Russia Visa & Health

Passport/Visa

Passports
Valid 10-year passportrequired by all.

Note
Whilst in the country, visitors must carry ID at all times. Rather than carry original documents, it is advisable to carry photocopies of passports and visas, which will facilitate replacement should either be stolen.

Visas
Required by all except the following, provided arriving from their country of origin:
(a) nationals of CIS countries (except nationals of Georgia and Turkmenistan who do require visas);
(b) nationals of Cuba for stays of up to 30 days;
(c) nationals of Mongolia, provided visiting for purposes of business and holding letter of invitation and return tickets, or traveling as tourists and holding prepaid hotel vouchers;
(d) transit passengers who are continuing their journey within 24 hours without leaving the transit area.

Types of visa and cost
Tourist, Business, Private and Transit: US$52 , if visa is processed in minimum eight working days. (Processing within three to five days costs US$103 ; next-day processing US$137 ; same-day processing US$155 ; processing within one hour US$206 ) An additional US$17 is payable for a double-entry visa. Multiple-entry: US$172 , standard six working days' processing (same-day processing costs US$258 ). Express: US$206
All French passport holders younger than 18 years pay half rate.

Note
(a) Nationals of some countries may have to pay a Consular fee in addition to the visa processing charges listed. Enquire at the Consulate or Consular section of Embassy for a list of nationals and prices. (b) Transit visas are required by all except passengers remaining in the transit zone of Moscow Sheremetievo airport for less than 24 hours.

Validity
Dependent on purpose of trip. Transit visas are valid for up to three days. Tourist visas are valid for up to one month. Private visas are valid for up to 90 days.

Application to
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information.

Application requirements
(a) Completed application form. (b) One recent passport-size photo stapled twice to upper-right corner of application form. (c) Passport valid for at least six months after visa expires, with at least two blank pages. (d) Fee, payable in cash only or postal orders for postal applications. (e) Postal applications must be accompanied by a large, pre-paid special delivery, self-addressed envelope. Tourist: (a)-(e) and, (f) Original tourist voucher (exchange order) issued by an authorized travel company stating their reference number, passenger names, dates of entry and exit, confirmation of payment, full itinerary, places to be visited, means of transportation and confirmation in Russian language. The voucher should be stamped and signed by an authorized person. (g) A standard tourist confirmation of acceptance (in the Russian language) issued by Russian tourist company or hotel accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Russia, showing tourist reference number given by Russian Foreign Minister and names of applicants, full itinerary and dates of entry/exit. Private (for visiting relations or friends): (a)-(e) and, (f) Official original letter of invitation from Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Business: (a)-(e) and, (f) An official letter of invitation from company or organization in the Russian Federation responsible for visit, certified by the local branch of Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. (g) An introductory letter from applicant’s company stating purpose of visit, itinerary, dates of entry and exit, assuming financial responsibility for the visit and stating the companies to be visited. Transit: (a)-(d) and, (e) Original and copy of confirmed air ticket to and from the Russian Federation. Multiple-entry: (a)-(e) and, (f) Original and a copy of your confirmed air ticket to and from Russia.

Note
(a) Those who are traveling in groups (standard package tours, coach tours, international competitions and cruises) should submit all documentation to the tour operator making the travel arrangements. For visits to relatives/friends in the CIS, enquire at the Consulate for details of application procedures. (b) All travelers staying in the Russian Federation for longer than three days must register their visas through their hotel or sponsor. Private visitors must register with local police on arrival. For travel to Tajikistan, your invitation should be confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan. (c) French nationals should also have their previous three months’ bank statements, medical insurance and a copy of their tickets. (d) German nationals and all other Schengen country nationals, plus holders of Israeli or Estonian passports, should have travel insurance valid in the Russian Federation. (e) USA passport holders are required to fill out a special visa application form. (f) Since February 2003, every foreign citizen is given a migration card free of charge when they cross the Russian border. They must fill in their personal data, terms, purpose of visit and prospective place of residence and present the card when applying for registration within three days of arrival. The migration cards must be handed back upon departure.

