British passport · Russia
Do British citizens need a visa for Russia?
In brief
Yes. British passport holders need a visa for Russia, arranged before travel.
Russia visa processing time for British citizens: Russia's visa regulation sets a maximum processing time of 20 working days from the day you hand in a complete application, except where federal law provides otherwise. Source: Government of the Russian Federation, Regulation No. 335 of 9 June 2003 on visas, checked .
Для въезда в Российскую Федерацию иностранного гражданина или лица без гражданства необходима виза. При наличии соглашения возможен въезд в Российскую Федерацию иностранных граждан без виз.
In English: A foreign citizen or stateless person needs a visa to enter the Russian Federation. Where there is an agreement, foreign citizens may enter without a visa.Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Checked 1 Nov 2026Source: Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian FederationReport a change
Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.
ContentsIn brief
At a glance
| Access | Visa required |
|---|---|
| Stay | Whatever the number of entries on your visa, you may stay in Russia for at most 90 days in each 180-day period (work and study visas excepted).1 |
| Validity and entries | Business visas are issued for one or two entries for up to 3 months or for multiple entries for up to a year, tourist visas for one or two entries for up to 3 months or multiple entries for up to 6 months, and private visas for up to 3 months or, multiple-entry, up to a year.1 |
| Official fee | A visa fee is charged on a reciprocal basis, with the rates published by the Russian consulate you apply to, and it is not refunded if the visa is refused.1 |
| Official processing | Russia's visa regulation sets a maximum processing time of 20 working days from the day you hand in a complete application, except where federal law provides otherwise.3Under a 1989 UK–USSR memorandum on visas that the Foreign Ministry still lists for the UK, applications for trips of up to 3 months are normally answered within 14 working days.4 |
| Where to apply | British citizens cannot use Russia's e-visa, so they apply for a regular visa at the Russian consular office for their place of permanent residence, filling in the form online at visa.kdmid.ru and handing in the documents in person.1 |
Do British citizens need a visa for Russia?
The UK is not on the exemption lists, and the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation says that all other nationals need a visa before they travel.
“Для въезда в Российскую Федерацию иностранного гражданина или лица без гражданства необходима виза. При наличии соглашения возможен въезд в Российскую Федерацию иностранных граждан без виз.”
In English: “A foreign citizen or stateless person needs a visa to enter the Russian Federation. Where there is an agreement, foreign citizens may enter without a visa.”
Conditions and exceptions
Every foreigner, children included, fills in a migration card on arrival; border control keeps the entry half and you keep the exit half until you leave.
Миграционная карта заполняется на каждого иностранного гражданина независимо от возраста. ... Заполненные въездные части миграционных карт (талоны "А") с проставленными в них отметками о въезде изымаются должностными лицами органа пограничного контроля у владельцев при въезде в Российскую Федерацию. Выездные части миграционных карт (талоны "В") с проставленными в них отметками о въезде хранятся у иностранных граждан в течение всего периода их пребывания на территории Российской Федерации и сдаются должностным лицам органа пограничного контроля при выезде из Российской Федерации.
In English: A migration card is filled in for every foreign citizen regardless of age. ... The completed entry parts of migration cards (coupons "A") stamped on entry are taken by border control officers when the holders enter the Russian Federation. The exit parts (coupons "B") stamped on entry stay with the foreign citizens for their whole stay in the Russian Federation and are handed to border control officers on leaving the Russian Federation.Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checkedEvery foreigner must register at the place of stay within 7 working days of arrival; hotels do this automatically for their guests.
Migration registration of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation is a mandatory procedure for any foreign citizen who has entered the territory of Russia under a visa or visa-free procedure for legal stay in the territory of the Russian Federation. To this end, it is necessary to submit a notification of arrival at the place of stay within 7 working days. ... In case you stay in a hotel, migration registration is carried out automatically by the hotel staff
Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checked
Russia visa types for British citizens
Whatever the number of entries on your visa, you may stay in Russia for at most 90 days in each 180-day period (work and study visas excepted).
Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checkedBusiness visas are issued for one or two entries for up to 3 months or for multiple entries for up to a year, tourist visas for one or two entries for up to 3 months or multiple entries for up to 6 months, and private visas for up to 3 months or, multiple-entry, up to a year.
Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checked
How to apply
British citizens cannot use Russia's e-visa, so they apply for a regular visa at the Russian consular office for their place of permanent residence, filling in the form online at visa.kdmid.ru and handing in the documents in person.
Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checked
How to apply from the UK
In the UK, the Russian consular offices are the Embassy's consular section at 5 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QS, and the Consulate General at 58 Melville Street, Edinburgh EH3 7HF.
Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checked
Fee
A visa fee is charged on a reciprocal basis, with the rates published by the Russian consulate you apply to, and it is not refunded if the visa is refused.
Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checked
These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.
Processing time
Russia's visa regulation sets a maximum processing time of 20 working days from the day you hand in a complete application, except where federal law provides otherwise.
Government of the Russian Federation, Regulation No. 335 of 9 June 2003 on visas · checkedUnder a 1989 UK–USSR memorandum on visas that the Foreign Ministry still lists for the UK, applications for trips of up to 3 months are normally answered within 14 working days.
Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checked
Documents and entry checks
What changed
- Since 11 January 2025, a Russian visa also lets you enter, stay in and travel through Belarus for as long as it is valid, under the Russia–Belarus agreement on mutual recognition of visas. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus · checked
- Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.
FAQ
Is Russia visa-free for British citizens now?
No. British citizens need a visa before they travel.
How much does a Russia visa cost for British citizens?
A visa fee is charged on a reciprocal basis, with the rates published by the Russian consulate you apply to, and it is not refunded if the visa is refused.
Can I get a Russia visa in 7 days?
Russia's visa regulation sets a maximum processing time of 20 working days from the day you hand in a complete application, except where federal law provides otherwise. Under a 1989 UK–USSR memorandum on visas that the Foreign Ministry still lists for the UK, applications for trips of up to 3 months are normally answered within 14 working days.
Other trips on a British passport
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation: entry rule, how to apply, visa types, documents and fees
- Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation: how to apply
- Government of the Russian Federation, Regulation No. 335 of 9 June 2003 on visas (published by the Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry): processing time
- Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (text of the USSR–UK Memorandum of Understanding on visas, London, 6 April 1989): processing time
- Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation: entry conditions
- Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (e-visa FAQ): entry conditions
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (the other party to the agreement): changes