{"id":1763,"date":"2020-02-08T18:25:56","date_gmt":"2020-02-08T18:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/russiable.com\/?p=1763"},"modified":"2024-01-06T11:43:53","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T11:43:53","slug":"visa-free-travel-russia-hong-kong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/russiable.com\/visa-free-travel-russia-hong-kong\/","title":{"rendered":"Visa-free Travel to Russia for Hong Kong citizens: Requirements and Documents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are about 60 nationalities that don\u2019t need a visa to travel to Russia. Among these nationalities is Hong Kong. In this article I\u2019ll outline the requirements that Hongkongers must meet to enter Russia without a visa, as well as what documents they need to take with them.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Flag_of_Hong_Kong.svg\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Hongkongers do not need a visa to travel to Russia (for up to 14 days)<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Visa-Free-Russia-Hong-Kong\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

According to the bilateral intergovernmental agreements, holders of the HK SAR<\/a> and Macau SAR<\/a> passports (for permanent residents only) who do not intend to be employed, study or reside in the Russian Federation enjoy visa-free entry to the Russian Federation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration of the visa-free stay in the Russian Federation for the HK SAR<\/strong> passport holders: 14 calendar days<\/strong>, starting from the day of crossing the border of Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration of the visa-free stay in the Russian Federation for the Macau SAR<\/strong> passport holders: 30 calendar days<\/strong>, starting from the day of crossing the border of Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the above terms, the cumulative duration of stay in Russia cannot exceed 90 days within any period of 180 days, and the number of entries is unlimited. Passport must be valid for at least six months after intended date of departure from Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vast majority of Hong Kong and Macau people who travel to Russia as tourists or on business use this visa exemption<\/a>. It doesn’t matter if you are traveling to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Sochi or Siberia, the visa exemption applies to the entire Russian territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that during this stay in Russia you cannot carry out any paid work, either on your own or on behalf of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"HK<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. What documents does a Hongkonger need to enter Russia without a visa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First let me say that you do not need to travel to the Russian Consulate in Hong Kong to do any paperwork, nor do you need to apply for an electronic Russian visa<\/a> (e-visa).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a Hongkonger tourist, all you have to do is present your valid passport<\/strong> at border control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The visa exemption agreement does not say anything about the period of validity that your passport must have, but the consulates recommend that the passport be valid for more than 6 months from the scheduled date of departure from Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is, if you buy a plane ticket to enter Russia on June 15, 2020 and leave on June 30, 2020, check that your passport has an expiry date after December 30, 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to check the validity of your passport before your trip and ensure that it does not show any damage or defect. Otherwise, you must renew your passport before traveling to Russia to avoid problems at the Russian border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if I have dual citizenship? If you have a passport from another country (for example, a US, British or Australian passport), keep in mind that in order to benefit from the visa exemption you must present only your Hong Kong passport at the Russian border.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Russian-visa-for-citizens-of-Hong-Kong<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In addition to a valid passport, it\u2019s a good idea to provide your round trip airline tickets<\/strong>. The exemption agreement also does not stipulate that transport tickets have to be presented, but it is customary for border officials to ask for them upon your arrival in Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Airline<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

3. What documents does a Hongkonger not need in order to enter Russia without a visa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes doubts arise about whether other documents should be presented, such as an invitation (tourist voucher) or hotel reservations or travel medical insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A) Do Hongkongers need an invitation letter to travel to Russia?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No, Hongkongers do not need an invitation<\/a> or hotel reservations, as long as they are making use of the visa exemption period.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Russian<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

B) Is it mandatory for Hongkongers to show travel medical travel insurance?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is not mandatory to take out travel medical insurance but it is highly recommended. In fact Russian consulates recommend having travel medical insurance<\/strong> for any eventuality that may arise, because if you need medical attention in Russia it can be very expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do not have travel medical insurance, you can purchase it easily in 5 minutes online from the Russian company Cherehapa<\/a>. In the insurance period you must indicate from the date of arrival in Russia until the expected date of departure.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Medical<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Medical<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Medical<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, it should be noted that European citizens are required to have travel medical insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. In what cases do Hongkongers need a visa to travel to Russia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are Hongkonger you must apply for a visa to travel to Russia in the following cases:<\/p>\n\n\n\n