Working days required
One to 12, depending on type of visa. Postal applications take at least eight to 12 days to process. Applications for visas may not be made earlier than three months before departure. Visas should be submitted 0900-1200; visas submitted 1500-1600 will be charged at the Express Visa fee.

Exit visas
Exit visas are required by all passengers who want to leave the country and are normally issued together with the entry visa. If the exit permit has not yet been issued by the representative of the Russian Federation which issued the visa, aliens should obtain it two days prior to departure at the latest from the Intourist Service Bureau in their hotel.

Temporary residence
Enquire at Embassy.

Passport/Visa Information

Embassy of the Russian Federation in the UK
13 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QX, UK
Tel: (020) 7229 2666.
Consular section: 5 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QS, UK
Tel: (020) 7229 8027.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 (visa submission), 1400-1800.

Embassy of the Russian Federation in the USA
2650 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 298 5700.
Consular section: 2641 Tunlaw Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 939 8907.

Russian National Group in the USA
224 West 30th Street, Suite 701, New York, NY 10001.
Tel: (646) 473 2233 or (877) 221 7120 (toll-free in USA).

Because of the security situation in the North Caucasus, travelers are advised against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan and to the eastern and southern parts of Stavropol Krai that border Chechnya and Dagestan. Travelers are advised against all but essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area).
There is a high threat from terrorism in Russia, including suicide bombings in public places. Attacks have occurred most frequently in Moscow and in the North Caucasus.
Travelers should be vigilant at all times and also watch out for pickpockets and street crime, especially in large cities and in busy areas, eg railway concourses.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisaions for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: (0845) 850 2829.


Health


Food & drink
All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized. Contaminated tap water contains a high prevalence of gastrointestinal infections. The water supply in St Petersburg especially has been linked to giardiasis. Bottled water is widely available. Milk is pasteurized and dairy products are safe for consumption. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks
Dysentery is common throughout the country. Hepatitis A occurs. Widespread outbreaks of diphtheria have been reported. Consult a doctor regarding inoculation before traveling to the Russian Federation. Tick-borne typhus has been reported from east and central Siberia. Tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme disease occur in forested areas throughout the Russian Federation. Vaccination is advisable. Outbreaks of Japanese encephalitis have been reported from the southeast. Leishmaniasis can occur in the south. Outbreaks of meningitis have been reported from Volgograd.
Rabies is present and increasing. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Note
Visitors staying for more than three months must produce a certificate proving they are HIV-negative. The certification requirements are exacting and detailed; a medical examination may also be required. Foreign tests may be acceptable under certain conditions. Check details with the Embassy.

Health care
The highly developed health service provides free medical treatment for all citizens. If a traveller becomes ill during a booked tour, emergency treatment is free, with small sums to be paid for medicines and hospital treatment. If a longer stay than originally planned becomes necessary because of the illness, the visitor has to pay for all further treatment. This can be very expensive; air evacuation can cost up to £80,000. All visitors are strongly advised to have full medical cover that includes medical evacuation. It is advisable to take a supply of medicines that are likely to be required (check first that they may be imported legally). A reciprocal health care agreement is in operation between the UK and the Russian Federation, allowing citizens to receive free treatment. Private medical care can be expensive.

Note
There have been reports of outbreaks of Bird Flu in a number of regions of Russia, including Tula, Tambov, Kurgan, Chelyabinsk and Novosibirsk. As a precaution, the European Union has banned the import of live birds and feathers from Russia.
No human infections or deaths have been reported but travelers to the Russian Federation should consult their healthcare provider for travel medical advice before departure.
The risk from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low provided visitors avoid live animal markets, poultry farms and other places with close contact with domestic, caged or whild birds. Ensure poultry and egg dishes are throughly cooked.

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