Visa-free countries in Europe and the CIS for Russians. The most inexpensive visa-free countries for a holiday Visa-free cheap countries for a few days
Are you choosing a country for your vacation, but don’t want to waste time on obtaining a visa? Experts from the online service for purchasing airline tickets and booking hotels anywayanyday.com shared with us their advice on where to go and have fun.
Montenegro
You can live without a visa: 30 days.
When is the best time to go: for a beach holiday on the Adriatic Sea - at the end of May, June or September. It is too hot here in July and August. You can also go to Montenegro in winter to ski in Kolasin and Zabljak.
Türkiye
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa:
The passport must be valid for: 120 days from the date of entry into the country.
When is the best time to go: on the coast of Turkey - in May, June or September there is comfortable weather and reasonable prices for air tickets and hotels. If you want to see the sights of Istanbul and central Turkey, the best option is the off-season.
Israel
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 30 days.
The passport must be valid for:
When is the best time to go: for a beach holiday on the Mediterranean Sea and a therapeutic holiday on the Dead - in April-May and September-October.
Morocco
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 90 days.
The passport must be valid for: day of departure from the country.
When is the best time to go: Western Morocco is always warm and dry. Therefore, for surfing enthusiasts, we recommend the west coast of Morocco in the summer - if you are a beginner; and in winter - if you feel confident on the board.
Seychelles
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 90 days.
The passport must be valid for: 6 months from the date of departure from the country.
When is the best time to go: for diving and snorkeling - in windless April, May, October and November. If you are into surfing, it is better to go to the Seychelles from June to September or from December to March.
Vietnam
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 15 days.
The passport must be valid for: 90 days from the date of departure from the country.
When is the best time to go: to the north of the country - in September-October and April-May. In the resorts of central Vietnam - Nha Trang and Danang - it is best to relax from March to August. In southern Ho Chi Minh City and Phan Thiet, the most favorable time for a holiday is from December to April.
Dominican Republic
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 30 days.
The passport must be valid for: day of departure from the country.
When is the best time to go: The Dominican Republic is a year-round resort, but for a beach holiday it is better to go from February to April, during the “dry season”.
Cuba
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 30 days.
The passport must be valid for: the entire trip.
When is the best time to go: in March and April. We do not recommend going to Cuba in the summer, because it often rains from June to August. From September to October, typhoons are possible in Cuba, during which time the water is dirty and choppy. In winter, a large difference in air temperature between day and night can be uncomfortable for those who travel to Cuba to warm up.
Barbados
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 28 days.
The passport must be valid for: 6 months from the date of departure from the country.
When is the best time to go: in December-May, when it is sunny and dry. Remember that from June to October there are frequent but short showers, usually in the afternoon.
South Korea
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 60 days and no more
The passport must be valid for: the entire trip.
When is the best time to go: for a beach holiday - in September and October, when it is warm and dry. The winter entertainment season in ski resorts near Seoul begins in December and ends in March.
Brazil
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 90 days within a 180 day period.
The passport must be valid for: 6 months from the date of departure from the country.
When is the best time to go: in Rio de Janeiro - in spring and autumn: there are few tourists, the air temperature is between 25-27 degrees above zero. We do not recommend traveling around Brazil during Carnival and New Year's Eve - it is too expensive.
Argentina
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 90 days within a 180 day period.
The passport must be valid for: 6 months from the date of departure from the country.
When is the best time to go: to the Buenos Aires area - in September-November and February-March. The best time to walk in Patagonia's nature reserves is from November to February. June-August is the best time to visit Iguazu Falls and the Andes ski slopes. The south of the country is best visited during the Argentine summer (December to February); in winter the weather here is very harsh.
Thailand
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 90 days.
The passport must be valid for: the entire trip.
When is the best time to go: to see mountains, waterfalls and jungles in northern Thailand - in December and January. At this time it is already warm here, but the dry period begins only in March. The best time for a beach holiday in the south of Thailand is from November to March.
Philippines
Fotodom / Rex Features
You can live without a visa: 30 days.
The passport must be valid for: 6 months from the date of departure from the country.
When is the best time to go: to resorts in the center of the archipelago - all year round: it is always hot and humid here, and there is no pronounced seasonality. It is better to go to other islands from November to May. Remember that the rainy season is from June to October, and the greatest likelihood of typhoons is in August.
