Russian nationals. Russian nationals can now leave the country:

  • To visit close relatives who live abroad and need care;
  • For treatment, work, or study (single border crossing).

Documents confirming the purpose of the visit must be provided to cross the border.

For foreign nationals. Foreign nationals are allowed to enter the Russian Federation:

  • For treatment in Russian medical organizations. To this end, foreign nationals will have to provide:
    • Valid identity documents recognized as such in the Russian Federation and visas, or without visas in cases provided by international treaties;
    • Documents or copies of documents issued by a medical organization confirming the treatment offer and specifying the treatment dates, or documents issued by the Russian Ministry of Health.
  • Those with close relatives, foster parents or guardians who need care are allowed to cross the border. To do so, they will need:
    • Valid identity documents and visas if required by international treaties;
    • Documents confirming kinship;
    • Documents issued by a medical organization confirming that the relatives need care.
  • June 25, 2020 Highly qualified specialists are allowed to enter Russia under certain conditions
    August 27, 2020 Entry procedure for Highly Qualified Specialists during the period of restrictions related to COVID-19

July 21, 2021 Starting from July 25, 2021 foreign citizens who enter Russia from one of the Eurasian Economic Union countries must show the negative PCR test results using mobile app “Travelling without COVID-19”.

The test has to be conducted not earlier than 3 days before arrival. The new requirements will apply to all foreign citizens from all countries starting from September 1, 2021. Transit and short-stay passengers don’t have to use the mobile app, but are still required to be able to show negative PCR test results (Government decree).

