Russia Visa Waiver - For Citizens of What Countries?
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,909
Is there a list somewhere? I can find some links to individual agreements but no comprehensive list. Thanks
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Here is the current list, courtesy of TIMATIC:
RUSSIAN FEDERATION (RU)
WARNING: NON-COMPLIANCE WITH ENTRY OR TRANSIT REGULATIONS
MAY RESULT IN FINES FOR CARRIER VARYING FROM A MINIMUM OF
USD 1,800.- TO A MAXIMUM OF USD 3,600.- OR THE EQUIVALENT IN
LOCAL CURRENCY PER PASSENGER. PASSENGER WILL BE HELD LIABLE
FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY OF RUB 1,000.- WITH EITHER AN
INDEFINITE DELAY FOR PASSENGER AT POINT OF ENTRY OR
DEPORTATION BY SAME AIRLINE ON FIRST AVAILABLE FLIGHT.
VISA required (see note 21 below), except for:
1. nationals of Russian Fed. (see note 22 below);
2. nationals of the C.I.S. countries (see Terms &
Definitions) EXCEPT for nationals of Georgia and
Turkmenistan;
3. stay of max. 30 days: nationals of Cuba;
4. nationals of Mongolia provided coming for:
a. business purposes, holding proof thereof; or
b. touristic purposes, holding hotel vouchers; or
c. social visits, holding an invitation from a resident;
5. holders of diplomatic passports provided:
a. being nationals of Switzerland;
b. coming for a stay of max. 90 days: nationals of Korea
(Rep.), Poland and Turkey;
c. coming for a stay of max. 30 days: nationals of China
(People's Rep.);
6. nationals of Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, FYROM (Former
Yugoslav Rep. of Macedonia) provided holding:
a. normal passports, entering for business purposes and
holding an invitation letter; or
b. diplomatic passports;
7. diplomatic or official passports for a stay of max. 90
days provided being nationals of: Chile, El Salvador,
Honduras, Jamaica, Pakistan and Paraguay;
8. holders of diplomatic or service passports:
a. nationals of Turkmenistan;
b. for a stay of max. 90 days, nationals of: Albania,
Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Hungary, Korea
(Dem People's Rep.), Panama, Venezuela and Vietnam;
c. for a stay of max. 3 months: nationals of Costa Rica;
9. holders of diplomatic, official or service passports for
stay of max. 90 days:
nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Egypt, Guinea
Republic, India, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Slovak Rep.,
Thailand and Uruguay;
10.holders of diplomatic, official, service or special
passports: nationals of Iran, Romania;
11.holders of diplomatic, service or special passports for a
stay of max. 90 days: nationals of Peru;
12.holders of diplomatic, service or official passports:
nationals of Guatemala;
13.holders of diplomatic, special or official passports for
a stay of max 3 months: Ecuador;
14.nationals of Serbia & Montenegro holding:
a. diplomatic or service passports; or
b. normal passports provided holding an officially annotated
invitation, hotel/tourist voucher or stamp in passport
stating poslovno and/or prodelovno ;
15.government officials accredited to the Russian Fed.
(holding accreditation card) and their family members,
for the entire period of accreditation;
(TWOV)
16.those continuing their journey within 24 hours without
leaving the airside (international) transit area.
If continuing by a domestic flight (also including
Belarus); or if airport of arrival is different from the
airport of departure within the same Russian city (e.g.
arriving at Sheremetyevo-2 and departing from
Sheremetyevo-1 airport in Moscow): transit visa required,
as entering territory of the Russian Fed.
MERCHANT SEAMEN: must travel on duty and hold Letter of
Guarantee of shipping company (see Terms & Definitions).
1. ARRIVING BY AIR to board ship, or
ARRIVING BY SHIP to board aircraft:
visa not required if nationality of seaman is listed in
2. "Visa" 1., 2. or 3.;
2. DIRECT TRANSIT to abroad: visa not required if:
a. nationality of seaman is listed in 2. Visa 1., 2. or
3.;
b. all other nationalities if continuing to a third country
by same aircraft without leaving the airport.
CREW: same regulations as for passengers apply.
MILITARY: same regulations as for passengers apply.
