To fulfill a dream and travel to the desired country, some people have to face the problem of obtaining a visa. However, before applying for it, you should familiarize yourself with the list of countries with a visa-free regime for Russia and its citizens, and then you may want to discover these states for yourself without plunging into excessive bureaucratic red tape. There are definitely plenty to choose from. What countries can these be with a visa-free regime for Russians? What are their tourist advantages? What additional conditions of stay can be? We will talk about this in the article.
What is a visa-free regime
Visa is an official document that allows you to cross the borders of the country and temporarily stay in it. However, when entering the country and in the presence of a permit document, they can talk to you at the border control post about the purpose of the visit, look at the departure ticket, and, if anythreats, border control has the right not to let you into the state even if you have a visa. But such measures are taken very rarely.
If a country introduces a visa-free regime for the entry of citizens of another state, this indicates a special positive relationship between these countries. It can even be said that the visa waiver party is always waiting for citizens of the country for which the visa regime is abolished.
The introduction of a visa-free regime can be both a mutual measure of the two countries, and a unilateral one. Most of the states for which tourism is an important economic industry, in order to attract even more tourists, establish "visa-free" for a certain amount of time, usually from thirty to ninety days. In some places, a visa can be purchased at the airport under a simplified scheme.
Interesting ratings in 2014 were compiled by some print publications for countries whose citizens would be happy to see most of the world's countries without a visa. Citizens of the USA, Germany and Great Britain took the first places - they have visa-free entry to 173 countries. They are afraid to accept citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan without a visa - they were in the penultimate and last places among 94 countries. Only 28 states are ready to let the citizens of Afghanistan in freely.
Even a passport is not needed
Despite the fact that the Soviet Union has not existed for almost 30 years, many of the countries that were part of it still maintain cultural, political, economicthreads of interaction and are glad to see Russians in their country if they have only the main passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation. By the way, these are very worthy countries in terms of tourism.
Visa-free regime for Russians in 2018 in the near abroad is only available with an internal passport to four CIS countries and two so-called "unrecognized" by the world community - Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Do I need to explain the tourist advantages of these countries? Since the old days, there are many tourist bases, sanatoriums and clinics, in addition, the countries are very close to Russia. The mountain air of South Ossetia and the nature inspiring with its uniqueness will surprise active tourists who love mountain hiking and new experiences. Abkhazia is also known for its nature, the icy waters of. Ritsa, botanical gardens, sea coast. Recently, the authorities of both countries have been cooperating with the Russian Federation in terms of improving tourism infrastructure and services.
Fraternal countries
Four more countries are on the list of countries with a visa-free regime, for entry into which only a Russian passport is required: Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Of course, in these states there are no outlets to the seas and oceans, but they can easily be replenished with local flavor, hospitable hosts, inexpensive prices and very tasty and hearty local cuisine.
More and more tourists go to the ancient and very first Christian country in the world - Armenia. You can stay here up to ninety days. Uniquea country with oriental flavor and the Christian religion will open stunning natural views of green mountains and clear rivers, the world of ancient monasteries and temples, treat you with wine and cognac, feed you with delicious barbecue. The right time to visit this country is almost year-round - in summer there is a beach on Lake Sevan, in winter - ski slopes, and in early autumn - an abundance of fruits and gentle, but not scorching sun.
There is a place for discoveries for tourists in Kyrgyzstan. There is only one high-mountain lake Issyk-Kul, striking in its purity, what is it worth, and also the Pamir and Tien Shan mountains. The color of the nomads is represented by wide steppes and yurts, real Central Asian plov and koumiss, horse riders' competitions and ancient legends. If you are not a fan of the scorching sun of Central Asia, then it is better to visit Kyrgyzstan from the end of April to May inclusive or in September - October. Tourist visa-free regime for Russians in Kyrgyzstan - 90 days.
Belarus is our closest and friendliest partner in many matters. By introducing a visa-free regime with Russia, Belarus has opened the door for many Russian tourists. Among the advantages of nature, nature reserves and primeval forests, one can note worthy medical sanatoriums, cultural and historical sites, medieval castles of European princes, temples and cathedrals, products of excellent quality and attractive prices.
Kazakhstan, being on the list of countries with a visa-free regime (entry is allowed with only one Russian passport), will provide a lot of impressions for vacationers. There are several directions for recreation here: hunting, mountaineering or fishing, educational tours, ethno- and ecotourism andrest with treatment. The capital of the country will surprise with its progressive architecture, Baikonur will slightly open the doors to the world of space, and Lake Balkhash will plunge into clear waters. Due to the vastness of this state, one should carefully choose the region of rest, the temperature difference between northern and southern Kazakhstan is quite high.
