Russia Is Open For Tourism From 77 Countries And Requires Covid Test Or Antibodies Certificate

Russia is open to tourists from 77 countries. All visitors are required to bring proof of a negative COVID-19 test or a medical certificate for COVID-19 antibodies.

Not all visitors need to quarantine. Local governments are allowed to set their own rules regarding quarantine requirements for arrivals. Visitors are advised to check with local authorities for current restrictions. 

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The Russian government has temporarily suspended flights from/to the U.K., Tanzania, and Turkey until further notice and enforced new restrictions for travelers coming from India.

Related:
– Is China open for tourism?
– When is U.S. reopening? – Who Can Enter?

Disclaimer: Travel restrictions and governmental regulations can change rapidly and the information below might be outdated within a few hours. Therefore, double-check all information with your embassy or on official websites. Traveling Lifestyle does not take any responsibility for your decision to travel.

Russia Reopening Borders – Latest Updates

February 16: Russia accounted for over 10M trips in 2021 but political tensions threaten Asian recovery. 

According to the Executive Director of the Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR), Russians alone completed more than 10.1 million tourism-related trips overseas in 2021.

“In 2021, Russians made 10,105,069 trips mainly or substantially for tourist purposes [to 32 countries]. This is almost half – 47.2% – of all foreign trips by Russians for any purpose in 2021,” the director said.

Experts believe that if the current situation does not change, the tourism industry’s recovery will be further delayed owing to economic ramifications in West Asia as a result of this “war-like scenario.”

February 2 – Commercial flights allowed to travel as normal as Russia relocates drills

According to the Irish Oireachtas Committee on Transport, airspace restrictions imposed to clear the way for Russian military drills have now been lifted because the country has moved its drills to an “undetermined” location.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) will inform members in its opening statement, that it received formal notice to lift restrictions, according to RTE news.

Additionally, Russian Ambassador Yuri Filatov will appear before the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee, to discuss the decision of relocating the drills.

According to the Committee, civilian aircraft will again be able to travel as usual.

Who can travel to Russia?

Nationals and residents from the following list can enter Russia. (Current at February 16)

1. Albania
2. Andorra
3. Argentina
4. Armenia
5. Austria
6. Azerbaijan
7. Bahamas
8. Bahrain
9. Bangladesh
10. Belgium
11. Brazil
12. Bulgaria
13. China
14. Columbia
15. Costa Rica
16. Croatia
17. Cuba
18. Cyprus
19. Czech Republic
20. Denmark
21. Djibouti
22. Dominican Republic
23. Egypt
24. Ethiopia
25. Finland
26. France
27. Germany
28. Greece
29. Hungary
30. Iceland
31. India
32. Iran
33. Iraq
34. Ireland
35. Italy
36. Japan
37. Jordan
38. Kazakhstan
39. Kenya
40. Kuwait
41. Kyrgyzstan
42. Lebanon
43. Lichtenstein
44. Luxemburg
45. Maldives
46. Malta
47. Mauritius
48. Mexico
49. Moldova
50. Mongolia
51. Morocco
52. Netherlands
53. New Zealand
54. North Macedonia
55. Norway
56. Oman
57. Peru
58. Portugal
59. Qatar
60. Saudi Arabia
61. Serbia
62. Seychelles
63. Singapore
64. Slovakia
65. Slovenia
66. South Korea
67. Spain
68. Sri-Lanka
69. Sweden
70. Switzerland
71. Syria
72. Tajikistan
73. Thailand
74. Tunisia
75. Turkey
76. United Arab Emirates
77. United Kingdom

(Source)

What are the entry requirements for Russia?

• Must present proof in English or Russian-language that they have tested negative for the coronavirus in the past 72 hours to be allowed entry.
• If foreigners or returning Russian citizens do not have proper test results, they will be required to submit to a PCR Covid-19 test within 72 hours of arrival. If the PCR outcome is positive, self-isolation for 14 days will be required.
• Russians returning to their home country from other countries are expected to comply with a 14-day quarantine.
• Russian nationals are required to complete an entry form on the gosuslugi.ru portal and then upload their PCR test results within 72 hours of arrival in Russia.

Can travelers from other countries travel to Russia, what are the requirements?

The categories listed are meant to help transition to normalcy incrementally as the government monitors any shifts in Covid-19 cases.

Russia is currently allowing specific categories of people to travel if they have proper documentation and follow health and safety protocols:

• Diplomats as well as their family members,
• Intergovernmental committees, commissions, or exclusive delegation members,
• Relatives of a deceased person, if proper documentation is provided to confirm the relationship,
• Foreigners in need of medical treatment,
• Foreigners studying abroad in Russia,
• Foreigners who have jobs that are categorized as “highly qualified specialists” professions,

FAQs:

Covid-19 Situation in Russia

As of February 16, Russia has reported 14,659,880 positive COVID cases and 342,383 deaths caused by the virus.