ISSUE:
1. PRIOR TO ARRIVAL: by embassies/consulates of Russian
Fed. abroad. Applicants must submit an invitation from
friends, relatives or business relations, validated by
local authorities;
2. ON ARRIVAL: only at Sheremetyevo (SVO), provided prior
approval has been obtained through the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs or in the case of technical errors with
an already issued visa. FEE: varies from USD 75.- to USD
150.- depending on the circumstances.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
1.
Passengers holding tourist visas must also hold hotel
vouchers.
2. All passengers must hold an Immigrant Card which can
be obtained free of charge on board or on arrival.
3. All passengers staying longer than 3 days in the
Russian Federation must register their Immigrant Card and
visas through their hotel or sponsor.
4. Passengers visiting relatives must register with local
police upon arrival and have registration entered in
their visa. If staying in a hotel, this will be arranged
by the hotel.
5. If holding visa or listed in 2." Visa" 2.,
return/onward tickets are not required. If holding
transit visa, it is also required to hold onward tickets
and documents required for next destination.
6. All visitors are strongly recommended to have
sufficient health insurance or travel insurance that will
cover any medical expenses.
7. Nationals of C.I.S. countries (see Terms & Definitions)
have to pay tax of RUB 1.60 and all other nationals USD
1.- for each day they stay in Moscow. Tax has to be paid
upon check in at the hotel. If duration of stay is
unknown tax has to be paid upon check out.
EXIT PERMIT: Required for all passengers who want to leave
the country. If the exit permit has not yet been issued by
the representation of Russian Fed. which issued the visa,
aliens should obtain it at the latest 2 days prior to
departure, from the Intourist Service Bureau in their hotel.
NOTES:
*21Valid visas in expired passports or other expired
travel documents are not accepted.
*22Russian Fed. issues its own national passport. The
passports issued by the former U.S.S.R. will be valid
until expiry date shown in the passports.
WARNING: NON-COMPLIANCE WITH ENTRY OR TRANSIT REGULATIONS
MAY RESULT IN FINES FOR CARRIER VARYING FROM A MINIMUM OF
USD 1,800.- TO A MAXIMUM OF USD 3,600.- OR THE EQUIVALENT IN
LOCAL CURRENCY PER PASSENGER. PASSENGER WILL BE HELD LIABLE
FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY OF RUB 1,000.- WITH EITHER AN
INDEFINITE DELAY FOR PASSENGER AT POINT OF ENTRY OR
DEPORTATION BY SAME AIRLINE ON FIRST AVAILABLE FLIGHT.
VISA required (see note 21 below), except for:
1. nationals of Russian Fed. (see note 22 below);
2. nationals of the C.I.S. countries (see Terms &
Definitions) EXCEPT for nationals of Georgia and
Turkmenistan;
3. stay of max. 30 days: nationals of Cuba;
4. nationals of Mongolia provided coming for:
a. business purposes, holding proof thereof; or
b. touristic purposes, holding hotel vouchers; or
c. social visits, holding an invitation from a resident;
5. holders of diplomatic passports provided:
a. being nationals of Switzerland;
b. coming for a stay of max. 90 days: nationals of Korea
(Rep.), Poland and Turkey;
c. coming for a stay of max. 30 days: nationals of China
(People's Rep.);
6. nationals of Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, FYROM (Former
Yugoslav Rep. of Macedonia) provided holding:
a. normal passports, entering for business purposes and
holding an invitation letter; or
b. diplomatic passports;
7. diplomatic or official passports for a stay of max. 90
days provided being nationals of: Chile, El Salvador,
Honduras, Jamaica, Pakistan and Paraguay;
8. holders of diplomatic or service passports:
a. nationals of Turkmenistan;
b. for a stay of max. 90 days, nationals of: Albania,
Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Hungary, Korea
(Dem People's Rep.), Panama, Venezuela and Vietnam;
c. for a stay of max. 3 months: nationals of Costa Rica;
9. holders of diplomatic, official or service passports for
stay of max. 90 days:
nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Egypt, Guinea
Republic, India, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Slovak Rep.,
Thailand and Uruguay;
10.holders of diplomatic, official, service or special
passports: nationals of Iran, Romania;
11.holders of diplomatic, service or special passports for a
stay of max. 90 days: nationals of Peru;
12.holders of diplomatic, service or official passports:
nationals of Guatemala;
13.holders of diplomatic, special or official passports for
a stay of max 3 months: Ecuador;
14.nationals of Serbia & Montenegro holding:
a. diplomatic or service passports; or
b. normal passports provided holding an officially annotated
invitation, hotel/tourist voucher or stamp in passport
stating poslovno and/or prodelovno ;
15.government officials accredited to the Russian Fed.
