All citizens from foreign countries are required to have entry visas for traveling to the Russian Federation. The Russian Federation visa is a vital document that permits your stay in Russia for a certain time period. On the visa itself, there will be lists of entry/exit dates, your vital details, details of your passport and little bit of information about the inviting party. You have to remember that the Russian visa is an exit permit just as it is an entry permit.
The Russian passport is deemed to be 48th in terms of “ranking of travel freedom” as per the Henley Passport Index. The different types of visa requirements for Russian citizens are administrative entry restrictions for the passport holders of Russia set by the state authorities. The Russian passport ranks 48th as Russian citizens enjoy both visa on arrival and visa-free entry to more than 120 countries as well as territories.
Before planning a trip abroad, citizens of Russia need to know everything about the visa requirements for passport holders of Russia and also verify that their passport has a validity of six months and has at least two blank pages. Visa rules for Russian passport holders usually differ depending on the destination or the country which the traveler wants to visit, the reason of the trip and the duration of the stay.
It might also be necessary to get an embassy visa, an authorized electronic travel visa or a visa-on-arrival to travel to any foreign country. There are autonomous and dependent territories for which visas may not be needed, but you’ll only need a special permit. Now, if you are you wondering what countries can Russian citizens travel to without a visa, we will give you all details.
The majority of the territories which exempt the citizens of Russian from needing a visa, allow travelers from Russia to visit for a very short timespan from 14 days to six months without the requirement of obtaining an embassy visa or electronic visa. In case the reason for a visit is anything apart from tourism, transit and business, it is usually imperative that you get a visa to travel to such a destination. Nevertheless for the other visa-free countries Russian citizens may need to obtain an ETA (electronic travel authorization) before arriving to that destination.
Russian Tourist Visa
If you are traveling TO Russia, the below documents have to be submitted to the Russian Embassy or Consulate to get a Tourist Visa for entering Russia.
- An original passport with at least two blank pages (the passport has to be valid for nearly six months after the departure date from Russia).
- Two copies of a Russia visa application form, which is completely filled out and signed.
- Two passport-sized photos that are signed at the back side.
- If you’re a cruise passenger or belong to a tour group, you will need a letter from the tour company or cruise line. This will also includes a copy of the confirmation from the Russian travel company that shows the confirmation number and reference number for the visa.
Russian Private Visa (Homestay Visa)
The following are the documents need to be submitted to the Russian Embassy to get a private visa to enter Russia.
- Your original passport with two blank pages (the passport should be valid for six months post the intended departure date from Russia)
- Two passport-size photos signed on the back side
- Two copies of a Russian visa application form, filled out completely and signed
- Visa entitlement certificate that must be from the local OVIR in Russia.
Russian Transit Visa
If you are just passing through Russia, the following documents need to be given to the Russian Embassy to get a transit visa to enter Russia.
- The original passport with a minimum of 2 blank pages (the passport has to be valid for a minimum of 6 months post the departure date from Russia).
- Two copies of the Russian visa application form, filled out completely and signed
- Two passport-sized photos signed at the back side
- Visa to the destination country
- Tickets for the entire trip
Visa countries for the passport holders of Russia in 2021
Currently, it is necessary that citizens of Russia need a visa to travel to 170 nations all over the world, either by online visa through electronic application or visa on arrival or at the embassy of the destination country. There are a total of 140 countries for which it is vital to get a visa before departing Russia through your nearest embassy. There are around 30 countries that have visa on arrival option for the passport holders of Russia. In some of the countries, an eVisa system is also available.
Therefore, if you’re all set to travel to a foreign country and you’re a citizen of Russia, you should take into account all the facts mentioned above.
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