Timeline for changes of transport links

  • March 2020: The government decree of March 16 prohibited border crossing for most citizens of Russia and other countries with some exceptions for certain citizens. A new decree was issued on June 6.
  • Update as of July 13, 2020Rospotrebnadzor has issued an order canceling compulsory self-isolation for all visitors to the Russian Federation from July 15.  When crossing the border, foreign citizens will need to provide a medical certificate confirming that they are not infected by the coronavirus. Medical certificates, drawn up either in Russian or in English, must be obtained no more than 3 days before entering the Russian Federation. According to Rospotrebnadzor order, the requirements for medical certificates are as follows: “a medical document (in Russian or in English) confirming a negative test for COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), collected no earlier than three calendar days before arrival in the Russian Federation, a medical document confirming the detection of antibodies of immunoglobulin G (IgG) (if any)”. If no certificates are available, a test must be done in the Russian Federation within 3 days of arrival. Russian citizens must be tested for coronavirus in the Russian Federation within 3 days of entry.
  • September 24, 2020 Rospotrebnadzor has issued another order according to which Russian citizens have to self-isolate after coming back to Russia until they obtain the results of the test for COVID-19. Employers must notify employees about this duty before their departure from Russia.
  • December 26, 2020New order by Rosbotrebnadzor: all russian and foreign citizens who arrive from Great Britain have to go through a 14-day self-isolation at the place of their permanent or temporary residence.
  • The situation with transport links remains uncertain. According to one of TASS sources, the Federal Air Transport Agency plans to send proposals to Rospotrebnadzor for resumption of flights from Russian from July 15.
  • According to the website of the Association of Russian Tour Operators, Russia plans to open air links with 8 CIS countries from July 15 onwards, and from August 1 “air links will open with another 7 countries (countries from Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia) for regular fights to major cities. Charter flights will be resumed last.”
  • Updates as of July 2, 2020: The opening of air links is expected not earlier than August 1, 2020. (RBK in Russian)
  • Update as of July 13, 2020: Negotiations between Russian authorities and other countries on the opening of international air travel will start on July 15 (Interfax)
  • Update as of July 24, 2020: Starting from August 1, 2020 air links between Moscow and London, Ankara, Stambul and Zanzibar will be open. (RBK)
  • Update as of September 3, 2020: Russia resumes international flights with Egypt, UAE and Maldives (Government decree).
  • Update as of September 12, 2020: Entry restrictions have been removed for Abkhazia (August 01, 2020) and South Ossetia.
  • Update as of September 20, 2020: Russia resumes flights with Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (from Sept. 21) and South Korea (from Sept .27).
  • Update as of October 14, 2020 Russia resumes flights with Serbia, Japan and Cuba (TASS).
  • Update as of November 16, 2020New government decree removes entry restrictions for Ethiopia and Seychelles.
  • Update as of November 18, 2020. New government decree allows entry from Turkmenistan according to this agreement.
  • Update as of December 21, 2020. Russia bans flights to and from UK for 1 week starting from December 22, 2020 (TASS).
  • Update as of December 30, 2020. Restrictions for travelling to and from UK are prolonged until January 12, 2021 (InterfaxFebruary 1, 2021, February 16, 2021 (January 12, 2021 Government of RussiaRBC), March 16 (February 16, 2021 Government of RussiaApril 16 (March 16, 2021 Government of RussiaJune 01, 2021 (April 15, 2021 Government of Russia).
  • Update as of January 16, 2021: Air links with Vietnam, Qatar, India and Finland will be resumed.
  • Update as of January 26, 2021New government decree removes restrictions for Finland, Vietnam, India and Quatar.
  • Update as of January 27, 2021: New Government Decree. Entry limitations between February 1 and March 1 April 1 (March 1, 2021 Government Decree),  2021 are not applied to citizens of Eurasian Economic Union who enter Russia from Belarus and Armenia. The absence of COVID-19 has to be certified using mobile app “Travelling without COVID-19”.
  • Update as of January 27, 2021: Air links with Greece and Singapore and train service with Belarus are resumed starting from February 8, 2021 (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of February 3, 2021 Air links with Armenia and Azerbaijan are resumed starting from February 15, 2021 (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of February 15, 2021 Pobeda announced flights to Milan from March 26 (airport Orio al Serio, Bergamo).
  • Update as of February 16, 2021 Travelling restrictions for citizens of Greece and Singapore have been removed (Government Decree).
  • Update as of March 25, 2021 Air links with Germany, Venezuela, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Sri Lanka will be resumed from April 1, 2021 (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of March 30, 2021 International students from countries in the list below are allowed to enter Russia. The requirements and procedure can be found on the website of Ministry of education. (Government of RussiaInstructions from the Ministry of Education (RU)) .
  • Update as of April 12, 2021 Air travelling with Turkey and Tanzania is restricted until June 1.  (April 12, 2021). For Turkey several air travelling options will remain available:
    1. Return flights for citizens of Russia;
    2. Flights for participation of the “Titan-2” in the construction of Akkuyu nuclear power plant;
    3. Two flights per week (Moscow-Istambul and Istambul-Moscow).
  • Update as of April 14, 2021 Changes in the government decree 635-р:
    Foreigners from the countries listed in the decree (both citizens and legal residents from third countries) can enter Russia not only from their home country but also from any other countries from that list.
  • Update as of May 14, 2021 Air links with Iceland, Malta, Mexico, Portugal and Saudi Arabia are resumed (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of May 31, 2021 Temporary restrictions on air travelling with UK have been removed, flights to and from London are resumed. Air links with Austria, Albania, Hungary, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Morocco and Croatia are resumed as well (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of June 18, 2021 Air links with Turkey will be resumed on June 22 (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of June 19, 2021 Travelling restrictions for legal residents of Austria, Hungary, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Morocco, Croatia have been removed.