IMPORTANT
To enter these countries, you do not need to apply for a visa in advance. The main thing is a passport. But when going through passport control, you may be asked for additional documents, for example:
- return air ticket;
- hotel reservation confirmation;
- documents confirming solvency.
If you don’t have the necessary papers, you may not be allowed into the country.
So choose a country, prepare your documents and go!
Citizens of these states can visit Russia without obtaining a Russian visa. The same rules apply to Russian citizens planning to visit these countries.
Below are the maximum visa-free stay periods for each country:
| A country | Visa-free stay period | Came into force |
|---|---|---|
| Abkhazia | 26.04.2011 | |
| Azerbaijan | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days. | 03.07.1997 |
| Argentina | 18.03.2009 | |
| Armenia | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days. | 25.09.2000 |
| Belarus | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days. | 30.11.2000 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | For tourists - up to 30 days (if you have a tourist invitation) Business and private trips up to 90 days, original invitation required | 24.09.2007 |
| Brazil | The total period of stay within a period of 180 days should not exceed 90 days (the period of 180 days is counted from the moment of entry into the Russian Federation). | 26.11.2008 |
| Venezuela | The total period of stay within a period of 180 days should not exceed 90 days (the period of 180 days is counted from the moment of entry into the Russian Federation). | 26.11.2008 |
| Israel | The total period of stay within a period of 180 days should not exceed 90 days (the period of 180 days is counted from the moment of entry into the Russian Federation). | 20.03.2008 |
| Kazakhstan | 30.11.2000 | |
| Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan) | No more than 90 days from the moment of crossing the border. | 30.11.2000 |
| Colombia | The total period of stay within a period of 180 days should not exceed 90 days (the period of 180 days is counted from the moment of entry into the Russian Federation). | 13.03.2011 |
| Cuba | 03.12.1993 | |
| Macedonia | For tourists, the period of stay is no more than 30 days, for non-commercial purposes no more than 90 days. The basis for the entry of citizens is the presence of an original invitation certified by the competent authority. | 19.06.2008 |
| Moldova | 30.11.2000 | |
| Nicaragua | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days. The total period of stay without a visa, in each period of 180 days, is not more than 90 days. The original invitation is required. | 28.07.2009 |
| Peru | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days. The total period of stay without a visa, in each period of 180 days, is not more than 90 days. The original invitation is required. | 21.06.2011 |
| Serbia | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa for a period of no more than 30 days, for holders of biometric passports issued after April 8, 2008. | 20.02.2009 |
| USA | The process of receiving visa invitations has been simplified. The visas themselves have not been cancelled. The visa can be obtained for 3 years. | 09.09.2012 |
| Tajikistan | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa, for a period of no more than 90 days. | 30.11.2000 |
| Thailand | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa, for a period of no more than 30 days.The original invitation is required. | 13.12.2005 |
| Türkiye | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa for a period of no more than 30 days. To stay in the Russian Federation for more than 30 days, you must apply for a visa. | 16.04.2011 |
| Uzbekistan | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa, for a period of no more than 90 days. | 30.11.2000 |
| Ukraine | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa, for a period of no more than 90 days. | 16.01.1997 |
| Uruguay | The total period of stay within a period of 180 days should not exceed 90 days (the period of 180 days is counted from the moment of entry into the Russian Federation). | 27.09.2011 |
| Croatia | From April 1, 2013, citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries require a VISA for a one-time visit to Croatia for tourism purposes. | 01.04.2013 |
| Montenegro | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa for a period of no more than 30 days. Entry with original invitation. | 24.08.2009 |
| Chile | Entry into the Russian Federation without a visa for a period of no more than 90 days. The total period of stay without a visa in each period of 180 days is no more than 90 days. The original invitation is required. | 24.09.2010 |
| South Korea (Republic of Korea) | Entry into the Russian Federation for a period of no more than 60 days. The total period of stay in the Russian Federation should not exceed 90 days within 180 days. | 01.01.2014 |
Please note that the half-year calculation is carried out from the moment of the first entry under the visa-free regime.
Example: If a foreign citizen entered the Russian Federation for the first time on October 1, 2015, then for him the half-year will be from October 1, 2015 to March 28, 2016 (exactly 180 days) and during this period his total period of stay in the Russian Federation should not exceed 90 days. Violation of this simple rule may subsequently lead to a ban on entry into the Russian Federation for a period of 3 to 10 years.