Without a visa, but with a passport. Nearest neighbors
Many times more (more than a hundred) countries are represented in the list of visa-free regime for Russians, where a passport is required for entry (don't forget to bring your Russian passport). Basically, these are tourist countries, and staying in them is limited to a few dozen days, quite enough for a vacation. Let's consider with which countries Russia has a visa-free regime, which provides for the presence of a passport. There are quite a few vacation options.
Our closest neighbors - the CIS countries - accept guests from Russia on a foreign passport in a visa-free regime. The list is presented, in addition to the above-mentioned Belarus, by the following countries:
- The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are our neighbors located in Europe. Since recently, Ukraine can be visited with a passport twice a year for up to ninety days in each half year. For the same period, a visa-free stay regime is also provided in Moldova.
- Azerbaijan and Georgia. You can freely enjoy the beauties of Azerbaijan for no more than ninety days, but in Georgia this period can last a whole year, the main thing is not to cross the Georgian border through Abkhazia.
- Tajikistan andUzbekistan. You can also feel the Central Asian flavor of these countries in a visa-free regime for 90 days. At the same time, it is important to have a valid passport throughout the rest.
Europe
In the European direction, the list of countries with a visa-free regime in 2018 for Russians is small. It is represented by six states:
- Turkey (Let's classify it with Europe, although this is only partly true). The country beloved by our tourists in 2017 went to meet them and increased the stay of our citizens up to 90 days in one half of the year. Be sure to check when your passport expires, because during your stay in this country it must be valid for at least four more months.
- Albania is another country fighting for a Russian tourist. To do this, for the popular season from spring to autumn (May 31–November 15), she introduced a visa-free regime with Russia. The rest of the time, a Schengen visa is required to stay in this country. You can vacation in Albania with a passport for up to three months.
- Macedonia and Serbia. Serbian brothers-Slavs accept Russian tourists in a visa-free regime for up to thirty days. Upon arrival, you only need to register with the local police (usually hotel workers or owners of rental housing do this). You can relax longer in beautiful Macedonia. You can stay here for up to three months every six months, the main thing is a valid passport before departure.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro. Tourists in these countries can stay thirty days in a two-month period (60 days), that is, at least everymonth. Requires a valid passport within three months before departure, a return ticket or proof of transit.
Middle East
The hot Middle Eastern countries of the visa-free regime with Russia, which provides for tours, are in demand among our tourists. These countries are:
- Israel. In a visa-free regime, citizens of the Russian Federation can come here for ninety days twice a year. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in the country. Also, be prepared for the fact that they may ask for a hotel reservation, an invitation from relatives and how much money you have.
- Jordan. Entry into this country is issued by a paid visa directly at the airport, valid for thirty days. Your passport must not expire six months before leaving the country, so be prepared to provide departure tickets.
- Bahrain. For a tourist purpose, you can visit this country only up to fourteen days, a paid visa will be issued upon arrival, at the border. Additional documents with the date of departure and confirmation of the reservation will be required. Recently, you can apply for a visa through the website of the Ministry of Interior of Bahrain.
- Lebanon and Syria. In light of recent events, it is not recommended for tourists to visit these countries, but they are on the list of countries with a visa-free regime. Previously, it was valid for thirty days.
- Qatar. This emirate state, with access to the Persian Gulf in 2017, has simplified its visit for many countries. Visa forRussians are issued at the airport for thirty days with the right to extend for the same period.
Southeast direction
Continuing to consider which countries have established a visa-free regime for Russian tourists, let's talk about the southeast direction. Many Asian countries can be visited without a visa or by issuing it upon arrival. Among them are:
- Thailand - invites Russian guests for up to thirty days only with a passport (by the way, it should not have a crumpled and dirty appearance, otherwise the Thais may not be allowed into the country). The same conditions apply for the Philippines, plus proof of funds.
- Vietnam, Hong Kong or Laos for those visa-free tourists who spend no more than 15 days in these countries (for Hong Kong - 14). The requirements are standard - a valid passport, proof of residence and return tickets (in Hong Kong they also ask for financial solvency).
- Malaysia - for a stay of up to one month, a visa is not required, while the international passport must be valid six months before departure. Long-term pregnant women may be denied entry, asked for proof of finances and fingerprinted.
- Myanmar and Nepal. Entry to Myanmar is issued with a visa at the airport and is valid for 4 weeks (28 days) or electronically on the page of the Ministry of Migration. To do this, you need a passport valid for at least the next six months, a hotel reservation and proof of money. In Nepal, you will need to buy a visa at the airport with a choice of terms - 90, 60 or 15days for adults and children over 10 years old.
