The updated list of visa-free countries for Russians in 2021 shows that the situation with visas for residents of the Russian Federation is much better than it might seem at first glance. Yes, getting a Schengen visa can sometimes be long, expensive and inconvenient. But this is not a reason to refuse to travel, because holders of a Russian passport can visit more than 100 countries - almost half the world! - without applying for a visa in advance. And traveling only to visa-free countries can take half your life! And to start traveling you don’t even need a foreign passport, because with a civil passport, Russians can visit as many as 5 neighboring countries.
Find out how and where Russians can travel without a visa or without a passport.
Visa-free entry with a Russian civil passport
Abkhazia | Armenia | Belarus | Kazakhstan | Kyrgyzstan | Tajikistan
Be sure to check the latest travel information during COVID-19: some countries may have special requirements, and some have suspended the issuance of tourist visas and temporarily eliminated visa waivers.
Abkhazia
Visa-free entry with a Russian passport for up to 90 days.
Passport validity period : valid at the time of entry.
Visa-free Abkhazia has a lot of natural beauty, and Lake Ritsa is in the top three
Armenia
Visa-free entry with a Russian passport for up to 90 days. You can enter Armenia with an internal passport only through airports; at land borders you will need a foreign passport.
Passport validity period : valid until the end of the trip.
Belarus
Visa-free entry with an internal passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation for up to 90 days.
Passport validity period : valid at the time of entry.
Kazakhstan
Visa-free entry with a Russian passport for up to 90 days.
Passport validity period : valid at the time of entry.
Kyrgyzstan
Visa-free entry with an internal passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation. Citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in the country without registration for up to 90 days.
Passport validity period : valid until the end of the trip.
States that have closed entry for Russians without a passport
Several years ago, the list of countries without a foreign passport, open to visits by Russians with general passports, also included Tajikistan and Ukraine. Today, in order to make a tourist trip to these countries, citizens of the Russian Federation do not yet have to obtain an entry visa. But you will have to get a passport.
What is required for a trip to Tajikistan
While maintaining a visa-free regime with the Russian Federation, Tajikistan allows Russians to stay in the country for up to 90 days, but you cannot enter here on vacation without a foreign passport. If you plan to stay for more than three months, then you need to apply for a visa.
When going through passport control, you need to fill out a migration card (one half of it remains with the border guards, the other is issued to the tourist), a customs declaration (in two copies) and present a valid Russian passport. Children must have a birth certificate, their own passport or be included in the parent's passport.
Under these conditions, entry into Tajikistan is open. After entry, you must register at your place of residence within 3 days.
Russians' trip to Ukraine: what you should know
Crossing the Russian-Ukrainian border is becoming increasingly difficult. The visa-free regime has been preserved for now, but it will not be possible to travel from Russia to Ukraine without a foreign passport: since 2015, the Ukrainian authorities have canceled entry into the country for Russians with an internal passport. To enter Ukraine, you must have an old or new passport with you.
The procedure for entering Ukraine has changed since 01.01. 2021 The National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) included the Russian Federation among the countries at migration risk and introduced biometric control at the border. Russians entering Ukraine today with paper passports must go through the procedure of submitting biometric data. Upon arrival at their destination, they must register with local authorities.
The period of stay without a visa is 90 days every six months. A prerequisite for the entry of Russian citizens into Ukraine is a clear argumentation of the purpose of the visit. According to the decision of the National Security and Defense Council, tourists from the Russian Federation who wish to come to Ukraine must fill out an online form in the electronic notification system a month before the visit. This system has not yet started working.
The entry of Russians became even more complicated after the introduction of a 30-day period from November 26. 2021 in 10 border regions of Ukraine under martial law. Foreign men aged 16 to 60 receive special attention from border guards. The border service more carefully checks documents, finds out the purpose of the visit, checks databases, conducts an interview, and then makes a decision to ban or allow entry.
Russians have the opportunity to enter with an internal passport of the Russian Federation only into the territories of the Lugansk and Donetsk regions not controlled by the government of Ukraine, but it should be noted that this action falls under Art. 331 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (from 3 to 5 years of imprisonment).
