page_title: Visa history of Russia
section_title: 1860-1917
hierarchical_section_title: Visa history of Russia / Russian Empire / 1860-1917
caption_attribution_description: English: A w:travel visa, issued by w:Russian Empire to a British national, w:Sir John Pollock, 4th Baronet, in 1916.
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: In 1860, reforms in Russia and expansion of international cooperation led to legislation relaxing restrictions on the rights of foreigners that had existed before 1860. Alexander II signed the decree "On the rights of foreigners residing in Russia", which ordered that foreigners staying in Russia for trade, agriculture, and industry were guaranteed such rights as were enjoyed by citizens of Russia.
  Under a decree of 1894, foreigners visiting Russia were to be given special passports, which were issued at Russian diplomatic missions and consulates, or to have their foreign passports confirmed there, by official seal.
  In 1903, a charter regarding passports specified that foreigners arriving in Russia would receive their entry passport for a period of one year with the place of residence specified. Foreigners living in large cities were required to hand over their passports to a police office. From there passports, after being checked, were sent to special boards as before. 
  Before leaving the country, it was, again, necessary to wait until the police office had checked the holder's indebtedness; and after coordination with the board of foreign affairs, the exit visa was given. Passports of those who would travel by sea or were using courts in Russian ports were registered with the Admiralty board.
  The regulations were numerous, detailed, and systematic. Since a significant number of foreigners lived in Russia in the late 19th century (in 1897 there were 605,500 foreign nationals - 0.5% of the population), the question of their legal status was of great political as well as economic significance.
  From the middle of 1914 till 1917 - there was a correction of the legal status of foreigners under the conditions of World War I, defined by a number of decrees issued during this period, especially noteworthy being the Decree "About Rules by Which Russia Will Be Guided during War of 1914" of 28 June 1914. These decrees limited the rights of all foreigners and practically deprived of all rights those foreign citizens of states hostile to Russia during war.
caption: Russian visa issued in 1916
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