Yes, it is possible to come to Russia. In this post we will explain to you possibilities and how to do the necessary steps to get to Russia.
About Safety
Although there are a lot of governments that advice not to visit Russia as it would not be safe, this is not completely true. Visiting Russia is possible, and most of all, the biggest part of Russia is safe to travel. You better don’t visit some regions, like the border between Russia and Ukraine but a region like Altai Republic is absolutely safe. In general the attitude of Russian people didn’t change towards foreigners. They are still very interested in where you are from, why you visit their country and what places you want to see.
Getting a visa
At this moment you can apply for a business or tourist visa in your country, Russia is still granting business, tourist and privates visa’s to foreigners. You need a few documents of course for that. Your passport, a health insurance declaration, an application form with photo’s (you can fill it in here) and an invitation-letter from an official tour-operator like us. Since end of last year there are some changes in the visa’s, but we will write another post about that. If you have any questions about it, just contact us.
Travel to Russia
The next question is, how to get there. Of course, due to the sanctions there are some issues that you should be aware of. From most countries you can’t simply book a direct flight as it used to be. But there are some possibilities for you. Well known routes are flying via Turkey (Istanbul), Dubai, Kazakhstan and Serbia or via Finland (Helsinki) and then continue to cross the border between Finland and Russia by bus or taxi to go to St. Petersburg. Another route is via Gdansk (Poland) and then cross the border between Poland and Russia by bus/taxi to go to Kaliningrad. From Kaliningrad there are many domestic flights.
Maybe you noticed that some routes fly to a place outside Russia to continue by bus/taxi, that is because it is not easy to book a flight to Russia or a domestic flight inside Russia directly. If you book a trip with us, we can assist you in purchasing the tickets necessary to come to us.
Travel in Russia
First of all, you can’t use your foreign bank or credit-card, so you have to bring cash money to exchange that in a bank to rubbles. The maximum amount to bring into Russia per person is 10.000 dollars. Have a look which bank has the best rates because between banks there can be a big difference.
Before it was easy to use sites like booking.com or Airbnb.com to book accommodation. This is not possible anymore at the moment. But, as with many things, Russians found substitutes and moved to other sites like ostrovok.ru. It is easy to book and most accommodations you can pay when you arrive. Also many accommodations have free cancellation policies.
Sim-card
To save you some (actually it can be a lot) of money it is recommended to buy a Russian sim-card for your phone. If you stay in a hotel your whole trip, maybe you can use the Wifi there, but when you move around a lot it is easier to have your own sim-card. For a small amount of money you can buy it in a shop and use it for the time you are in Russia. Please be aware that depending on where you go, the preferent provider can be different as they are not available everywhere. Again, if you are travelling with us, we can organize this before your arrival and you don’t even have to go to the shop, just insert the sim-card and start using it.
Conclusion
So what does all this mean, well, it is very well possible to come to Russia and to have a great trip, or visit family and friends. There are some things to pay attention to but with some effort they are easily to overcome. As usual we can assist with all the necessary things when you book with us.
See you soon!
FAQs
Is it safe to travel to Russia as an American in 2023? ›
Do not travel to Russia due to the unpredictable consequences of the unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the potential for harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials, the arbitrary enforcement of local law, limited flights ...
Is there a tourist visa for Russia 2023? ›Beginning March 6, 2023, only nationals of the following 19 countries will be able to obtain a tourist visa valid for six months based on a booking confirmation from a hotel or other accommodation facility in Russia: Bahrain, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, North Korea ...
Is it possible to travel to Russia now? ›Russia - Level 4: Do Not Travel.
Is it possible to travel from Russia to us? ›Russian citizens who wish to travel to the US for business or tourism purposes must apply for a US B1/B2 Visa. While the application process cannot be 100% online, iVisa can help you obtain the confirmation page you are required to have for your interview at the embassy, and they can do that offline or online.
How long does it take to get a Russian tourist visa? ›The average processing time for a Russia Visa is 10 days.
However, the processing can take from 7 to 20 working days. Those in a hurry can apply for expedited processing, which takes three working days. Applicants that want to benefit from the expedited visa application processing will need to pay a higher fee.
To enter Russia for any purpose, a U.S. citizen must possess a valid U.S. passport and a bona fide visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. It is impossible to obtain an entry visa upon arrival, so travelers must apply for their visas well in advance.
Is Russia issuing tourist visas to US citizens? ›Single or double-entry tourist visas are issued for up to 30 days. The dates are indicated in your voucher. We recommend that US citizens apply for 3-year multiple-entry tourist visas regardless of the dates, number of entries and period of stay indicated in the tourist voucher.
Is Russia issuing visas to US citizens? ›If you are planning to travel to Russia for tourism purposes, you can get your invitation from a travel agency or a hotel. Complete the Russian visa online application form. The application form for a Russia visa for US citizens is available at kdmid.ru.
How much is a visa to Russia? ›The Russian tourist visa costs $160.00 which does not include the administrative fees or letter of invitation letter fee. Please Note: There may be cheaper Russia Tourist visas available depending on your nationality. Enter your nationality into the visa checker to see all available visa types.