(holding accreditation card) and their family members,
for the entire period of accreditation;
(TWOV)
16.those continuing their journey within 24 hours without
leaving the airside (international) transit area.
If continuing by a domestic flight (also including
Belarus); or if airport of arrival is different from the
airport of departure within the same Russian city (e.g.
arriving at Sheremetyevo-2 and departing from
Sheremetyevo-1 airport in Moscow): transit visa required,
as entering territory of the Russian Fed.
MERCHANT SEAMEN: must travel on duty and hold Letter of
Guarantee of shipping company (see Terms & Definitions).
1. ARRIVING BY AIR to board ship, or
ARRIVING BY SHIP to board aircraft:
visa not required if nationality of seaman is listed in
2. "Visa" 1., 2. or 3.;
2. DIRECT TRANSIT to abroad: visa not required if:
a. nationality of seaman is listed in 2. Visa 1., 2. or
3.;
b. all other nationalities if continuing to a third country
by same aircraft without leaving the airport.
CREW: same regulations as for passengers apply.
MILITARY: same regulations as for passengers apply.
ISSUE:
1. PRIOR TO ARRIVAL: by embassies/consulates of Russian
Fed. abroad. Applicants must submit an invitation from
friends, relatives or business relations, validated by
local authorities;
2. ON ARRIVAL: only at Sheremetyevo (SVO), provided prior
approval has been obtained through the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs or in the case of technical errors with
an already issued visa. FEE: varies from USD 75.- to USD
150.- depending on the circumstances.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
1.
Passengers holding tourist visas must also hold hotel
vouchers.
2. All passengers must hold an Immigrant Card which can
be obtained free of charge on board or on arrival.
3. All passengers staying longer than 3 days in the
Russian Federation must register their Immigrant Card and
visas through their hotel or sponsor.
4. Passengers visiting relatives must register with local
police upon arrival and have registration entered in
their visa. If staying in a hotel, this will be arranged
by the hotel.
5. If holding visa or listed in 2." Visa" 2.,
return/onward tickets are not required. If holding
transit visa, it is also required to hold onward tickets
and documents required for next destination.
6. All visitors are strongly recommended to have
sufficient health insurance or travel insurance that will
cover any medical expenses.
7. Nationals of C.I.S. countries (see Terms & Definitions)
have to pay tax of RUB 1.60 and all other nationals USD
1.- for each day they stay in Moscow. Tax has to be paid
upon check in at the hotel. If duration of stay is
unknown tax has to be paid upon check out.
EXIT PERMIT: Required for all passengers who want to leave
the country. If the exit permit has not yet been issued by
the representation of Russian Fed. which issued the visa,
aliens should obtain it at the latest 2 days prior to
departure, from the Intourist Service Bureau in their hotel.
NOTES:
*21Valid visas in expired passports or other expired
travel documents are not accepted.
*22Russian Fed. issues its own national passport. The
passports issued by the former U.S.S.R. will be valid
until expiry date shown in the passports.
#18
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 170
EXIT PERMIT: Required for all passengers who want to leave
the country. If the exit permit has not yet been issued by
the representation of Russian Fed. which issued the visa,
aliens should obtain it at the latest 2 days prior to
departure, from the Intourist Service Bureau in their hotel.
the country. If the exit permit has not yet been issued by
the representation of Russian Fed. which issued the visa,
aliens should obtain it at the latest 2 days prior to
departure, from the Intourist Service Bureau in their hotel.
#20
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: Priority Club Plat./Ambassador; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Kempinski Platinum
Posts: 388
Holders of ordinary passports from Argentina can now visit Russia visa-free for 90 days. I'm not sure when this came into effect. It's reciprocal.