  • Update as of June 30, 2021 New Government decree has been issued. Travelling restrictions have been lifted for Belgium, Bulgaria, Jordan, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, China, Lichtenstein, North Macedonia and the USA.
  • Update as of July 14, 2021 Air links with France and Czech Republic are resumed (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of July 19, 2021 Temporary restrictions on air travelling with Tanzania are prolonged until August 17, 2021 (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of July 23, 2021 Flights to Bahrain, Dominican Republic and Moldova are resumed (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of August 17, 2021 Restrictions on air travelling with Tanzania are prolonged until September 2, 2021 (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of September 2, 2021 Restrictions on air travelling with Tanzania are prolonged until October 1, 2021 (Federal Air Transport Agency).
  • Update as of September 4, 2021 Mandatory self-isolation for those who arrive from UK is cancelled (Decree N 22 from 01.09.2021). New rules:
    1. Russian citizens have to pass PCR test and upload the results (or notify about vaccination/recovery) using the official government website “Gosuslugi” not longer than 4 days after arrival.
    2. Foreign citizens have to provide negative PCR test results in either Russian or English. The test has to be performed not earlier than 72 hours before arrival.
    3. Everyone who arrives from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldavia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan has to provide PCR-test results through official mobile app “Travelling without COVID-19” (App StoreGoogle Play).
    4. All foreign citizens who arrive to work in Russia have to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival.
  • Update as of September 10, 2021 From September 21 all restrictions on air links with Belarus are removed (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of September 13, 2021 Air links with Spain, Iraq, Kenya and Slovakia are resumed from September 21 (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of September 22, 2021 From October 5 flights to Djibouti, Peru, South Africa, New Zealand and Denmark will be resumed (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of October 14, 2021 From November 9 flights to Austria, Switzerland, Finland, UAE, the Netherlands, Bahamas, Iran, Norway, Oman, Slovenia, Tunisia, Sweden and Thailand will be resumed. (Government of RussiaGovernment decree).
  • Update as of November 16, 2021 From December 1, 2021 flights to Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, Mongolia and Costa Rica are resumed. Limitations for air travelling to Cuba, Quatar and Mexico are lifted (Government of Russia).
  • Update as of November 17, 2021 A new decree providing for new requirements for arrival by train from Finland was adopted on November 17, 2021:
    1. Foreign nationals and stateless persons must provide a document certifying that their COVID test is negative (PCR tests must be taken no earlier than 3 days before entry).
    2. Russian nationals:
      1. Must complete a passenger questionnaire on State Services portal when they purchase their ticket;
      2. Must take a PCR test for COVID within 3 days of arrival in the Russian Federation (except for those vaccinated with a vaccine approved in the Russian Federation (up to 12 months), or those who have had COVID (6 months)). Self-isolation must be observed until passengers get their PCR test results;
      3. Provide information on PCR test results on State Services portal within 4 days of the date of arrival;
    3. Passengers’ body temperature will be measured without contact upon boarding;
    4. Personal protective equipment must be used throughout the entire journey.
  • Update as of November 26, 2021 Air traffic with Tanzania has been suspended until February 1, 2022. Entry South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Eswatini, Tanzania and Hong Kong is restricted from November 28. This ban applies to people residing permanently and temporarily in these countries and foreign nationals who have been in these countries for the last 10 days. Upon entry from these countries, Russian nationals will take an express screening test (Russian Government RU).
  • Update as of November 30, 2021 PCR tests are now valid for 48 hours in Russia (they used to be valid for 72 hours) (TASS RU).
  • Update as of December 8, 2021 orders issued by the Chief Sanitary Doctor became effective (Order (pdf), Order (pdf), Order (pdf), Order (pdf)). Changes that have become effective:
    1. People arriving in the Russian Federation from Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Eswatini, South Africa, and Hong Kong (except for crew members of aircraft and ships) must self-isolate for 14 days from the date of arrival and do a PCR test twice: within 2 days of arrival and on the 10th, 11th, or 12th day of arrival;
    2. A negative PCR test is valid for 48 hours from the date of delivery;
    3. Upon entry into the Russian, foreign nationals and stateless persons must provide a negative PCR test done no earlier than 2 calendar days before arriving in the Russian Federation.
  • Update as of December 13, 2021. Russian nationals inoculated with foreign vaccines will be able to receive a QR code valid for 6 months provided they have antibodies (TASS).
  • Update as of December 14, 2021. Amendments to Decree 635-r became effective on December 2. Entry is now allowed from Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mongolia. Item 2 of the list of categories of citizens allowed to enter the Russian Federation was amended by adding sub-item 39 “citizens of the Republic of Finland traveling to the Russian Federation by passenger train from the Republic of Finland”. A new amendment prohibiting entry from South Africa and Tanzania was adopted on December 10. Entry permits are not valid (Item 2), and invitations for entry, authorizations for hiring foreign nationals, work permits, and any types of visas are not issued for those entering from the countries listed in Appendix 3 to Decree 635-r. As of December 14, 2021, the list in Appendix 3 includes Botswana, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Eswatini, South Africa.
  • Update as of December 28, 2021 Restrictions on travelling to Kenya are resumed (Government decree).
  • Update as of February 28, 2022 EU and Russia interrupt all air links (АТОР).
  • Update as of March 1, 2022 Russia resumes air links with China and Indonesia from March 14, 2022 (Association of Russian tourism operators).
  • Update as of March 11, 2022 Restrictions on air links have been lifted for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Iran. (Accociaiton of tour operators).