Russia Transit Visa

Russia Transit Visa

Standard single-entry transit visas are issued to citizens of other states and stateless persons for the purposes of passing through the territory of the Russian Federation, for a period of up to 10 days (by road or rail) or for a period of up to 3 days (by air), on the basis of valid tickets for departure from the Russian Federation, and possession of a valid visa for entry into the next state en route, or a visa for the final port of call, or passport for that country.

Foreign citizens passing through the Russian Federation to the country of their destination in a motor car or heavy goods vehicle are issued with a transit visa for the period of time required in order to complete the journey by the shortest routes (but in no case for a period longer than 10 days). The period of validity of the visa in such cases shall be calculated based on a theoretical average daily distance of 500 km.

The period of validity of double-entry transit visas must not exceed one month. In cases when foreign nationals need to pass through Russian in transit on their way to a third country, then come back through Russia more than a month later, they must apply for a single-entry transit visa and obtain a second transit visa at the Russian consulate in the country which was the foreign national's initial destination.

Foreign nationals flying over the territory of the Russian Federation without changing flights in the country do not require a Transit Visa.

Foreign nationals flying with an international airline and changing flights in the Russian Federation, at the same airport on both the outward journey and the inbound journey (on condition that this airport has a transit area), in possession of properly completed documents confirming their right to enter the destination country, and an airline ticket with a confirmed departure date, from the airport in Russia where they changed flights, no more than 24 hours after their arrival date, do not require a Transit Visa.

In order to leave the transit area, a Transit Visa must be obtained.

Please note, that since the agreement between the Russian Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan on the Customs Union has entered into force, all flights between these countries are considered to be domestic. Therefore, the customs and passport control must be carried out only in one of these countries. That is why, the passengers who are traveling to Belarus or Kazakhstan with flight change in Russia, must obtain a Transit Visa to Russia.

Remarks: The provided information serves as a guideline only. If you have any doubts, please refer to the appropriate authority for clarification.