Russia offers a unified e-visa system for citizens of 64 countries, allowing 30-day stays with 120-day validity since August 2025. The country has no dedicated digital nomad visa, but remote workers typically use tourist e-visas for short stays or work visas through the Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) program for long-term residence. Many CIS and Latin American countries enjoy visa-free access. Since June 2025, visa-free travelers must register via the RuID app (currently voluntary). Russia and Belarus share a common visa regime since 2025.
6
Visa Types
60
Nationalities visa-free
🪪Your Passport:
Visa requirements vary by nationality
🎫 Available Visa Types
⭐Recommended for Digital Nomads
Tourist
Unified Electronic Visa (e-Visa)
Single-entry electronic visa available to citizens of 64 countries for tourism, business, or private visits. Valid for 120 days with 30-day maximum stay. No invitation letter or hotel booking required.
30 days
Duration
$52
— fee
+$35 additional
✅ Key Benefits
✓No invitation letter required
✓No hotel booking confirmation needed
✓Quick 4-day processing time
✓Freedom of movement throughout Russia (except restricted areas)
✓Valid for tourism, business, or private visits
✓Can be used to enter both Russia and Belarus since 2025
📋 Requirements (5)
•Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond planned departure
•Digital passport photo (JPEG format, recent, white background)
•Digital scan of passport data page (JPEG format)
•Valid medical insurance with EUR 30,000 minimum coverage
•Citizenship of one of 64 eligible countries
📝 Application Process
✓ Online Application⏱ 4 calendar days maximum
1Create account on evisa.kdmid.ru or download the MFA mobile app
2Fill out electronic application form in Russian or English
3Upload digital passport photo and passport scan
4Pay the $52 fee online (Visa/Mastercard accepted)
5Receive e-visa notification with QR code within 4 calendar days
•Save both digital and printed copies of your e-visa notification
•Verify your entry point accepts e-visas at evisa.kdmid.ru
•Purchase medical insurance from Russian providers like So Easy or Solidarity
⭐Recommended for Digital Nomads
Work
Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) Work Visa
Premium work visa for foreign professionals earning at least 750,000 RUB per quarter (approx. USD 8,000/month). Issued for up to 3 years with simplified procedures, tax benefits (13% from day one), and family visa options.
365 days
Duration
RUB 8,200
— fee
+RUB 35,000 additional
💰 Income Requirement
Minimum $750,000/per_quarter
Alternative: Lower salary thresholds apply for researchers, educators at state universities, and medical researchers. Standard threshold is 750,000 RUB per quarter (2,500,000 RUB annually, effective March 2024).
✅ Key Benefits
✓Fast-track processing (14-20 days)
✓No quota restrictions
✓Work permit valid for up to 3 years
✓Flat 13% income tax rate from day one (not 30%)
✓No Russian language exam required
✓Family members can obtain dependent visas with work rights
✓Can apply for residence permit
✓Employer provides mandatory health insurance
✓90-day registration exemption for HQS and family
✓Can work in multiple regions with single permit
📋 Requirements (5)
•Valid passport (minimum 3.5 years validity for 3-year visa)
•Signed employment contract with Russian legal entity
•Proof of professional qualifications (may require education documents)
•Medical insurance policy provided by employer
•Work permit issued by Russian migration authorities
📝 Application Process
Embassy Required⏱ 14-20 working days for work permit, plus visa processing time
1Employer registers with Federal Migration Service to hire foreign HQS
2Employer applies for HQS work permit (14-20 working days)
3Employer obtains work visa invitation
4Employee applies for work visa at Russian consulate abroad
5Enter Russia and undergo medical examination and fingerprinting
Process: Work permit and visa can be extended for additional 3-year periods without leaving Russia. Apply 30 days before expiration through employer.
Renewal: Renewable indefinitely as long as employment continues and salary requirements are met. Each renewal is for up to 3 years.
💡 Pro Tips
•Negotiate salary above minimum threshold for security
•Ensure employer has experience with HQS hiring
•Get employment contract reviewed before signing
•Register family members for dependent visas
•Keep all documents organized for quarterly reporting
Tourist Visa (Embassy)
TouristPopular
Traditional paper visa for tourism requiring invitation letter (tourist voucher) from registered Russian travel agency. Available to all nationalities. US citizens can obtain 3-year multiple entry visas.
