It is compulsory to have a visa to enter a subject of the Russian Federation (the republic is one). Also, there are some differences in the procedure for citizens of the CIS and other foreigners. The rules for non-CIS citizens are described below.
E-visa (short-stay visa for citizens of certain certain amount of countries)
Requirements for foreign citizens to enter Russia
Main requirements
Registration in Russia
Useful contacts
Russian consulates in Europe
Requirements for foreign citizens to enter Russia
Tourist travel to Russia
1. Passport must be valid not less then 6 months beyond intended stay.
2. Tickets and documents for return or onward travel.
3. Russian entry permit is required.
4. Vaccinations are not required.
Business travel to Russia
1. Passport must be valid not less then 6 months beyond intended stay.
2. Tickets and documents for return or onward travel.
3. Russian entry permit is required.
4. Vaccinations are not required.
Employment or study travel to Russia
For information contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate.
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Russian Visa Requirements
The following documents should be submitted to the Russian Embassy or Consulate to obtain a document to enter Russia.
Russian tourist visa
1. Your original passport with at least 2 blank entry permit-designated pages (passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the intended departure date from Russia).
2. Two copies of the Russian visa application form, completed and signed.
3. ONE passport-size photo signed on the back.
4. If tour group or cruise passenger: letter from tour company or cruise line confirming itinerary and including a copy of the confirmation from authorised Russian travel company which shows the reference number and confirmation number for the entry permit.
5. If individual travel: confirmation of hotel arrangements from authorised Russian travel company, or directly from the Russian hotel, showing reference number and confirmation number for the visa.
Russian business single, double and multiple-entry visas
1. Your original passport with at least 2 blank entry permit-designated pages (passport must be valid for at least 6 months after intended departure date from Russia).
2. Two copies of Russian visa application form, completed and signed.
3. ONE passport-size photo signed on the back.
4. For stay exceeding 3 months, or multi-entry entry permit, a HIV test required.
5. Official invitation from an organisation authorised to invite business visitors to Russia.
The invitation to Russia must be from the Russian Foreign Ministry or its regional representatives; The Ministry of Interior or its local offices; or other authorised Russian agencies. The letter must contain: the official seal and legal address of the agency, signature, and name of the official authorised to invite foreigners to Russia. The Embassy reserves the right to request the original invitation.
Registration of visas in Russia
All Russian visas should be registered upon arrival in the Russian Federation.
According to Russian law, your Russian visa must be registered within 72 hours upon your arrival (excluding weekends and official holidays) with the local Federal Migration Service (FMS), or the local post office (“Почта России”).
1. If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel will register your visa. You will be asked for your entry permit and passport. A small registration fee might be imposed.
2. If you stay in a private apartment, your visa should be registered by your host with the local Federal Migration Service (FMS), or the local post office.
3. If you are not staying at a hotel, and travel on a tourist visa, you will have to register your visa with the local Federal Migration Service (FMS), or the local post office. In this case, it is easier to do at the post office.
Register your entry permit!
It is strongly advised to register your Russian visa, and register it at mentioned time, to avoid complications during your stay in Russia.
The fact of not registering your any Russian visas may cause serious problems with the police. You might be stopped by police, fined, put on the list of non-eligible persons to get a Russian entry permit in the future, or so on.
Please keep in mind that the registration procedure may change at any time due to various reasons. We strongly advise you to find information about all the details before your visit to Russia.
Disclaimer for Visa Regulations
The information provided about Russian visa regulations and travel requirements for Tatarstan is for general informational purposes only. Visa rules, application procedures, immigration regulations and entry policies may change at any time based on updates from the government of the Russian Federation.
Travelers are advised to confirm all details with official sources, such as the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or their nearest Russian Embassy or Consulate, before planning their trip. It is your responsibility to ensure compliance with visa requirements, including submitting accurate documents and completing visa registration on time.
This content does not constitute legal advice, and we are not responsible for any inaccuracies or issues that may arise from relying on this information. For specific concerns, please consult a professional immigration advisor or an authorized government source.
Useful contacts
Website in English
Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for obtaining e-visas
Website
Representative office of MID RF in Kazan
Address: 420014 Kazan, Kremlin, Kosmonavtov Str. 59
Phone: +7 843 590-18-64
E-mail: kazan@mid.ru
Website
Passport and visa service of the Federal Migration Service (FMS) in Kazan
Russia, Kazan, Str. Gavrilova, 77
+7 843 521-40-25
(each city has its own FMS office)
F.A.Q. on Visa
Do you need a visa to travel to Tatarstan?
The Republic of Tatarstan is a part of the Russian Federation. It means that anyone travelling to Tatarstan needs to apply for a Russian visa. The application procedure is to be done at a consular office by the Russian Embassy, or a legitimate visa support office.
Is it possible to enter Tatarstan without a visa?
Not without a visa, but with a visa free of charge for citizens of some countries. Here you may read about the current visa status of each country.
May I apply for a visa to Russia/Tatarstan online?
Yes, that’s possible at https://visa.kdmid.ru/
