US passport · Russia
Do US citizens need a visa for Russia?
In brief
Yes. US passport holders need a visa for Russia, arranged before travel.
Russia visa processing time for US citizens: Under the 2011 Russia-US visa agreement, Russian consulates as a rule decide visa applications from US citizens within 15 calendar days, or within 3 working days or less in urgent cases. Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, checked .
Conditions: under the 2011 Russia–US visa agreement, multiple-entry visas are as a rule issued valid for up to 36 months.
Вне зависимости от кратности полученных виз суммарный срок пребывания иностранного гражданина на территории Российской Федерации не может превышать 90 дней в течение каждого периода в 180 дней.
In English: Regardless of the number of entries on the visas obtained, a foreign citizen's total stay in the Russian Federation may not exceed 90 days in each 180-day period.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 requiredunder the 2011 Russia–US visa agreement, multiple-entry visas are as a rule issued valid for up to 36 months |
|---|---|
| Stay | The Foreign Ministry's visa page says that, whatever the number of entries on a visa, total stays may not exceed 90 days in each 180-day period (work and study visas excepted).1 |
| Validity and entries | Under the 2011 Russia-US visa agreement, which the Foreign Ministry still lists, US citizens are as a rule issued multiple-entry business, private, humanitarian or tourist visas valid for 36 months, on a reciprocal basis.3 |
| Official fee | A visa fee is charged on a reciprocal basis (amounts are published by each consulate) and is not refunded if the visa is refused.1 |
| Official processing | Under the 2011 Russia-US visa agreement, Russian consulates as a rule decide visa applications from US citizens within 15 calendar days, or within 3 working days or less in urgent cases.3 |
| Where to apply | US citizens cannot use Russia's e-visa; apply for a regular visa at the Russian consular office for your place of permanent residence, filling in the form online at visa.kdmid.ru and handing in the documents in person.1 |
Do US citizens need a visa for Russia?
The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation lists the US among the countries whose nationals need a visa before they travel. Conditions: under the 2011 Russia–US visa agreement, multiple-entry visas are as a rule issued valid for up to 36 months.
“Вне зависимости от кратности полученных виз суммарный срок пребывания иностранного гражданина на территории Российской Федерации не может превышать 90 дней в течение каждого периода в 180 дней.”
In English: “Regardless of the number of entries on the visas obtained, a foreign citizen's total stay in the Russian Federation may not exceed 90 days in each 180-day period.”
Conditions and exceptions
On arrival every foreigner, children included, fills in a migration card; border control keeps the entry part, and you keep the exit part 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 the migration cards (coupons 'A') stamped on entry are collected by border control officers on entry into the Russian Federation. The exit parts (coupons 'B') stamped on entry are kept by the foreign citizens for their whole stay in the Russian Federation and handed to border control officers on departure.Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checked
Russia visa types for US citizens
Under the 2011 Russia-US visa agreement, which the Foreign Ministry still lists, US citizens are as a rule issued multiple-entry business, private, humanitarian or tourist visas valid for 36 months, on a reciprocal basis.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checkedThe Foreign Ministry's visa page says that, whatever the number of entries on a visa, total stays may not exceed 90 days in each 180-day period (work and study visas excepted).
Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checked
How to apply
US citizens cannot use Russia's e-visa; apply for a regular visa at the Russian consular office for your 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 US
In the US, Russian visas are handled by the Embassy's consular section in Washington, D.C. (2641 Tunlaw Rd NW) and the Consulates General in Houston and New York.
Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checked
Fee
A visa fee is charged on a reciprocal basis (amounts are published by each consulate) and 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
Under the 2011 Russia-US visa agreement, Russian consulates as a rule decide visa applications from US citizens within 15 calendar days, or within 3 working days or less in urgent cases.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation · checked
Documents and entry checks
What changed
- Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.
FAQ
Is Russia visa-free for US citizens now?
No. US citizens need a visa before they travel.
How much does a Russia visa cost for US citizens?
A visa fee is charged on a reciprocal basis (amounts are published by each consulate) and is not refunded if the visa is refused.
Can I get a Russia visa in 7 days?
Under the 2011 Russia-US visa agreement, Russian consulates as a rule decide visa applications from US citizens within 15 calendar days, or within 3 working days or less in urgent cases.
Other trips on a US 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, documents, fees and visa types
- Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation: how to apply
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (Agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States on the simplification of visa formalities, 2011, as published by the Consular Department): visa types and processing time
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (note of 23 August 2012 to the US Embassy: recommended documents for visa applications, as published by the Consular Department): documents
- Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation: entry conditions