page_title: Visa history of Russia
section_title: General Rules
hierarchical_section_title: Visa history of Russia / Russian Federation / General Rules
caption_attribution_description: English: Visa policy of Russia for diplomatic and service category passport holders&#160; Russia including Crimea&#160; Visa free access for diplomatic and service category passports&#160; Visa free access for diplomatic passports
context_page_description: The visa history of Russia deals with the requirements, in different historical epochs, that a foreign national had to meet in order to obtain a visa or entry permit, to enter and stay in the country.
context_section_description: The law "On the legal status of foreign citizens in the USSR" was adopted by the Russian Federation. The law took effect 1 January 1993.
  Chapter III of the law, "entry into the USSR and exit from the USSR Foreign citizens", was replaced by Federal Law No.114-FZ 1996, "On the Order of Exit from the Russian Federation", which itself was repealed with the adoption of Federal Law 115-FZ on 25 Jul 2002, "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation".
  The laws establish that, as a general rule, all foreign citizens and stateless persons need visas for entry and exit from the territory of Russia and the period of temporary stay is 90 days within a 180-day period. It also establishes a number of exceptions for certain groups of travelers.
  The basis of the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons are secured primarily by the Constitution of the Russian Federation 1993, articles 62 and 63.
  According to the Russian Constitution, international treaties of Russia override domestic legislation. Russia has concluded a number of bilateral or multilateral treaties on visa abolishment or simplification and is seeking to negotiate new such treaties. 
  The visa policy of Russia is based on the principle of reciprocity.
  Crimea
  In April 2014, Crimea's tourism minister proposed a visa-free regime for foreign tourists staying at Crimean resorts, for up to 12 days, and a 72-hour visa-free stay for cruise passengers. Visa-free access for Chinese citizens was proposed in June 2014. Visa-free entrance to Sevastopol began from September 2015.  Other parts of the proposals have been not realized.
  Visa-free travel
  The citizens of 45 countries and territories are eligible to visit Russia with a valid passport, without obtaining a visa in advance. These rules generally apply to holders of ordinary passports; rules for holders of diplomatic passports and other travel documents may differ.
  From 2014, citizens of the countries—except Belarus, who have the right to a visa-free entry to Russia—must not stay longer than 90 days within any 180 day period. Resetting the allotted period by leaving and re-entering the country is no longer allowed.
  Visa-free 72-hour transit
  In September 2013, the president of Russia sent to parliament a bill introducing 72-hour visa-free transit. A list of airports and a list of countries whose citizens would be able to use visa-free transit for tourist purposes, was to be approved by the Government of the Russian Federation after ratification. In 2014, the parliament had suspended ratification of the bill for an indefinite term.
  72-hour stay for Kaliningrad visit
  From 1 February 2002, citizens of Schengen states, the United Kingdom, and Japan might visit the Kaliningrad region as tourists and obtain a 72-hour visa at the border check points of Bagrationovsk, Mamonovo, and Khrabrovo Airport, if travel is arranged through an approved travel agency.
  The Russian Government was planning to cancel this service in 2015, but after appeals by officials of the Kaliningrad region, and the MFA of Russia, the service was extended through 2015. Addressing parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reported on extension of the service until 2016. The service was cancelled from 1 January 2017.
  E-visa to visit certain regions of the Far East
  In 2015, Vladivostok again received, 106 years after it was cancelled, the status of "porto franco" (free port) by Federal Law №212-FZ, "On the free port of Vladivostok", signed by the President of the Russian Federation on 13 July 2015 and taking effect 12 October 2015.
  A simplified visa scheme was supposed to be made effective on July 1, 2016, but was postponed due to the lack of regulations passed by the State Duma.
  On 29 December 2016 the law was submitted for consideration to Parliament.
  Among other simplifications of government procedures, a visa-free regime was to be implemented, but a draft decree wasn't agreed to by government departments.
  Starting August 2017, citizens of the following 18 countries can get e-visa to visit to regions in the Russian Far East.
  Conditi
caption: Visa policy of Russia for holders of diplomatic and service category passports   Russia  The disputed Crimean Peninsula under visa policy of Russia  Visa-free for holders of diplomatic and service category passports  Visa-free for holders of diplomatic passports
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