Visa is a pressing issue, due to which many Russians are forced to cancel their vacation or change their destination. If you are already looking for visa-free countries for Russians in 2019, then you shouldn’t be told what problems you might encounter when getting it.
List of the most popular countries with a visa-free regime for Russians
There are several visa-free countries in the world for Russians in 2019, and if you visit them, you will definitely be satisfied. Beautiful places, amazing sights, clean beaches, etc.
Countries in Africa, America, Europe and Asia with visa-free visits for a long period
The list includes countries of the world that do not require a visa to visit, but require a foreign passport. We offer you a list of visa-free countries for Russians in 2019, where a beach holiday will be inexpensive.
| Azerbaijan | 90 days, registration within 3 days |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 1 month, return tickets required |
| Argentina | 3 months, air tickets, top-up account |
| Albania | from May 15 to November 1, 2017 - visa-free |
| Bahamas | 90 days |
| Barbados | 28 days |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 month, Europe |
| Botswana | 90 days, $300 to take with you |
| Brazil | 3 months, hotel booked |
| Venezuela | 90 days in half a year |
| Vanuatu | 1 month |
| Vietnam | 15 days, at least 30 days after previous entry |
| Haiti | 3 months, airport tax $60 |
| Guyana | 90 days, from November 27, 2015 became visa-free |
| Gambia | 56 days |
| Guatemala | 90 days |
| Honduras | 90 days |
| Hong Kong | 14 days |
| Grenada | 90 days |
| Georgia | 365 days |
| Guam | up to 45 days |
| Dominica | 21 day |
| Dominican Republic | 30 days |
| Israel | 90 days |
| Indonesia | 30 days, but previously they issued a visa at the border |
| Colombia | 90 days |
| Kyrgyzstan | 60 days, but previously there was entry with a Russian passport |
| Costa Rica | 30 days |
| Cuba | 90 days, subject to return tickets |
| Laos | 15 days |
| Mauritius | up to 60 days, but it was 90 |
| Macedonia | up to 90 days within six months |
| Macau | 30 days |
| Malaysia | 30 days |
| Maldives | 30 days |
| Morocco | 3 months |
| Micronesia | 30 days, return tickets |
| Moldova | entry with a foreign passport |
| Mongolia | 30 days, no more than 90 in total in each 180-day period |
| Namibia | 3 months |
| Nauru | 14 days |
| Nicaragua | 90 days |
| Niue | 30 days |
| Cook Islands | 31 days |
| Panama | 90 days |
| Paraguay | 90 days |
| Peru | 90 days |
| Salvador | up to 90 days |
| Seychelles | 30 days, and were with special. permission upon arrival |
| Swaziland | 1 month |
| Northern Mariana Islands | 45 days if return tickets are available |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | up to 3 months |
| Saint Lucia | up to 6 weeks |
| Serbia | 30 days, Europe |
| Tajikistan | entry with a foreign passport |
| Thailand | 30 days |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 90 days |
| Tunisia | up to 3 months |
| Türkiye | 60 days, Europe |
| Ukraine | entry with a foreign passport, 90 days and registration, more than 4,700 hryvnia with you |
| Uzbekistan | 90 days within 180, entry with a foreign passport |
| Uruguay | up to 90 days within six months |
| Fiji | 4 months, return tickets |
| Philippines | 30 days |
| Montenegro | 90 days, Europe, and before it was 30 |
| Chile | up to 90 days |
| Ecuador | 90 days |
| South Africa | as of March 30, 2017, the visa is officially canceled! 90 days |
| South Korea | 60 days, but not more than 90 days in six months |
| Jamaica | 90 days |
Several countries in China can be visited by “flight” or transit if desired.
List of countries that Russians can visit without a visa in transit for a short period of time
Such flights have their significant advantages. For example, we decided to go on vacation to Thailand, but when purchasing tickets, we noticed that there are transit tickets through China. So it turns out that we were heading to one country, but visit two. Typically, such flights are cheaper than direct flights.
But even here there are some tricks or rules. Each country has its own laws for such passengers, which are best known in advance. For example, China only requests tickets in English for transit. Another minus - be sure to check and count the time.