30d
Duration
$180
— fee
+$285 additional
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱10 calendar days (standard), 3 business days (expedited)
🔄No extension
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
USDUSD
Required
Consular fee (single entry, standard processing)Fees vary by nationality and processing speed
Expedited processing (3 business days)Additional rush fee varies by consulate
$250—
Medical insurance (30 days)Mandatory, EUR 30,000 minimum coverage
$35—
Required Total
$180—
+ Additional (estimated)
$285—
Estimated Total
$465—
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.
📋 Requirements
•Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond visa expiry with 2 blank pages
•Completed visa application form (visa.kdmid.ru)
•Recent passport-size photo (3.5x4.5cm, white background)
•Tourist invitation (voucher and confirmation) from Russian travel agency
•Medical insurance with EUR 30,000 minimum coverage
•Proof of accommodation booking
📝 Application Steps
1Obtain tourist invitation/voucher from registered Russian travel agency
2Complete online application form at visa.kdmid.ru and print
3Purchase valid medical insurance
4Book appointment at Russian consulate or visa center
5Submit documents and pay consular fee
6Collect passport with visa (10 calendar days standard processing)
⚠️ Restrictions
•Requires invitation letter from Russian travel agency
•Must apply in person or by mail at consulate/visa center
•Cannot work on tourist visa
•Standard single entry limited to 30 days
💡 Tips
•US citizens should always request 3-year multiple entry visa
•Purchase invitation letter online from agencies like iVisa or Russian tour operators
•Apply well in advance during peak tourist season
•Keep copies of all documents and invitation
•Register with hotel or host within 7 working days of arrival
Business Visa
businessPopular
For business meetings, negotiations, conferences, and commercial activities. Requires invitation from Russian company or government authority. Available as single, double, or multiple entry for up to 1 year.
90d
Duration
$350
— fee
+$150 additional
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱10-20 calendar days
🔄No extension
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
USDUSD
Required
Consular fee (multiple entry, 1 year)Single entry fees are lower, varies by nationality
$300—
Business invitation (Telex or direct letter)From inviting Russian company
$50—
Additional (estimated)
Medical insurance (1 year)EUR 30,000 minimum coverage required
$150—
Required Total
$350—
+ Additional (estimated)
$150—
Estimated Total
$500—
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.
📋 Requirements
•Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond visa expiry with 2 blank pages
•Completed visa application form
•Recent passport-size photo
•Business invitation letter from Russian company (Telex number or original letter)
•Cover letter from employer explaining purpose of visit
•Medical insurance with EUR 30,000 minimum coverage
📝 Application Steps
1Obtain business invitation from Russian partner company or organization
2Complete visa application form online at visa.kdmid.ru
3Prepare cover letter from your employer
4Book appointment at Russian consulate or visa center
•Ensure inviting company is properly registered with migration authorities
•Keep invitation documents with you during stay
•The inviting company should handle your registration
Standard Work Visa
Work
Work visa for foreign employees who do not meet HQS salary threshold. Requires employer to obtain quota allocation and work permit. Subject to 30% income tax for first 183 days.
365d
Duration
RUB 13,200
— fee
+RUB 5,000 additional
📍Apply: Embassy
⏱3-4 months total process
🔄Extendable +365d
View full details
💰 Cost Breakdown
RUBUSD
Required
Work permit state feePaid by employer
RUB 4,200—
Work visa feeConsular fee
RUB 4,000—
Medical examinationIncluding HIV, drugs, infectious diseases
RUB 5,000—
Additional (estimated)
Russian language/history/law examRequired for standard work permit
RUB 5,000—
Required Total
RUB 13,200—
+ Additional (estimated)
RUB 5,000—
Estimated Total
RUB 18,200—
💡 Costs may vary. Additional costs are estimates and may not all apply to your situation. Always verify current fees with official sources.
No, Russia does not offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. Remote workers typically use the unified e-visa (30 days, available to 64 nationalities) or traditional tourist visa for short stays. For longer-term stays, the Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) work visa is an option for professionals earning at least 750,000 RUB per quarter (approximately USD 8,000/month). Working remotely for foreign clients while on a tourist visa is technically not permitted, but enforcement is minimal for those not earning income from Russian sources.
What is the unified e-visa and who can apply?
The unified e-visa is an electronic visa available to citizens of 64 countries, including most of Europe, China, India, Japan, and Turkey. Since August 2025, it allows a 30-day stay within a 120-day validity period (increased from 16 days within 60 days). It costs $52 (children under 6 are exempt), takes up to 4 calendar days to process, and requires no invitation letter or hotel booking. Apply online at evisa.kdmid.ru. Note: US, UK, Canada, and Australia citizens are NOT eligible for e-visa and must apply for traditional visas at embassies.