COVID-19 related restrictions

People should continue to practice infection control methods even though Moscow does not require residents to wear a mask while walking on the street.

Residents can walk around Moscow without Contact Tracing or a Digital Pass to identify if they have had any close contact with positive Covid-19 patients.

However, residents are encouraging residents to maintain a social distance of 1.5 meters (6 feet). Visitors could be fined for noncompliance.

Masks and gloves are required on public transportation, inside stores, or inside any public buildings.

Schools, including universities, and many businesses are expected to be opened soon. Tourists can expect movie theaters and concert halls opened with limited capacity permits.

For questions or concerns, the Moscow Department of Health hotline posts updates at +7 495 870-45-09.

Tourism in Russia

In early 2020 the Azerbaijan Tourism Board reported that the country’s tourism sector was growing. That year alone, 426,000 tourists from 149 countries had traveled to Russia, accounting for 17 percent growth in tourism from the previous year.

The pandemic plummeted the growth of international tourism. Whether it was to see Moscow or the countryside Russia drew tourists worldwide.

Painted in history but with all of the modern amenities. Tourists come to Russia to be swept away. In Moscow, the Kremlin and the Red Square never disappoint with their unique tours and color architecture.

Saint Petersburg attractions are walkable and concentrated around the Winter Palace. Cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg have convenient public transportation options. The adventure seekers will head out to Mount Elbrus.

Reasonable flights and an array of accommodations are available to fit every budget.

Russia reopening borders: Update archives

January 19 – Russian authorities reduced quarantine from 14 to only 7 days

Although the country has lifted quarantine for allowed international arrivals, it’s good news to know Russia has decided to cut quarantine from 14 to 7 days if infected while in the country. 

On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, who heads the country’s coronavirus task force, stated that health officials are “optimizing our approaches to quarantine and testing of our citizens, including shortening the quarantine period to seven days.”

Other policy adjustments will be implemented in the following days, according to the Minister.

December 17 – Russia halted COVID- 19 restrictions for unvaccinated citizens

Russian officials have backed down from imposing restrictions against unvaccinated people. 

Citizens across the country began holding rallies and launched online petitions in response to the new rules that were supposed to come into force in February.

“We need to be balanced when working out these decisions so that the opinion of the people is taken into account,” said Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, who runs Russia’s state coronavirus task force.

Also, Russians who were vaccinated in other countries will now be eligible to receive vaccine certificates.

December 3 – Russia imposes a 14-day quarantine for all Southern African Travelers

Russian authorities have decided not to ban flights from Southern African countries but impose a severe 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from the area.

Also, nationals returning from places where air travel has not been fully restored will also have to observe a 14-day quarantine. 

The Russian president said Tuesday that he has instructed the government to prepare an action plan to tackle the Omicron strain by next week.

The country has recorded  33,389 Covid-19 infections and 1,221 deaths in the last 24 hours.

November 15 – Russia to request proof of COVID immunity for all travelers until June 1

The Russian government plans to request proof of COVID immunity for air and railway travelers up to June 1, the Transport Minister told reporters on Friday.

“Specific medical documentation… will have to be presented during the purchase of tickets and at the boarding whether it is a plane or a railway carriage,” the minister said.

The date when this new restriction will be enforced is yet to be released.

With more than 500,000 daily deaths, a rising number of infections and a huge portion of the population reluctant to get vaccinated, Russia is facing the worst wave of coronavirus seen since the pandemic began.

October 6 – Russia to impose new restrictions as COVID cases hit record high 

Russia reported 24,465 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, which is the highest daily number since July 19, the anti-coronavirus crisis center said on Tuesday. 

In view of the new spike, the regional response centers had to reimpose Covid-19 related restrictions that had been lifted more than a year ago.

Regardless of the epidemiology situation, Russia has continued resuming flights. Last week, the country reopen skies to flights from Moscow to Bukhara, Samarkand, Urgench, Namangan, Andizhan, and Termez in Uzbekistan.

September 16 – Russia set to restart flights with Spain, Kenya, Slovakia and other countries from Sept. 21

Russia’s coronavirus task force announced that some of its flag carriers will restart operations to Spain, Iraq, Kenya, and Slovakia from Sept. 21

So far, the government has confirmed four weekly flights between Madrid, Barcelona, Bratislava, and Moscow.

Given the positive epidemiology situation, it will also increase the number of airports serving routes to Turkey and Egypt.
Source: Reuters

September 1 – Russia launches national lottery to encourage citizens to get vaccinated

The Kremlin has refused to impose mandatory vaccination in Russia and, conversely, has created multiple strategies to boost vaccinations, mostly with mixed results.