For a list of visa-free countries that you can visit in transit for a short period of time, see below.
Is China canceling visas?
China and Russia have been closely cooperating in various areas of the economy for several years. Likewise, the flow of tourists between countries is increasing every year. The only obstacle for tourists is obtaining a visa.
But not so long ago, the media reported the abolition of visas for visiting the Celestial Empire. So, to some extent, it can be considered a visa-free country for Russians in 2019, although the agreement only includes a few cities.
Similar attempts have been made more than once, as evidenced by constant negotiations between our countries.
From 01/01/2019, the Chinese authorities gave consent to tourists from 53 countries and 5 cities of China for a visa-free stay for 144 hours, the Chinese government announced this not long ago. Therefore, residents of Russia today can enter some cities for 144 hours:
- Kunming;
- Xiamen;
- Chengdu;
- Qingdao (Shandong Province);
- Wuhan.
Before the agreement was adopted, these five cities also had a visa-free regime, but the conditions of stay were limited to 72 hours and it was mandatory to arrive only at the airports of these places.
There is a condition - this is the presence of a ticket to travel to a third country. This regime is already in effect at airports and sea checkpoints. This especially applies to ports from where you can travel to Taiwan, South Korea and Japan - Qingdao and Xiamen.
If foreigners arrive in Qingdao, they have the right to travel around Shandong Province for 144 hours without a visa; in other cases, citizens of other countries cannot leave their host cities.
Today in China you can only visit Beijing, Dalian, Tianjin, Shenyang, Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou without a 6-day visa.
Simplified visa obtaining
A simplified visa regime means virtually visa-free entry into the country for Russian tourists in 2019, see the list below. The procedure for receiving it is simplified by the fact that you do not need to order, wait or worry about refusal.
List of countries with simplified visa regime
| A country | Mode | Residence | Passport expiration date |
| Egypt | Simplified | 30 days | 6 months |
| Jordan | Simplified | 30 days | 6 months |
| Qatar | Simplified | 14 days | 6 months |
| Kenya | Simplified | 90 days | 3 months |
| Nepal | Simplified | 30 days | 6 months |
| Oman | Simplified | 6 months | |
| Syria | Simplified | 14 days | 6 months |
| Sri Lanka | Simplified | 30 days | 6 months |
Countries where a visa must be issued at the border and how much it costs
| Bangladesh | 15 days | 50 $ | ||
| Bahrain | 14 days | 65 $ | ||
| Belize | up to 30 days | 50 $ | ||
| Bolivia | up to 30 days | 50 $ | ||
| Burundi ( bucks) |
30 days, subject to special permission from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs | 90 $ | ||
| East Timor | only at the international airport and seaport of Dili,
up to 30 days |
30 $ | ||
| Gabon | 30 days, visa is issued online in advance | 100 $ | ||
| Ghana | up to 90 days, subject to visa permission | 100 $ | ||
| Guinea-Bissau | 30 days, e-visa | 64 euros | ||
| Djibouti | 1 month | 90 $ | ||
| Egypt | 30 days, free “Sinai stamp” - 15 days | 25 $ | ||
| Zambia | 90 days tourist visa, 30 days business visa | 50 $ | ||
| Zimbabwe | 90 days tourist visa, 30 days business visa,
3 days - transit |
30 $ | ||
| India | 30 days if you have a visa permit issued
online, only at selected airports |
60 $ | ||
| Jordan | 30 days | 55$ | ||
| Iraq | 14 days, applies only to Kurdistan,
Visa permission required from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kurdistan Region |
|||
| Iran | 30 days, Kish and Qeshm islands do not require a visa,
but there were only 14 days, for tourist groups Traveling to Iran no longer requires a visa |
30-80 euros | ||
| Cape Verde | 30 days | 20 euros | ||
| Cambodia | 1 month | 35 $ | ||
| Qatar | 1 month, $1500 on card | 27 $ | ||
| Kenya | 3 months, from 09/01/2015 with eVisa, | 51 $ | ||
| Cyprus | 90 days free with proVisa issued online | |||
| China | only about. Hainan - up to 15 days, Dalian airport - transit 7 days,
a number of ground checkpoints for residents of border areas |
|||
| Comoros | 14 days | 50 $ | ||
| Kuwait | 1 month under a number of conditions - you need an invitation from
Kuwaiti tour operator |
30 $ | ||
| Lebanon | under a number of conditions; 3 months | |||