What changed for visa-free travelers in 2025?
Several major changes took effect in 2025: (1) The 90-day stay limit is now per calendar year instead of per 180-day period - you cannot reset by leaving and re-entering; (2) The RuID app was introduced for visa-free travelers to pre-register before arrival (currently voluntary as of late 2025); (3) Biometric data collection is now standard at borders; (4) Russia and Belarus now share a common visa regime - you can visit both countries with the same visa. These changes primarily affect citizens of CIS, Latin American, and other visa-free countries.
How does migration registration work in Russia?
All foreigners staying more than 7 working days must complete migration registration at their place of stay. Hotels and guesthouses register guests automatically within 1 business day. For private accommodation, the property owner must submit registration at a Multifunctional Center (MFC) or post office. EAEU citizens (Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) have 30 days before registration is required; Belarus citizens have 90 days; Tajikistan and Uzbekistan citizens have 15 days. Failure to register can result in fines of 5,000-7,000 RUB and potential deportation for repeat violations.
Can I open a bank account in Russia as a foreigner?
Yes, foreigners can open bank accounts in Russia with a valid passport, visa (longer than tourist preferred), and proof of address. Due to international sanctions, Visa and Mastercard no longer work in Russia - you will need a Russian MIR card for all domestic payments. Popular banks for foreigners include Tinkoff (online, English app, card delivery), Sberbank (largest network, instant cards available), and Alfa-Bank (same-day issuance at branches). Note: Consider using non-sanctioned banks if you need to maintain relationships with Western financial institutions.
What are the requirements for the Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) work visa?
The HQS visa is Russias premium work permit for foreign professionals. Requirements include: (1) Minimum salary of 750,000 RUB per quarter (approximately 2,500,000 RUB annually); (2) Employment contract with a Russian legal entity; (3) Employer must be registered to hire foreign HQS workers. Benefits include: 3-year visa validity, 13% flat income tax from day one (vs 30% for regular workers), no Russian language exam, family visas with work rights, 90-day registration exemption, and path to residence permit. Processing takes 14-20 working days.
Is health insurance mandatory for visiting Russia?
Yes, medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage is mandatory for all visa holders (e-visa and traditional). The insurance must be valid throughout Russian territory and cover the entire stay period, including emergency medical care, hospitalization, repatriation, and emergency evacuation. For visa-free travelers, insurance is strongly recommended but not legally required. Many Western insurance companies no longer cover Russia due to sanctions - purchase from Russian providers like So Easy Travel Insurance, Solidarity, AlfaStrakhovanie, or Sovcombank Insurance (approximately EUR 1-2 per day).
Can I travel between Russia and Belarus with one visa?
Yes, since 2025, Russia and Belarus share a common visa regime. A valid Russian visa allows you to enter, exit, and stay in Belarus, and vice versa. You can travel between the countries by land (road or train) or by air. However, this only applies to regular visas - Belarusian e-visas are NOT valid for entering Russia. Land crossing between Russia and Belarus is permitted only at 6 designated international border crossing points. Note that each countrys stay limits and registration requirements still apply independently.
What is the cost of living in Russia for remote workers?
Russia offers affordable living for digital nomads, especially compared to Western Europe. Monthly costs in Moscow: apartment rental $650-1,000 (city center), coworking space $100-200, food $300-400, transport $25-30 (monthly metro pass). Total: approximately $1,200-1,800/month. St. Petersburg is 20-30% cheaper; smaller cities like Kazan, Novosibirsk, or Yekaterinburg can be 40-50% cheaper than Moscow. Internet is fast and inexpensive (500 Mbps for about $10/month). Note: Winter heating costs are typically included in rent.
How do I apply for a Russian visa if I am from the US, UK, Canada, or Australia?
Citizens of these countries are NOT eligible for the e-visa and must apply for traditional visas at Russian embassies or consulates. Requirements include: (1) Tourist invitation/voucher from a registered Russian travel agency (available online for $20-30); (2) Completed application form at visa.kdmid.ru; (3) Passport valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages; (4) Recent passport photo; (5) Medical insurance with EUR 30,000 coverage. US citizens can apply for a 3-year multiple entry visa with up to 6 months per visit. Processing takes 10-20 calendar days. Note: Due to diplomatic restrictions, US citizens may need to apply at Russian consulates in third countries.
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Important Disclaimer
Visa requirements can change frequently. This information is provided for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the official embassy or immigration authorities before making travel plans. Last updated: December 1, 2025