Passport Atlas

Entering Russia

Russia playbook updated 2026-09. Openness first, then how to apply and how to stay.

Openness rank

#151

Entry openness

66

Visa free

66

Visa required

71

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Country profile

Capital

Moscow

Population

146 million

Area

17,100,000 km²

Currency

Russian ruble RUB

Languages

Russian

Time zone

UTC+02:00–UTC+12:00

Foreign-born

7.6 million · 2024

Migrant share

5.3%

Ethnic groups · 2010

Russian77.7%
other10.2%
unspecified3.9%
Tatar3.7%
Ukrainian1.4%
Bashkir1.1%
Other2%

Foreign-born counts are UN international migrant stock via the World Bank (mostly 2024). Ethnic groups follow each country's published categories — most do not census by skin colour. Indicative only.

Travel notes

Plug

Type C / Type F

Mains

230 V · 50 Hz

Driving

Right

Emergency

Police 102 · Ambulance 103

Dialing code

+7

Airports

DME · SVO · LED · VKO

Highlights

Kremlin
St. Basil's Cathedral
Luzhniki Stadium
Lenin's Mausoleum
Veliky Ustyug
Ostankino Tower

Russia Passport Visa site Immigration site

How to get a visa

Unified eVisa
Visit / tourism · Often 16 days, single entry
- Apply on the MFA eVisa site; enter via listed ports.

Immigration routes

Temporary residence → residence permit
Skilled work
Quota or quota-free specialists may obtain RVP, then a residence permit.
Leads to PR：A residence permit can lead to PR or simplified citizenship.

PR & citizenship

Permanent residence permit

Time to PR：1–5 years by route

Russian, income, housing.

Naturalisation routes have changed often — check the official site. Dual nationality must be declared.

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