| Madagascar | 90 days | |||
| Mali | ||||
| Mauritania | 50$ | |||
| Mexico | up to 180 days, electronic permission is issued in advance | for free | ||
| Myanmar | if you have an eVisa, up to 28 days | 50 $ | ||
| Nepal | 90 days | 30-90 $ | ||
| Nicaragua | 90 days | 10 $, | ||
| Palau | 30 days | 50 $ | ||
| Paraguay | up to 90 days | |||
| Pitcairn | up to 14 days | 35 $ | ||
| Rwanda | 90 days | 100 $ | ||
| Samoa Western | 60 days | |||
| Sao Tome and Principe | if you have a visa issued online | 20 $ | ||
| Saint Helena Island | up to 183 days, does not apply to o. Ascension
and the Tristan da Cunha archipelago |
|||
| Senegal | became a visa, only through the consulate | |||
| Saint Vincent and Grenadines |
up to 30 days | |||
| Syria | up to 15 days | |||
| Singapore | 30 days e-visa, can transit for 96 hours | 40 $ | ||
| Somalia | 30 days | 50 $ | ||
| Suriname | 2 months; with permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Suriname | 30 $ | ||
| Tanzania | 90 days - tourist visa, 14 days - transit | 50 $ | ||
| Togo | 7 days, | 17 $ | ||
| Tonga | 31 days | for free | ||
| Tuvalu | 1 month | for free | ||
| Turkmenistan | 10 days, you need an invitation from an individual or
legal entity in Turkmenistan |
155 $ | ||
| Uganda | 90 days | |||
| Central Africa Russian Republic | 7 days | |||
| Sri Lanka | transit - up to 48 hours, tourist - up to 30 days | 30-35 $ | ||
| Eritrea | 1 month if you have a visa permit issued
host at the immigration service |
50 $ | ||
| Ethiopia | 1 month, only at the airport | 50 $ | ||
Attention! When crossing the border, the child must have a passport! Also, if there is no passport, but minors are included in the parents’ document, the simplified regime does not apply to them!
Documents for crossing the border
To successfully cross the Russian border, you need very few documents. The first and most important thing is to have a valid passport with free pages for subsequent stamps. Its period until completion should be at least 3-6 months.
To enter countries with a visa regime, of course, you will need a visa. To visit visa-free countries for Russians in 2019 (see the list above), you will probably have to apply for a special tourist card. To obtain a visa, each country has its own individual package of documentation.
It is advisable to have a health insurance policy. It is not only mandatory, but also very useful, because no one knows what can happen to you in a foreign country. A travel voucher is another useful document that will confirm that you have fully paid for your vacation, and it also states the availability of a reserved hotel room.
The Russian border requires a one-way ticket, but the country of arrival asks for a return or transit document.
If you are going on tour with a child, the consent of the other parent is not required today.
We hope that our lists will help you figure out which countries will be visa-free in 2019.
An unexpected vacation can be a pleasant prospect for a good time, but where can you go on vacation when the visa paperwork can take days or weeks? For such a case, you can choose a country from the list of tours for Russians prepared by me, where a visa is not required. No bureaucratic delays - what more could you want to start your vacation!
© / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
Bosnia and Herzegovina
You can enter the country for 30 days. Experienced tourists advise driving a personal car or renting one directly on the spot. Sarajevo will captivate you with its architectural diversity of numerous churches, mosques and churches. Attractions in the city are located at a relatively short distance, and walking around the city you can see everything.
Macedonia
You can buy a trip to Macedonia inexpensively from 17,000 rubles. The lack of sea is compensated by ski resorts. Be sure to include in your “things to see” list:
- Ohrid Lake
- national parks Galicica, Mavrovo and Pelister.
Grab your luck by crossing the Stone Bridge in Skopje, which has been preserved since the times of the ancient Romans. The stone city of Kuklica will truly excite the imagination.
© @_miyo / unsplash.com / CC BY 2.0
Serbia
From your trip to Serbia you will take away pleasant impressions not only of pristine nature, but also of kind, hospitable residents. Serbia is famous for its ski resorts, it is a favorite destination for hunters and fishermen, and the national parks offer all the conditions for active recreation.
