​The procedure for entering the Russian Federation

October 21, 2022

Cancellation of PCR tests for foreigners and unvaccinated Russians

From October 21, 2022, Rospotrebnadzor cancels PCR tests for covid for both foreigners and unvaccinated Russians returning from abroad.

Now, before arriving in Russia, foreigners need to fill out an arrival form, and citizens of the Russian Federation - a form at the State Services. Russians crossing the border through land checkpoints are exempt from this requirement. Rospotrebnodzor can also conduct random testing of people arriving from abroad.

The decision is published on the official portal of legal information.

July 5, 2022

Russia lifts anti-COVID entry restrictions

The Russian authorities have decided to lift all epidemiological entry restrictions for foreigners arriving in the country by air and sea.

As a result of the meeting, it was decided to lift restrictions from July 15, 2022.

It was also decided to cancel the requirement to provide the results of PCR testing for COVID-19 for citizens of the Republic of Belarus upon arrival by air in Russia.

"For other citizens, the requirements to provide the results of PCR testing remain," – the headquarters emphasized.

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Foreign citizens and stateless persons

Foreign citizens and stateless persons (including children and infants from 0 years of age), with the exception of citizens of the Republic of Belarus, departing on international flights to the airports of the Russian Federation, including passengers transiting through the airports of the Russian Federation, must provide a medical document for check-in and boarding the flight (certificate) in Russian or English with a negative test result for COVID-19, made by PCR not earlier than two calendar days before arrival on the territory of the Russian Federation.

The countdown on the validity period of the PCR certificate is from the date of sampling of the biomaterial.

If it is impossible to submit a medical document in Russian or English, it is allowed to submit it in the official language of the state of registration of the organization that issued such a medical document, with a translation into Russian, the accuracy of which is certified by a consular officer of the Russian Federation. During the flight, passengers also need to fill out a questionnaire offered by flight attendants.

Prior to arrival on the territory of the Russian Federation, in order to ensure sanitary and quarantine control at checkpoints across the State Border of the Russian Federation, passengers must fill out a questionnaire arriving on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons, with the exception of citizens of the Republic of Belarus, entering the territory of the Russian Federation from the territories of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan), as well as from the territories of Azerbaijan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and of Uzbekistan through air checkpoints across the state border of the Russian Federation, upon entering the Russian Federation, they must present a negative result of a laboratory test of material for the presence of a new coronavirus infection, displayed in the mobile application "I'm traveling without COVID-19" in the form of a QR code, taken no earlier than two calendar days prior to arrival in the territory of the Russian Federation, with the exception of persons entering the Russian Federation from third countries through the territories of these states in transit or with a short stop, provided that they present a negative result of the examination carried out in the territory of the third of the state of laboratory testing of the material for COVID-19 by the polymerase chain reaction method, selected no earlier than two calendar days before arrival on the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as tickets and (or) boarding passes along the entire route to the Russian Federation.

The COVID-19 Free Travel app is available on Google Play and the App Store.

The results of antibody testing, the results of other types of tests, with the exception of tests performed by PCR, cannot be used to confirm the absence of infection with COVID-19 for these purposes.

Passport and visa requirements. Foreign citizens and stateless persons may enter the Russian Federation through air checkpoints across the state border of the Russian Federation, subject to the presentation of valid documents proving their identity and visas, or in a visa-free manner in cases stipulated by international treaties of the Russian Federation.

December 8, 2021

The duration of the PCR test has been reduced to 48 hours

We inform you that in connection with the Resolution of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation No. 33 dated 12/04/2021, from December 08, 2021, changes are made to the procedure for entry into the Russian Federation of foreign citizens and stateless persons during a pandemic, namely:

• foreign citizens and stateless persons flying on international flights to the airports of the Russian Federation, including passengers traveling in transit through the airports of the Russian Federation, must provide a medical document (certificate) in Russian or English with a negative test result for COVID to check in and board the flight. 19, made by the PCR method no earlier than two calendar days (including the day of arrival) before arrival in the territory of the Russian Federation.

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We remind you (!) that from September 1, 2021, entry into the Russian Federation is only possible for citizens who have a "green" QR-code status in the special application "Traveling without COVID-19"

In order to receive a QR-code, you must:

• Download and install the free application "Traveling COVID-19 Free" on your mobile phone (download GooglePlay, AppStore)

• After starting the application, select the desired language and specify the geolocation.

• Choose – from where and where to travel (after that, the application will display a list of accredited laboratories for passing the PCR test).

• No earlier than 48 hours (earlier than 72 hours) before the departure of the flight, pass the analysis by the PCR method in one of the indicated laboratories (in this case, you must inform the laboratory employee that you want to receive the result in the "Traveling without COVID-19" application and indicate the number and series of your passport, where you plan to travel).

• Scan the QR-code issued by the laboratory or obtained from the analysis using the mobile application.

• When crossing the border, present the QR-code to the authorized employee on the screen of the mobile phone using the application.

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When do you need a PCR test result?

• When traveling. When visiting other countries where a test or certificate is required. And also when returning to Russia, if you have not been vaccinated or have not been ill.

• With restrictions. If there is no QR code, but you need to visit public places, get medical treatment or get permission to work, in cases where such requirements are officially established.