I noticed this on the website of the embassy in Buenos Aires:
ACUERDO
ENTRE EL GOBIERNO DE LA FEDERACION DE RUSIA Y EL GOBIERNO DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA SOBRE VIAJES SIN VISAS DE LOS CIUDANOS DE LA FEDERACION DE RUSIA Y LOS CIUDADANOS DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA
El Gobierno de la Federación de Rusia y el Gobierno de la Republica Argentina, en adelante denominados “Las Partes”.
Guiados por el deseo de facilitar los viajes nacionales de ambos Estados y promover el desarrollo de las relaciones bilaterales.
Han acordado lo siguiente:
Articulo 1
Los Nacionales del Estado de una de las Partes, titulares de las pasaportes validos (con excepción de los pasaportes diplomáticos, oficiales y de servicio), que habiliten el cruce de la frontera, (en adelante “los pasaportes”) podrán entrar, salir, pasar el transito y permanecer en el territorio del Estado de la otra parte sin visas hasta noventa (90) dias en cada periodo de ciento ochenta dias a partir de la fecha de la primera entrada.
Los nacionales del Estado de una Parte, que tengan la intención de permanecer en el territorio del Estado de la otra Parte por más de noventa dias o realizar actividades laborales o comerciales en su territorio deberán obtener visas conformidad con la legislación del Estado de la entrega.
I noticed this on the website of the embassy in Buenos Aires:
ACUERDO
ENTRE EL GOBIERNO DE LA FEDERACION DE RUSIA Y EL GOBIERNO DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA SOBRE VIAJES SIN VISAS DE LOS CIUDANOS DE LA FEDERACION DE RUSIA Y LOS CIUDADANOS DE LA REPUBLICA ARGENTINA
El Gobierno de la Federación de Rusia y el Gobierno de la Republica Argentina, en adelante denominados “Las Partes”.
Guiados por el deseo de facilitar los viajes nacionales de ambos Estados y promover el desarrollo de las relaciones bilaterales.
Han acordado lo siguiente:
Articulo 1
Los Nacionales del Estado de una de las Partes, titulares de las pasaportes validos (con excepción de los pasaportes diplomáticos, oficiales y de servicio), que habiliten el cruce de la frontera, (en adelante “los pasaportes”) podrán entrar, salir, pasar el transito y permanecer en el territorio del Estado de la otra parte sin visas hasta noventa (90) dias en cada periodo de ciento ochenta dias a partir de la fecha de la primera entrada.
Los nacionales del Estado de una Parte, que tengan la intención de permanecer en el territorio del Estado de la otra Parte por más de noventa dias o realizar actividades laborales o comerciales en su territorio deberán obtener visas conformidad con la legislación del Estado de la entrega.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
[KVS Availability Tool 5.4.0/Diamond - TIMATIC: Visa/Entry Requirements]
Code:
22MAR10 / 1526 UTC National Argentina (AR) /Embarkation Argentina (AR) Destination Russian Federation (RU) [Visa Information - Destination] Russian Federation (RU) [Information For Normal Passports] Passport required. - Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid on arrival. Visa required, except for Nationals of Argentina for a max. stay of 90 days in any 6 months period. Additional Information: - Passengers are required to hold return/onward tickets and documents required for the next destination. - Except those holding a visa. - All passengers must hold an Immigrant Card which can be obtained free of charge on board or on arrival. In case of stay in the Russian Fed. exceeding 3 days, passengers must register their Immigrant Card and visas through their hotel or sponsor. - Passengers visiting relatives must register with local police upon arrival and have registration entered in their visa. If staying in a hotel, this will be arranged by the hotel. - All visitors are strongly recommended to have sufficient health insurance or travel insurance that will cover any medical expenses. - Valid visas in expired passports or other expired travel documents are not accepted. Warning: - Non-compliance with entry or transit regulations may result in fines for carrier [[TIDFT/RU/VI/WA/ID11194]] No vaccinations are required to enter Russian Fed. from any country. Warning: - Passengers exceeding a stay of 90 days in Russian Fed. should present an AIDS Test Certificate together with a visa application form to the consular department or embassy of the Russian Fed. CHECK [[TINEWS/N1]] - USA: NATIONALS OF GREECE
#22
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MOW
Programs: KLM Flying Dutchman forever, bmi Diamond Club (is there a theme here?), LH, BA, EK, DL nobody
Posts: 1,877
Russia has been signing these accords with a bunch of countries recently, mainly (but not only) in South America. Off the top of my head, in the last couple of years they've gone visa-free with Israel, Serbia, Hong Kong, Venezuela and Argentina. There's a visa-free accord between Russia and Brazil but it hasn't been ratified by the Brazilians yet. And they are now negotiating similar accords with Chile and Turkey.