Montenegro
If you are looking for where to go abroad without a visa, then Montenegro is a country that combines mountain peaks and the sea coast. People come here for ecotourism. It will be a surprise that nudism will be so popular on local beaches. Sea water here allows swimming from May to November. As throughout Europe, many buildings from the Middle Ages have been preserved here. You can enter Montenegro without a visa for up to 30 days.
Hot tours from Moscow without a visa
For travel without a visa pay attention to the countries of the post-Soviet space.
© jocelyn777 / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
Helpful advice
Save on housing by renting an apartment from a local with Airbnb. Get 2100 rub. as a gift for your first booking.
Azerbaijan
There is certainly something to see here, Baku has an amazing combination of ancient fortresses (Maiden Tower) and modern buildings (Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, which received the award for the best building in the world in 2014), and the Baku taxi is the style of the city. For autumn, choose outerwear with a hood so that strong winds do not interfere with walks around the city.
Georgia
A place where you want to return again and again. Georgia is charming with its special atmosphere, sound and harmony in everything - people, architecture, mountain landscapes, music, dancing, feasting. The cheapest tours to Georgia start from 20,000 rubles. Georgia has a large number of high-mountain (Gudauri, Bakuriani) and beach (Kobuleti, Batumi, Chakvi, Ureki) resorts that will appeal to tourists with any needs. Georgia will remain in your heart forever, and meanwhile you can stay here without a visa for up to one year.
The easiest way is to find last-minute tours from Moscow to visa-free countries.
South America and the West Indies are not cheap destinations, but I recommend keeping an eye out for hot deals on these destinations. In addition, if you have a lot of time, book excursion tours from country to country.
Bahamas
The song from Boney M will sound in your head throughout your vacation: “Bahama Mama Bahama, Bahama Mama”... And indeed, the Bahamas are palm trees, snow-white sand, clear waters, ideal for diving, rich evening and night life. You can stay here without a visa for up to three months.
© ricardo_mangual / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
Brazil
In Brazil, only trees don't dance. Immerse yourself in the world of dance, football, carnival. Enjoy superb views from Mount Corcovado and make your way to Iguazu Falls. The coast offers entertainment for every taste - hang gliding, surfing the waves on a board, diving. Russians can stay in Brazil for up to 90 days.
Dominican Republic
Unfortunately, tours to the Dominican Republic cannot be called cheap. But if you urgently need it in the summer, then this is the place for you! After all, this is where summer never ends. You can stay in the Dominican Republic without a visa for up to 1 month, the only thing is that at customs you will be asked to pay $20.
© VViktor / pixabay.com / CC BY 2.0
Cuba
In order to plunge into the world of salsa, it is enough to buy tickets, because citizens of the Russian Federation do not require a visa to visit Cuba for a stay of up to 30 days. Cuba is a very colorful country, everything here is surprising. Despite all the poverty, the people here are surprisingly happy. Here it is customary to dance in the street. Despite the high cost of flights, living in Cuba will be affordable for any Russian (considering that the average monthly salary here is $20).
Jamaica
Citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Jamaica for up to 30 days without obtaining visa documents. When you buy a tour to Jamaica, you will be accompanied by the song of Robertino Loretti, but upon arrival you will be imbued with the rhythms of reggae. Sun, ocean, warm sand - everything you need to just live! Considering the cost of the flight, this is not a place where you can rush for 3 days, try to budget as much time as possible into your vacation, and you will enjoy not rushing anywhere.
Morocco
For Russians, a visa is not required if the period of stay in the country is no more than 90 days. Morocco is famous for its divinely beautiful beaches and tropical nature. Here, modern skyscrapers and historical palaces coexist side by side. Holidays here are varied - serene enjoyment of the sun on the beach, rapid descents along the ski slopes, walks through the labyrinths of ancient Marrakesh.
© yotut / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
Seychelles
If you want a vacation like in the Bounty advertisement, then you are welcome! It is this direction that can be obtained from all tour operators when requesting a tour for a honeymoon. Here you can endlessly enjoy the sea, the beach, the sun, but for Russians a visa-free stay in this paradise is valid for only 30 days.
Tunisia
African motifs on the Mediterranean coast will make your trip unforgettable. Resort towns with their comfortable hotels are thought out to the smallest detail and tourists live here carefree. For Russians, a visa to Tunisia is not required for a trip of up to 90 days.
