Do Ukrainians Need a Visa for Russia? No: Entry Rules
Short answer: Ukrainian citizens can enter Russia without a visa with any type of passport, including the internal one, and stay up to 90 days per calendar year. Those aged 14 or over arriving from third countries can only enter through Moscow Sheremetyevo airport or the Ludonka road crossing.
Source: the Russian Foreign Ministry’s official conditions of entry by country. Entry rules can change at short notice, so check that page again just before you travel.
Which document to travel with
The official list says “no visa with any type of passport, including internal ones“. The documents accepted include the internal passport, the international passport and, for children under 14, the birth certificate.
How long you can stay
The Russian Foreign Ministry list sets no specific limit for Ukrainian citizens, so the general rule of Article 5 of the Federal Law on the legal status of foreign citizens applies: a visa-free foreigner can stay up to 90 days in total per calendar year, and no more than 90 days in a row. This rule replaced the old “90 days in any 180” on 5 February 2025.
Under Presidential Decree No. 159 of 20 March 2025, Ukrainian citizens in Russia without legal grounds to stay had until 10 September 2025 to leave or regularise their status; since then, the general rules for foreigners apply. Staying longer, working or studying requires the corresponding permit. Overstaying, even by a day, puts a foreigner on the Russian register of persons under control, which restricts access to services and can lead to an entry ban.
Migration card and registration
Except for Belarusians, visitors fill in a migration card at passport control and keep it until they leave Russia.
Ukrainian citizens now follow the general rules: registration at your address within 7 working days, as for most foreigners. Hotels register their guests automatically; if you stay with friends or family, they have to do it.
Fingerprinting and a photo at the migration office are only required for those who come to work or stay longer than 90 days, not for a short visit.
The RuID app
Filling in the arrival notice in the RuID app at least 72 hours before entering Russia is recommended. It is still part of an official experiment (running until the end of 2027) and, so far, not having it has not been a reason to refuse entry to a visitor. More details: RuID app and arrival notice.
Where Ukrainian citizens can enter Russia
Under Russian Government Order No. 2723-r of 6 October 2023, in force since 16 October 2023, Ukrainian citizens aged 14 or over arriving from third countries can only enter Russia through two checkpoints:
- Moscow Sheremetyevo airport.
- Ludonka road crossing (Pskov region), on the border with Latvia. Latvia closed its side of that crossing in October 2023, so in practice the entry point is Sheremetyevo.
Children under 14 are not covered by this restriction. Arriving by another airport or border crossing can mean being refused entry.
Travelling from Ukraine
Ukraine and Russia broke off diplomatic relations on 24 February 2022, and there is no direct transport between the two countries: all border crossings are closed, and the trip goes through third countries. Russia has no embassy or consulate in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises its citizens against travelling to Russia. Under martial law in Ukraine, men aged 18 to 60 can generally not leave the country, with exceptions such as men aged 18 to 22 since August 2025.
Russian embassy and consulates
Russia has no embassy or consulate in Ukraine. For questions about entry, the official source is the Russian Foreign Ministry’s conditions of entry by country.
Before you travel from Ukraine
RuID arrival notice. Recommended at least 72 hours before entering Russia (still an official experiment). How RuID works
Medical insurance. Not checked at the border for a visit, but private healthcare in Russia is expensive. Policies valid in Russia
Money. Visa and Mastercard cards issued outside Russia don’t work there: bring cash, or see how foreigners get a MIR card.
After you arrive
At the border you show your document and receive the migration card. Step by step: arriving at a Russian airport.
Registration details: registration of foreigners in Russia.
FAQ
Do Ukrainians need a visa for Russia?
No. Ukrainian citizens can enter Russia without a visa with any type of passport, including the internal one, and stay up to 90 days per calendar year.
How long can Ukrainians stay in Russia?
Up to 90 days in total per calendar year, and no more than 90 days in a row, under the general rule for visa-free foreigners in force since 5 February 2025.
Can Ukrainians enter Russia with an ID card?
Yes. The official list accepts any type of passport, including the internal one.
When do Ukrainians have to register in Russia?
Within 7 working days of arrival, as for most foreigners. Hotels register their guests automatically.
Through which airport can Ukrainians enter Russia?
Since 16 October 2023, Ukrainian citizens aged 14 or over arriving from third countries can only enter through Moscow Sheremetyevo airport or the Ludonka road crossing, which is closed on the Latvian side. In practice, that means Sheremetyevo.
Is there a direct way to travel from Ukraine to Russia?
No. There are no direct flights, trains or buses, and all border crossings between the two countries are closed: the trip goes through third countries.
Different passport? Check visa requirements for every nationality.