Starting this year, new rules of stay in the Russian Federation apply to all foreign citizens.
Who is concerned with the obligation to submit an application:
All foreign citizens are required to submit an electronic application for planned entry through Gosuslugi or the ruID application, except:
- citizens of visa-eligible countries;
- having a temporary residence permit;
- those who have a temporary residence permit for the purpose of obtaining education;
- having a residence permit (residence permit).
How to plan entry depending on the type of border crossing:
1. If citizens of your country need a visa to enter Russia, apply for it. Submitting an application through Gosuslugi/ruID is not required in this case.
2. If you have visa—free entry, you must arrange a trip in advance in the ruID application or on the Gosuslugi portal and be sure to submit biometrics. You cannot arrange a trip without registering biometrics.
With each new trip to the registered biometrics, you will need to take a photo again.
Two ways to apply before a visa-free trip:
1) Registration via the ruID application (the main method):
Download and install the ruID app:
Register in the application or log in with a username and password from Gosuslugi. When registering, be sure to specify the details of the document with which you plan to cross the border of the Russian Federation.
,Apply for a trip:
- The application must be submitted no later than 72 hours and no earlier than 90 days before the date of the trip.
- If there are documented circumstances requiring urgent entry (emergency treatment, serious illness, death of a close relative), the application can be completed no later than 4 hours in advance. In this case, you will need to upload photos or scans of medical documents or death certificates of close relatives.
- The validity period of the application for entry is 90 days from the date of its submission.
Fill in the information about the trip:
- the country you are leaving;
- purpose and dates of the trip;
- the regions you plan to visit.
Submit your biometrics directly in the ruID app:
- Take a picture;
- take a photo of your identity document;
- record the voice.
Wait for the Interior Ministry to check the entry restrictions, and the result will be displayed on the main screen in the ruID app.
2) Registration through Gosuslugi (if biometrics is already registered in Russia)
Log in to Gosuslugi with your username and password or register. Go to the service and fill in the trip information. The process is similar to filling in the ruID app.:
- Take a photo of your face to verify your identity using your existing biometrics.
- Send an application.
- Wait for the Interior Ministry to check the entry restrictions, and the result will appear in your merchant profile.
Mandatory actions after entering the territory of Russia:
1) Complete the registration of biometrics (within 10 days)
Be sure to complete the registration of biometric data in the Unified Biometric System within 10 days of entry.
How to do it:
- Visit a bank branch with identification documents.
- Take a photo and record your voice with the help of a bank employee.
- Wait for the registration of biometrics in the EBS to be completed.
2) Confirm your account on Gosuslugi
A verified account entitles you to:
- receive all available public services online;
- pay state duties;
- apply for a Russian SIM card (you will need a verified account and biometrics).
What needs to be done:
- Choose a convenient bank branch or MFC office.
- Visit it personally, taking with you an identity document and SNILS.
- An employee will help you verify your account.
- If you do not have a SNILS yet, you can apply for it here at the MFC or at the Social Fund of Russia (SFR) upon presentation of an identity card.
- After confirming your account, a QR code with your personal data will be automatically generated in the ruID application.
3) Apply for a Russian SIM card
To issue a new or reissue an old SIM card, contact your mobile operator's office. You must have with you:
- passport and its notarized translation into Russian;
- SNILS;
- a verified account on Gosuslugi;
- verified biometrics;
- the email address that you have access to;
- The IMEI of the device where you plan to use the SIM card.
The employee will draw up a contract — study and sign it. You can activate the SIM card at the operator's office or independently on the Public Services portal.
The full list of requirements is here.
Contact us if you have any questions. Our specialists will help you ASAP!