Hope it helps
Hope it helps
#23
Join Date: May 2003
Location: TLL
Programs: OZ Diamond, BA Gold, Bonvoy Ambassador, HH Gold
Posts: 4,412
And while you don't need an exit visa in most cases, you do need a valid, non-expired visa to exit the country. Many places will kick you out and not let you back in if you leave and your visa is expired. Russia makes you get a visa extension before they let you out.
#24
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: SK Gold, ITA Executive, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,163
Only for the holders of new [red], biometric passports stating Republic of Serbia on them. People who still have old [blue] passports of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia need visas to enter Russia.
#25
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CPH (Swedish side)
Programs: PC Platinum, Club Carlson Gold, GHA Black, A-Club Platinum, Hilton Silver, SPG Gold, Rica Gold, EBB
Posts: 194
Transit visa required?
Does anyone know if you might need a transfer visa if you´re just transferring in Moscow? My wife is Taiwanese citizen with a schengen residents visa if that makes the case any different.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
#26
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 170
(TWOV)
16.those continuing their journey within 24 hours without
leaving the airside (international) transit area.
If continuing by a domestic flight (also including
Belarus); or if airport of arrival is different from the
airport of departure within the same Russian city (e.g.
arriving at Sheremetyevo-2 and departing from
Sheremetyevo-1 airport in Moscow): transit visa required,
as entering territory of the Russian Fed.
16.those continuing their journey within 24 hours without
leaving the airside (international) transit area.
If continuing by a domestic flight (also including
Belarus); or if airport of arrival is different from the
airport of departure within the same Russian city (e.g.
arriving at Sheremetyevo-2 and departing from
Sheremetyevo-1 airport in Moscow): transit visa required,
as entering territory of the Russian Fed.
#27
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CPH (Swedish side)
Programs: PC Platinum, Club Carlson Gold, GHA Black, A-Club Platinum, Hilton Silver, SPG Gold, Rica Gold, EBB
Posts: 194
(TWOV)
16.those continuing their journey within 24 hours without
leaving the airside (international) transit area.
If continuing by a domestic flight (also including
Belarus); or if airport of arrival is different from the
airport of departure within the same Russian city (e.g.
arriving at Sheremetyevo-2 and departing from
Sheremetyevo-1 airport in Moscow): transit visa required,
as entering territory of the Russian Fed.
16.those continuing their journey within 24 hours without
leaving the airside (international) transit area.
If continuing by a domestic flight (also including
Belarus); or if airport of arrival is different from the
airport of departure within the same Russian city (e.g.
arriving at Sheremetyevo-2 and departing from
Sheremetyevo-1 airport in Moscow): transit visa required,
as entering territory of the Russian Fed.
#29
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Nice
Programs: Marriott Titanium, AA Concierge Key, Delta, United, Emorates, and others
Posts: 4,694
Russia has been signing these accords with a bunch of countries recently, mainly (but not only) in South America. Off the top of my head, in the last couple of years they've gone visa-free with Israel, Serbia, Hong Kong, Venezuela and Argentina. There's a visa-free accord between Russia and Brazil but it hasn't been ratified by the Brazilians yet. And they are now negotiating similar accords with Chile and Turkey.
Hope it helps
Hope it helps
#30
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 98
transit visa
There are flight from iad to kiev via svo by aeroflot. According to terminal info link above. Flight from us is already in D. and flight to kiev is still in terminal F. does some body have personal experience in transit visa situation?