- Cambodia, like Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, sells tourist visas when entering their borders for up to thirty days (Bangladesh up to 90). The rest is standard - a foreign passport that has not expired six months before the end of the visit and money for staying in the country.
- Mongolia and South Korea. These are visa-free countries for a period of thirty and sixty days, respectively. The total period of rest in these two countries cannot be more than ninety days in six months.
African continent
Having considered the list of African countries with a visa-free regime for guests from Russia, we can say that this is the most hospitable continent. The most popular countries of the African continent:
- Egypt. Allows you to see the pyramids, relax by the sea for a month with a visa issued at the airport (cost 25 dollars / 1400 rubles). When entering the country through Israel, a free Sinai visa is issued.
- Morocco, Tunisia and Namibia - do not require a visa for up to three months of stay here. Check that your passport is valid enough (six months) and provide return tickets.
- Uganda, Mali, Burundi, Djibouti, Cape Verde, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania. A visa is purchased at the place of arrival in these countries and can be valid for a period of thirty to ninety days. Some of these countries require the completion of migration cards (in English or French) and proof of funds.
- Botswana admits tourists without a visa forup to three months upon presentation of an unexpired passport, a minimum of three hundred dollars per person and return tickets.
- The Gambia does not require visas for 56 days of Russians' stay if they provide a passport, proof of residence, cash and flight tickets.
Latin American direction
With which countries does Russia have a visa-free regime? Many countries of Central and South America are no less hospitable than the South-Eastern countries and Africa. They are represented by the following list.
Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, El Salvador, Chile, Guyana, Colombia, Honduras, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala and Argentina can be freely visited with only one passport valid for the entire trip for ninety days. Upon arrival, they may ask about your financial solvency and ask you to present return tickets or hotel reservations. In Honduras, minors under 21 may be asked to provide a power of attorney, which must be translated into Spanish. Uruguay, Argentina and Chile can be visited twice a year for up to 90 days.
The same amount (90 days) tourists from Russia can stay in Venezuela. The rest of the requirements are the same: the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of departure from the country. At the airport or directly on the plane, you will be asked to fill out a migration card.
Cuba for Russian tourists is open for up to thirty days without a visa. You will need to complete twoa copy of the entry card, present a valid passport with blank sheets, have 50 dollars / 2800 rubles. per day for each member of the trip (tourists traveling through travel agencies will not be checked for availability of money).
Tourists can stay in Nicaragua for up to 90 days by paying a five-dollar fee at the entrance to it, filling out a migration card, showing a valid (at least six months) passport and cash at least two hundred dollars (11,300 rubles) for each person for all the time of the trip.
Beautiful Islands
Island states to attract tourists also cancel visas and let tourists on a valid passport. Many of these islands, without exaggeration, can be called paradise.
Citizens of the Russian Federation are allowed to stay on the beautiful island of Jamaica for up to thirty days for tourism purposes. Grenada is a visa-free island in the Caribbean, where you can rest up to ninety days. A passport must be valid for six months from the date of departure from Grenada, and you will also need to prove the availability of finances and a reservation of accommodation. A certified power of attorney for a child under 18 years of age will require copies of the pages of the internal passport.
Barbados invites guests without a visa for up to 29 days. At the same time, the international passport must be valid for six months from the date of arrival, they will be asked to present a voucher, hotel reservation and prove financial solvency. If you have finances and a return ticket, you can stay in the Bahamas up to ninety days.
Mauritius Island is located next to the African continent. For less thanA sixty-day holiday visa must be purchased at the airport and extended if necessary. Be prepared to check finances and availability of return tickets.
Dominica Island invites Russian tourists for 3 weeks without a visa. You need a valid international passport for six months, a reservation of accommodation and at least 50 dollars (2800 rubles) per person. Haiti and the Dominican Republic are on the same island. You can come to the Dominican Republic to relax for a period of not more than one month by paying a fee at the entrance (about 10 euros / 700 rubles) according to a passport valid for three months from the date of departure from the island of Haiti. And in neighboring Haiti, you can stay up to 90 days.
For tourists staying less than ninety (thirty) days, a visa to Madagascar is issued upon arrival. You need a valid passport and round trip tickets. Russians do not need a visa to rest for 1 month in the Seychelles. You need a passport valid within six months after departure, a hotel reservation (voucher), round-trip tickets, proof of funds (150 dollars / 8490 rubles per day per person).
In conclusion, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that all the listed countries and states do not provide for issuing a visa only for tourist and business visits or visits by invitation. When traveling as a single parent or third parties with a child to any of the listed countries, a notarized power of attorney is required. A complete list of required documents for trips to the listed countries must be checked with travel agencies oron the official websites of the migration services of countries.
