{"id":2116,"date":"2023-11-19T01:43:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-19T01:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/russiable.com\/?p=2116"},"modified":"2024-01-05T19:28:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T19:28:50","slug":"foreigners-travel-russia-requirements-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/russiable.com\/foreigners-travel-russia-requirements-coronavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"Current situation for traveling to Russia: Ukraine, visa, flights, rubles and payments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Despite international sanctions it is possible to travel to Russia. The consulates issue visas normally and life in Russia is completely normal. However, you should consider the existing limitations when taking flights, making payments, or booking accommodation.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moscow<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

0. Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Those of us who travel to Russia either for tourism or to visit family or friends, have been having difficulties for several years now, first because of the COVID pandemic and then because of the conflict in Ukraine. In this article I will try to clarify the main doubts that people traveling to Russia currently have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the war in Ukraine, it is possible to travel to Russia for tourism, to visit relatives, for business or humanitarian reasons<\/strong>. The Russian border is open and Russian consulates in Europe, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia issue visas as usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both a traditional visa and an electronic visa can be obtained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Russians, despite international sanctions and the conflict, are living a normal life. COVID restrictions have also been lifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the international sanctions against Russia have caused difficulties in finding flights, exchanging currency or making payments<\/strong>. Throughout this article, which I will try to keep updated, I will explain the latest situation for those of you who will be traveling to Russia soon, as well as practical recommendations on how to book flights, accommodation, make payments or purchase travel insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Security in Russia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Travel to Russia is safe<\/strong>. Life is normal in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other major Russian cities. However, caution should be exercised when traveling to the regions bordering Ukraine (Rostov-on-Don, Voronezh, Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk), as well as not to go near the border with Ukraine or to military facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also advisable not to make public demonstrations or statements on social networks criticizing the so-called special military operation by the Russian government or questioning the success or work of the Russian military in Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the sanitary risk due to Covid-19<\/strong>, there are no longer sanitary restrictions<\/strong>. As of October 21, 2022, it is no longer necessary to take a PCR test before traveling to Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Visa to Rusia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite international sanctions, Russian consulates are issuing visas <\/strong>for travel to Russia for tourism, visiting relatives, etc., as usual. Inaddition, since August 1, 2023 it is already possible to apply for an electronic visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary, the current options are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option 1<\/strong>. Electronic visa (E-Visa)<\/a>. A total of 55 nationalities can apply for an electronic visa to Russia, for stays of up to 16 days. The great advantage of the electronic visa is that it is not necessary to go to the consulate or to the Russian visa centers. In this article <\/a>I explain what conditions you must fulfill, how to apply for it step by step and how to purchase travel insurance online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option 2<\/strong>. Regular or paper visa<\/a>. If you do not meet the conditions required to apply for an electronic visa, then you can apply for a paper or traditional visa, which can be for tourism, business, private travel, etc, and allows longer stays than the electronic visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invitations are still required for regular visas, which can be purchased from Russian tourist companies. However, there is the problem that Western Visa or MasterCard cards are restricted in Russian e-commerce. However, some Russian companies such as iVisa <\/a>have adapted to this situation and now allow payment with European or American cards (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro or American Express).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option 3<\/strong>. Travel to Russia without a visa (Visa-Free)<\/a>. There are countries that do not require a visa to travel to Russia, such as Cuba, Colombia, Peru or Venezuela, among others, although under certain conditions. In this case you do not have to apply for a visa, but you must have travel insurance for any eventuality that may arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Travel insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To enter Russia, whether on an e-visa or paper visa, you will need travel insurance with coverage in Russia<\/a>. It is not easy to find Western insurance companies that offer coverage in Russia, so you will need to use Russian insurance companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem with purchasing travel insurance with a Russian company is that they do not allow payment with bank cards from outside Russia. However, some Russian companies have adapted to this situation and already allow payment with cards from other countries. In this article <\/a>I will explain how to get a travel insurance from the Russian company Cherehapa<\/a> paying with a bank card from any country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Travel<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Flights and ground transportation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is possible to enter Russia both by plane and by bus<\/strong>. As for the airplane, the problem is that after the international sanctions the European airspace with Russia is closed, so you have to resort to air connections with Russia through third countries. Russian companies such as Aeroflot or S7 Airlines do not fly from Europe, North America or Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shortest connections to Moscow are via Istanbul <\/strong>(Turkey) with Turkish Airlines <\/a>or Pegasus Airlines <\/a>or via Belgrade <\/strong>(Serbia) with Air Serbia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Germany, Austria or Italy there is also the option of using the low cost company Wizz Air<\/a>, which flies to Yerevan (Armenia).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other more distant and more expensive connections are via Abu Dhabi (UAE) with Etihad Airways<\/a>, via Doha (Qatar) with Qatar Airways <\/a>or via Cairo (Egypt) with EgyptAir<\/a>. It is also possible to fly to Russia via Tashkent (Uzbekistan) with Uzbekistan Airways <\/a>or via Casablanca (Morocco) with Royal Air Maroc.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recommend checking connections through a flight comparator. The problem is that the western flight comparators have removed flights to Russia, so I would recommend you check the through a Russian flight comparator such as OneTwoTrip<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Flight<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With international sanctions, flights to Russia through other countries have become more expensive. In contrast, domestic flights in Russia have become   cheaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another option to travel to Russia is to take a flight to a country bordering Russia (such as Finland, Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania) and  from there take a bus to enter Russia. The main routes of entry are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n