© AlexSky / pixabay.com / CC BY 2.0
Vietnam
Hong Kong, China
If you are planning a trip up to 14 days, then you don’t have to worry about a visa. Hong Kong will amaze you with its skyscrapers, constantly bustling life, which does not stop even at night. There are many interesting places here that allow you to appreciate the beauty of oriental culture.
Israel
Russians coming on holiday for up to 90 days do not require a visa. Israel is a center of attraction for pilgrims from all over the world. Israel is surrounded by 4 seas - the Red and Mediterranean, the Dead Sea and the Galilee, so there are no breaks in the swimming season. You can relax actively or recover in health resorts.
© best-biketours/ pixabay.com / CC BY 2.0
Indonesia
You can stay in the country of a thousand islands for up to 30 days without a visa. The nature of the islands has been preserved in its original form; this is where the best picturesque beaches and beautiful surfers are located.
Malaysia
Malaysia will open its doors to Russians for 30 days without the need for visas. Kuala Lumpur's skyscrapers are a hub of business, and coexist next to pristine beaches and ancient rain forests.
Thailand
One of the most popular destinations among Russians and residents of the CIS countries. When visiting Thailand for tourism purposes for up to 30 days, Russians do not require a visa. There is a very high level of service for tourists here, and there is a holiday for every budget. Sandy beaches, palm trees and a warm sea are guaranteed to you, even if you decide to go to the sea in October.
© / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
Türkiye
You can stay in the country for up to 2 months without the need for a visa. Just a three-hour flight from Moscow and picturesque beaches, the best hotels with spa salons and varied meals are at your service. Tourism development
South Korea
South Korea has become popular not only for vacation, but also for work. As a tourist, you can stay here for up to 60 days visa-free. You will only be amazed at the high-tech life of this country among many historical monuments and Buddhist temples.
Try to look for hot tours from St. Petersburg without a visa, if you live in nearby cities, sometimes it’s cheaper to get to St. Petersburg and then fly on a package tour. Directly from the northern capital you can go to the warm corners of Asia and Oceania.
Jordan
Allows Russian citizens to stay on its territory for 2, 3 or 6 months. The country’s historical past is rich in events, so it’s definitely worth booking an excursion, during which the guide will immerse you in the atmosphere of past centuries, and the holy places will give you strength.
© LoggaWiggler / pixabay.com / CC BY 2.0
Maldives
The Maldives is open to tourists and no visa is required for stays up to 30 days. An amazing country where an entire island is dedicated to an airport. This is where couples flock to have a wedding like in the most romantic melodramas. And it is here that you can forget about the existence of the big world and live every day calmly.
UAE
As soon as you arrive, your passport will be stamped with a free visa for up to 30 days. The UAE is an ideal destination for a holiday with children. Here everything is done to amaze the imagination and everything is done only with the constant word “most”.
Egypt
At the airport, for $25, a visa valid for up to 30 days will be stamped in your passport, and you can go on excursions to the pyramids and ancient temples. Golden sand and the sea are the main goal of tourists, but interesting entertainment awaits you in the desert - camel riding or jeep riding.
As you can see, the list turned out to be quite impressive. And depending on your vacation preferences, you can choose a suitable tour to one of the countries.
I have already talked quite a lot about those visa-free destinations that I liked and where I would like to go. But, to be honest, before I took up this topic, I thought that the number of countries that Russians could go to without a visa was very small. Literally, a dozen or two. In fact, there are many more of them.
List of visa-free entry countries for Russians
I made a selection of visa-free countries for Russian citizens and, for convenience, I divided the list by geographic location, separately highlighting the countries of the former USSR. That's where we'll start. There are only 12 of them, and conditionally they can also be represented in 2 groups.
CIS countries where you can go without a visa or passport
CIS countries, to enter which it is enough to present a general Russian passport or international passport:
- Abkhazia
- Belarus
- Kazakhstan
- South Ossetia
- Kyrgyzstan
Please note that when entering Kyrgyzstan, you must put a stamp in your international passport or in a special migration card if you are crossing the border with a Russian passport. The absence of such a seal may create problems when leaving the country or when checking documents within the country.
When visiting these countries with children you must present:
- children's birth certificates;
- Russian passport or international passport of the child;
- the parent’s international passport in which the child is registered (in some countries with a pasted-in photograph of a child over 6 years old);
- power of attorney for the removal of a child if he enters the country accompanied by third parties or with one of the parents.