Now the government has launched a lottery that will give 1,000 vaccinated Russians the equivalent of US$1,350.

On August 26, the country officially registered its 5th coronavirus vaccine, EpiVacCorona-N, according to a report by Interfax. The Health Ministry announced this one is an upgrade on the already-approved EpiVacCorona.

Source: The Moscow Times

August 18 – Russia to resume air traffic to Czech Republic, Dominican Republic and South Korea on August 27

Russia will lift its travel ban on outbound flights to Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, and South Korea from August 27, according to a TASS report.

“Following discussions and considering the epidemiological situation in certain countries, the decision was made to lift restrictions on international regular and non-regular (charter) flights from Russian airports to the Dominican Republic, South Korea and the Czech Republic starting from August 27, 2021,” the statement reads.

Also, commercial fifths to Hungary, Cyprus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will be increased from the same date. 

Source: Russia News Agency

August 4 – Russia actively resuming flights with multiple countries in August 9

Russia announced the official resumption of flights with Punta Cana, La Romana, and Puerto Plata in Dominican Republic starting August 9. (Source).

The country also plans to resume flights to Egypt on the same date after a six-year halt (not COVID-related).

“From August 9, the number of flights to Europe will be increased, with Moscow-Hurghada and Moscow-Sharm el-Sheikh flights adding up to five flights per week for every route,” said the Russian Anti-coronavirus Crisis Center. (Source).

Russia “officially” resumed flights with France and the Czech Republic on July 24. However, local media says this is just a formality since no airline has announced plans to resume flights with these two countries. 

June 26 – Russia to resume flights with the U.S. and other 8 countries from June 28

The Emergency Response Centre to prevent the import and spread of the novel coronavirus has green-lighted the resumption of international travel with the U.S. Belgium, Bulgaria, Jordan, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, and North Macedonia from June 28.

In a separate report, the Russian government announced that passenger flights with low demand can be canceled or merged with other services with short to no prior notice. 

The newly allowed visitors must submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 72 hours before their departure. Russian citizens must also produce another negative COVID-19 test result within three days upon arrival or undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine. 

(Source: Russian Gov.)

June 10 – Russia to resume flights with 8 countries from June 10, and working on 30 more from August

Effective today, Russia resumes flights with Albania, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mauritius and Morocco according to a statement issued by the Federal COVID-19 Response Center on Monday. 

The country is also working to expand the offer to other 30 countries from August. For now, the Ministry of Health has reported that Hungary, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Finland, China, Vietnam, Mongolia and Sri Lanka have a “satisfactory epidemiology situation” so these could be considered for the next reopening. 

Authorities will require all foreign and national citizens arriving in Russia to present a negative test for COVID-19, taken no older than 72 hours before departure.

(Source: Tass – Russian News Agency)

May 25 – Russia resumed flights with Malta, Iceland, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Portugal on May 25

Russia has been increasing the number of countries they are open to. As of today, travelers from 28 countries can travel to Russia under different conditions.

As part of its reopening to the world, Russia has resumed commercial flights with Malta, Iceland, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Portugal, starting today, May 25.

The country has also increased the frequency of flights with South Korea, Finland, Japan and even South America.

Among other good news, Russia is setting everything up to resume flights with Bulgaria from June 1. (Source: GardaWorld)

May 10 – Russia to ban flights from multiple countries to contain the spread of the new variants of COVID-19

Due to the high incidence rate of COVID-19 in some countries of concern, Russia has decided to limit flights coming from Turkey until June 1, and banned flights from Tanzania, a country whose authorities have refused to take any actions to contain the spread of the virus.    

Besides, Russian authorities have also extended the suspension of all commercial flights with from/to the UK until June 1 for the same reasons. Only diplomats and persons holding special visas, such as Highly Qualified Specialist visas will be granted entry. 

For its part, travelers arriving from India will have to self-isolate immediately upon arrival until they test negative for the virus, at which point they may exit quarantine. Any violations of an order to self-isolate may result in a fine of 4,000-5,000 rubles.

April 23 – Russia to resume flight operations with Egypt and Italy

Despite their political differences, both Egypt and Italy have agreed to reopen to Russian tourists by summer.

The announcement was made after a phone call between the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Flights to resort destinations in Sharm al-Sheikh and Hurghada had been canceled after a Russian passenger plane crashed in Sinai in October 2015, killing 224 people. 

Likewise, Russian media reported this week that Italy will be taking Russian tourists after a visit an “Italian ambassador” paid to the Russian government. 

In both cases, the official reopening date has not been confirmed yet but local media has mentioned summer as the best time.

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