Ryssland

Översikt

Since the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014, there have been growing fears of a return to Cold War-era hostility between Russia and the US and EU. Russia’s covert military role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine led to the imposition of sanctions against Russia’s energy, finance and defence sectors. Russia's engagement in the Syria conflict has further complicated it's foreign relations. Despite the dominance of the Putin regime and heavy suppression of opposition there are bouts of major protests in Moscow and other cities.

After Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022 sanctions regimes, including flight bans, have been strengthened further and international relations have worsened significantly. Some governments have issued advisories against traveling to Russia as a result.

Overall crime levels are comparable to other countries around the world, but cyber crime in particular is rife, with an ever-present risk of malware, spam e-mail, sophisticated spear phishing, and social engineering attacks. There is a heightened risk of terrorism in the North Caucasus. Corruption in business is considered a significant concern.

Hälsa, sjukdomar och vaccination

Travellers are advised to consult a travel health specialist or general practitioner (GP) to obtain the latest information with regards to what vaccines are recommended about 4-8 weeks prior to departing for Russia. Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before your trip. The following vaccinations are recommended: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, polio and influenza.

Russia has the largest number of reported cases of Tick-borne encephalitis. TBE is present in all forested areas of the country, including Siberia. Travellers should avoid consuming unpasteurized dairy products and use all measures to avoid tick bites.

Rare human cases of Japanese Encephalitis have been reported from the Far Eastern maritime areas south of Khabarovsk. Most human cases reported July-September. Vaccine is not routinely recommended.

There is a widespread and geographically dispersed HIV epidemic in the country, with Eastern and Western Siberia region being most affected. Precautions should be followed to reduce the risk of explosure.

Travellers should be aware of the risks associated with travellers’ ailments such as diarrhoea. It is advisable to bring anti-diarrhoea medication and oral rehydration salts to prevent dehydration.

Visitors are advised to drink only bottled water or water that has been filtered and boiled. Similarly, avoid ice cubes as it may be produced from tap water, or produce washed in local water unless it has been peeled or cooked.

Tuberculosis is highly endemic in Russia. It is a major public health problem in this country and there is a rising incidence of multi-drug-resistant TB.

Medical facilities both state and private are of a sound standard in most large cities, but may be below Western standards. Facilities in rural areas will be significantly lower than the major cities. Treatments will require cash payment upon admission. Some medications that are readily available in Western countries may not be accessible in Russia, with specialist services unlikely to be widespread. Personal medicine should be sourced prior to travel. Caution should also be taken over receiving blood transfusions in Russia, as blood screening protocols are not considered as robust as Western Europe.

For an ambulance in Russia, call 103 or 112. Be prepared to give your address in Russian. In big cities because of traffic jams ambulances do not respond quickly, you may have to wait more than an hour to get help, but they are well equipped and the personnel are professional. Some of them may speak or understand English in major cities. Ambulances’ physicians make decisions regarding treatment, transportation and the hospital where the patient is treated.

Pass

Passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from Russia; otherwise you may be refused entry into the country.

Visum

Most nationals are required a visa to enter Russia. An exit visa is also required. Most entry visas include an exit visa that specifies the date of departure. Failure to leave Russia before your visa expires may result in major delays or fines and possible deportation. Note that a tourist visa cannot be extended. However, some entry visas do not include an exit visa. In this case your sponsor will need to obtain the exit visa for you before you can leave the country.

Before you travel to Russia make sure that the information provided to obtain the visa is correct. Giving false documents or information to immigration officers can result in delays and detainment, and possible refusal. Some nationals are required to provide diplomatic missions and the visa application centres with scanned fingerprints from visa applicants above the age of 12. Note that processing time for all types of visas may take at least 15 working days. In busy periods, applications can take an extended time before being granted. 

Russian authorities strictly distinguish between tourist and visitor forms of visas: A tourist visa is for those staying in hotel-type accommodation; whereas a visitor visa is for those staying privately.

Upon arrival all foreign nationals must fill in two identical copies of a migration card. One is held by the immigration officer. The other should be stored and presented with your passport to the police during an identity check. The second copy is surrendered at immigration on your exit. You must complete a new migration card each time you enter Russia. If you lose the second copy then fines can be applied. Overstaying your visa without authorisation from the Federal Migration Authorities can result in a delay to your departure, fines, court hearings and possible deportation and a ban from re-entry.

This migration card covers not only Russia, but also Belarus. If you are travelling between Russia and Belarus, the migration card received on entry to the first of the two countries should be kept until you finally leave the last of the two countries.

Also note that if you plan to travel to Russia by train you will need to obtain a transit visa for Belarus. If you want to transit through Russia to a third country check Russian transit visa requirements.

If you intend to stay for more than seven days, you must register your visa within three working days of arrival in Russia with the local authorities. Most major hotels will do this automatically for you. If you are staying with friends or in private accommodation they must do this for you. If you have a work visa, your employer will complete the registration. Failure to register may result in significant delays or fines upon departure.

Foreigners who wish to travel to the Chechen Republic must obtain special permission from the Ministry of the Interior Affairs of Russia.

If you plan to visit Vladivostok, Yakutsk or other isolated cities, this must be specifically written in the visa.

Cruise or ferry passengers can stay in Russia for 72 hours without visas only if they have booked tours through the companies officially licensed by the Russian government.

If you intend to travel or reside in Russia for longer than three months, you must provide a medical certificate of a negative HIV test. The certificate must contain passport details and HIV test information, indicate the length of stay in Russia and be valid for three months from the date of testing.