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Russian Federation

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Still current at: 26 November 2009
Updated: 29 October 2009


This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary (removal of reference to CSKA Moscow v Manchester United).  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

Entry requirements

Visas
 
Visas are required to enter Russia.  During periods of high demand, for example during the summer holidays, you should apply for your visa well in advance.  If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland you should apply to Russian Federation's visa processing centre VF Services, 15-27 Gee Street, London, EC1V 3RD.el: 020 7499 1029; fax: 020 7229 3215; website:www.rusemblon.org.  If you live in Scotland, you should apply to the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh.

VF Services can normally process visas in five working days. The forms must be completed online, and can either be submitted by post or in person. . If you want to get a visa more quickly it is possible to pay extra for a next-day service.  You must have an exit visa to leave Russia.  Before you travel to Russia ensure that you are aware of the terms and conditions attached to your visa, for both entry and exit, and check that the dates and details which have been entered on your visa are correct.  Presenting documentation which contains incorrect information to immigration officials can lead to severe inconvenience and in some cases could result in refusal of entry.
 
For stays of more than three days

You must register your stay within three working days of arrival in Russia with the local branch of the Federal Migration Service.  Most major hotels will do this automatically.  If you are staying in private accommodation the owner of the property must do this for you.  You need not register a visa if your visit is for less than three days.
 
Passport validity
 
If your passport has less than six months to run, you may be refused entry to Russia.  You are advised to get a replacement passport before travelling.
 
Migration Cards
 
All foreign nationals entering Russia must fill in a migration card. The card is in two identical parts. One part will be retained by the Immigration Officer on arrival. You should keep the other part with your passport and show it, along with your passport, to the police, if they stop you for an identity check during your stay. You should hand in the second part to the Immigration Officer on your departure from Russia. You must complete a new migration card each time you enter Russia, even if you have a multiple entry visa. If you lose the second part of the card you will be fined, and your departure from the country could be delayed.
 
Travelling with children
 
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Embassy of the Russian Federation in London.
 
Parents should note that children born overseas and added to their Russian passports by Russian Embassies may now have to obtain their own passport to exit Russia.  There have been instances where a parent has renewed their own passport but the authorities have refused to add the child to it until the child's claim to Russian citizenship is properly substantiated.  Parents should check the Russian Nationality Act and contact their nearest Russian Embassy or Consulate to ensure that their child has a claim to Russian citizenship, and that they have the necessary paperwork to prove this before travelling to Russia to renew passports.

Transit through Belarus

If you intend to travel by train on popular routes such as Warsaw-Moscow or St Petersburg-Kiev you will need to obtain a transit visa for Belarus before travelling.

Dual Nationality
Under international law, the British Embassy or Consulates cannot formally intervene with the Russian authorities on behalf of dual Russian/British citizens who encounter difficulties whilst in Russia.

If you come to Russia to renew your Russian international passport, you should be aware that it may take up to four months for a new passport to be issued.  You will have to remain in Russia throughout this period.  If this happens, the British Embassy or Consulates cannot obtain an exit visa for your British passport.

Customs

You may import into the country up to 10,000 US dollars (or equivalent) without declaring it.  You may export from the country up to 3,000 US dollars without declaring it. If you export from the country currency or travellers cheques worth between 3,000 and 10,000 US dollars, it must be declared on departure.  There is a limit of the equivalent of 10,000 dollars on the amount of roubles and foreign currency that can be taken out of or brought into Russia.

If you import into the country over 10,000 US dollars or certain categories of goods, such as more costly electrical items, jewellery or antiques and valuable musical instruments, you must complete a customs declaration form (available at all ports of entry) on arrival.

If you wish to import certain sophisticated electronic items (e.g. Global Positioning System instruments), you must get an operating licence from the Russian authorities before you travel.  If you are unsure whether you should declare an item or need an operating licence you should check with the Embassy of the Russian Federation before your departure.

If you complete a declaration form you must ensure that it is stamped by a Customs official at your port of entry or it will not be valid. If you fail to complete a declaration form on arrival or to get it validated by Customs officials your foreign currency and non-declared items may be confiscated when you leave Russia and you may be fined.

There are also strict regulations governing the export from Russia of antiques, icons, medals, artwork and other items of historical significance.  This includes modern art and even posters if they are particularly rare or valuable. If you wish to export such material from Russia, you must receive approval from the Ministry of Culture.  This may be requested at the point of departure. Infringements of these regulations are treated seriously and may result in imprisonment.

See www.customs.ru for more information.

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Contacts

Russian Federation, Moscow, British Embassy

Address:

British Embassy Moscow
Smolenskaya Naberezhnaya 10
Moscow 121099
Switchboard: (7) (495) 956 7200

Telephone:


Fax:

(7) (495) 956 7201 General
(7) (495) 956 7441 Visa
(7) (495) 956 7430 Press & Public Affairs

Cultural Department/The British Council:
Library for Foreign Literature Nikoloyamskaya 1
Moscow 109189
Tel: (7) (495) 287 1800
Fax: (7) (495) 287 1801

Office hours:

GMT:
Summer: Mon-Fri: 0600-1000 / 1100-1400
Winter: Mon-Fri: 0500-0900 / 1000-1300
Local Time:
Summer: Mon-Fri: 0900-1300 / 1400-1700
Winter: Mon-Fri: 0800-1200 / 1300-1600

Website: http://ukinrussia.fco.gov.uk/en/

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