Before traveling, it is necessary to clarify the information and special requirements that may be imposed when crossing the border of a particular country.
CIS countries that you can enter without a visa using a foreign passport
- Azerbaijan
- Armenia
- Georgia
- Uzbekistan
- Tajikistan
- Moldova
- Ukraine
You can stay on the territory of Ukraine for no more than 90 days in a 180-day period. You can enter the country only with a foreign passport (children under 14 years of age must also have their own foreign passports or be included in their parents’ passports).
To enter the territory of these states with children, similar documents are required as when entering the CIS countries with a Russian passport. Mandatory condition: the passport must contain a photograph of a child aged 6 years or older, if he is included in the parent’s passport.
Unfortunately, there are very few European countries to which you can travel without a visa - only 6.
- Türkiye
The period of stay in the territory without a visa is 60 days. At the same time, the number of entries is not limited, but the total time of stay of Russian citizens in Turkey for 180 days cannot be more than 90 days. To enter, you need a foreign passport, the validity of which expires no earlier than 4 months after return and which must have enough space for affixing exit and entry stamps, as well as a certain amount of money to confirm financial solvency, a travel agency voucher, a hotel reservation or a return ticket.
- Macedonia
Required documents: international passport with an expiration date no earlier than return from the country and medical insurance for the entire period of the trip around the country. For children under the age of 17 inclusive, who are traveling alone or accompanied by third parties, a certified power of attorney from their parents is required. When entering the country, your passport will be stamped right at the airport.
- Serbia
The most loyal country towards Russian tourists. All you need is a passport that is valid for at least 1 month from the end of your last trip. A special feature of staying in Serbia: all foreign citizens who stay on its territory for more than 2 days are required to register with the police at their place of stay. When staying in a hotel, this issue is dealt with by the hotel administration; if in a rented apartment, this is done by its owners.
- Albania
From April to October you can go on holiday to Albania without a visa. In other cases, to visit this country you will need to apply for a visa. To enter, you must present a valid passport. You will be able to stay in Albania for no more than 90 days after crossing the border.
- Montenegro
All you need is a valid passport (valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry into the country).
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
You can stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina for up to 30 days during each 60-day period from the date of first entry into the country if the purpose of your trip is tourism.
Required documents:
- a foreign passport with an expiration date of 3 months from the date of completion of the trip;
- a travel agency voucher, certified in the prescribed manner and indicating the hotel accommodation booked;
- original invitation from individuals or legal entities;
- tickets in case of transit.
You can clearly see the entire list of visa-free countries listed in this article, with deadlines and necessary documents in the table:
| A country | Term | Required documents |
|---|---|---|
| Abkhazia | up to 90 days | |
| Azerbaijan | up to 90 days | International passport valid for the duration of the trip |
| Albania | up to 90 days (only during the summer season) | International passport with a validity period of at least 6 months at the time of entry; return ticket or ticket to a third country |
| Armenia | up to 180 days | Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (valid only at Yerevan and Gyumri airports) or international passport |
| Belarus | up to 90 days | Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation or international passport |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | up to 30 days | A foreign passport valid for at least three months from the date of departure from the country; original travel agency voucher; return tickets; documents confirming solvency; medical insurance |
| Georgia | up to 365 days | International passport valid for the duration of the trip |
| Kazakhstan | up to 90 days | Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation or international passport |
| Kyrgyzstan | up to 90 days | Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation or international passport |
| Macedonia | up to 90 days | International passport; travel agency voucher or invitation from the host; medical insurance policy; proof of solvency |
| Moldova | up to 90 days | international passport |
| Serbia | up to 30 days | |
| Tajikistan | up to 90 days | international passport |
| Türkiye | up to 60 days | International passport valid for at least 6 months; sometimes a tourist voucher and return ticket |
| Uzbekistan | up to 90 days | International passport valid for the duration of the trip |
| Ukraine | up to 90 days | International passport; sometimes return tickets, documents confirming solvency and invitation of the host party |
| Montenegro | up to 90 days in summer and up to 30 days during the rest of the year | International passport valid for the duration of the trip |
| South Ossetia | up to 90 days | Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation or international passport, return ticket |
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