How long does it take to get Russian visa for Americans? ›After submitting your visa application, you will get your Russian visa within 3 to 14 days (depending on the fee you pay). Consular Fees: You will need to pay the consular fee and the visa processing fee, which depend on the type of visa, the country where you apply, and your citizenship.
How much is a 3 year Russian visa? ›
Sample of tourist 3 Year Russian Visa Invitation
Get it simply – fill out the form, pay 49.99 USD and you will get your invitation for obtaining visa to Russia for 3 years with multiple entries. Letter can be tourist or business, 99% of USA citizens prefer a tourist letter (easier to apply).
An invitation for a tourist or business visa online can be arranged in 5 minutes, while a private or work visa invitation will take 30 to 50 days, respectively, to process. Learn how to issue various types of visa invitations.
How much is Russian visa for Americans? ›Group 1. Countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine. Citizens of the countries of the CIS (the Commonwealth of Independent States) are permitted to stay in the Russian Federation for up to 90 days without a visa.
What countries can enter Russia? ›- Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Laos.
- Macao (Persons holding a Macau Special Administrative Region passport)
- Mongolia.
- Montenegro.
- North Macedonia*
- Palau.
- Serbia.
UPDATE APRIL 3, 2023: The government extended the ban on the issuance of new visas and residence permits to Russian and Belarusian nationals until March 31, 2024. This ban has been in place since March 2022.
Can you still get a tourist visa for Russia? ›This visa must be obtained through a Russian diplomatic mission or by hiring a Russian travel agency. It requires applicants to submit hard copies of all supporting documents, including an invitation letter and details of their travel itinerary and booked accommodation.
Can I apply for Russian visa online? ›eVisas allow visitors to apply for their Russian visa entirely online in minutes, from anywhere in the world. Passport copies, online application form, and other documents required for the visa can be submitted online.
Can Russians seek asylum in USA? ›You can only file an application for asylum if you are physically present in the United States or at a U.S. port of entry. You must apply for asylum within one year of your arrival to the United States by filing Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.
Can Russians get US green card? ›To become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, one must obtain a Green Card . Most immigrants will do so through employment , through family sponsorship , or by being an immediate relative of a US citizen, the latter being most common among Russian immigrants.
Does the US still have Russian embassy? ›
The Embassy of Russia in Washington, D.C. (Russian: Посольство России в США) is the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation to the United States.
How to get a 3 year Russian visa? ›The Russian Federation offers U.S. nationals the opportunity to apply for a three year multiple entry visa. To be eligible for consideration, the traveler must have a passport valid for at least three and a half years beyond date of first entry into Russia with at least two blank pages.
Which country is visa free to Russia? ›Ukraine (up to 90 day in 180-days period) United Arab Emirates (up to 90 days in 180-day period) Uruguay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) Uzbekistan.
What is the success rate of visa in Russia? ›Visa applications prepared by our Visa Department boast 99.9% approval rate.
How to get 3 year tourist visa to Russia? ›- Have a valid passport. ...
- Get a visa support letter (also called voucher or invitation) ...
- Fill out the Visa Application Form. ...
- Travel insurance (optional) ...
- Take all of your documents to the Russian Visa Center (or consulate)
Once implemented in 2023, each and every traveler entering Europe without a visa will need one. The purpose of ETIAS is to enhance border security to the EU. It is designed for short-term (90 days or less) visits to the EU and will be required for entry to the EU after the projected ETIAS launch date of November 2023.
How much is a Russian tourist visa for US citizens? ›How much does the Russia Tourist Visa Cost? The Russian tourist visa costs $160.00 which does not include the administrative fees or letter of invitation letter fee.
How much does a Russian visa cost for US citizens? ›- You must have a current U.S. passport with the appropriate visa. ...
- You must obtain a valid visa for your specific purpose of travel before arriving in Russia, unless you are arriving as a cruise ship passenger (see below information for passengers of cruise ships and ferries).
- Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Laos.
- Macao (Persons holding a Macau Special Administrative Region passport)
- Mongolia.
- Montenegro.
- North Macedonia*
- Palau.
- Serbia.
What is the longest Russian tourist visa? ›
Russian Tourist Visa
Such visas are issued for a maximum of 180 days and cannot be extended. A tourist visa is the best option when you know exactly where and how long you will be staying without diverting from your planned itinerary.
Submit the invitation, the form, your passport, a passport photograph, and the processing fee (money order or cashier's check only) to the Russian Embassy. Applications are accepted anywhere from 30 to 60 days before departure (figure on two to four weeks for processing from the time your application is received).
How much is a 3 year visa to Russia? ›Sample of tourist 3 Year Russian Visa Invitation
Get it simply – fill out the form, pay 49.99 USD and you will get your invitation for obtaining visa to Russia for 3 years with multiple entries. Letter can be tourist or business, 99% of USA citizens prefer a tourist letter (easier to apply).
Beginning on January 1, 2023, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 65.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up 3 cents from the midyear increase setting the rate for the second half of 2022.
Is 2023 a good year to travel? ›International travel is expected to continue its recovery in 2023, following a stronger-than-expected performance in 2022.
What do you need to travel in 2023? ›It doesn't necessarily need to be your passport, which means you can fly domestically in the U.S. in 2023 without a valid passport for travel. If you don't have a passport, there are other acceptable forms of identification, including: A U.S. passport card. A state-issued driver's license.