Peculiarities
Belarus has the simplest border controls. Thanks to the above-mentioned cooperation agreement, a Russian citizen can cross the border using only an internal passport, and a child under 14 years old can cross the border using a birth certificate. But you shouldn’t feel completely at ease - if you find yourself in Belarus in your car without international insurance, you will face a $200 fine. And this is far from the only such nuance.
Read also: Do residents of the Russian Federation need a foreign passport to travel to Turkey?
If a child can come to Belarus using a birth certificate, then in the Case of Abkhazia he will not be able to do this. Children under 14 years of age must already have their own passports - these are the rules of border control. If you could previously enter your child into old-style international passports, this trick no longer works with new biometric documents. But in general, crossing the border with Abkhazia is also not particularly difficult.
Reasons for such possibilities
Of course, not every country will agree to provide such conditions for residents of the Russian Federation. This usually happens when two states have entered into an international cooperation agreement. The consequence of such an agreement is the weakening of border controls - they become rather symbolic, and residents of the country party to the agreement are quickly allowed to leave the border.
Read also: Do I need to change my passport if I change my last name?
A striking example is Belarus - this state concluded a similar agreement with the Russian Federation, after which they turned into a kind of “union state”. Accordingly, the borders of these countries are quite blurry, and entering Belarus is not a problem for a Russian. But at the same time, many rules remain, such as checking luggage and some others.
In addition, similar concessions can be found in the case of so-called “resort states”. The local government is extremely interested in the constant influx of tourists, and is trying to free them from unnecessary paperwork. People will prefer to vacation where they can get without ten hours of standing in line and grueling document checks, which is why many states are canceling not only the visa regime, but also foreign passports.
The latest clear example is Türkiye, which has been severely affected by the economic crisis in Russia. In 2014, half as many people flew to Turkey for vacation as in the previous season, which seriously worried the government. The President even wanted to allocate subsidies from the budget for Russian tourists so that next summer they would choose Turkish resorts from among all the options for a seaside holiday.
But things didn’t work out with subsidies, and instead the government proposed canceling foreign passports for Russians. This rule will apply not only in summer, but all year round. As before, registration at the place of stay will be required only after 60 days. Plans to introduce this law appeared in the spring of 2021, but do not think that in the summer of 2021 you will be able to go to sea without a foreign passport - the project is still in development.
Where can you go with a visa from other countries 2021
There are several countries for which you do not need to obtain a visa if you have entry permits from other countries. This rule often applies to closely located neighboring countries. Thus, in one trip, without unnecessary paperwork, you can visit several countries at once.
Cheap flights
Last minute tours
| № | A country | In the presence of |
| 1 | Albania | Schengen multiple visa, US and UK visas |
| 2 | Bulgaria | Double or multiple entry visas for Romania, Cyprus and Croatia |
| 3 | Ireland | UK visas |
| 4 | Zambia | Kaza visa |
| 5 | Zaimbabwe | Kaza visa |
| 6 | Oman | With UAE visa |
| 7 | Romania | With a double or Schengen multiple entry visa, national visas of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia |
| 8 | French Guiana | Schengen |
| 9 | Croatia | With a double or Schengen multiple entry visa, national visas of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania |
In this article, you learned about visa-free countries for Russians in 2021: the list of destinations is constantly changing. The list of world powers with free entry is expanding. For travelers, the absence of a visa means, first of all, freedom of choice and freedom of movement. And it’s also a great opportunity to fly quickly using great deals from airlines or last-minute tours. All that remains is to decide on a place where you can go without a visa from Russia.
If changes occur during 2021, I will add to the list of countries for visa-free entry.
Have a nice trip!
About the author: Ekaterina
On the pages of my blog you will find information about the places I have been, secrets and life hacks of independent travel.
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Russian resorts
Without a foreign passport, Russian residents can visit Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Ossetia and Tajikistan. Until 2021, Russians could enjoy Ukrainian resorts on the Black and Azov Seas. Due to the tense situation between the governments of the countries, in January 2021, the authorities introduced the mandatory presence of foreign passports when crossing the Russian-Ukrainian border.
However, complicated economic and political relations between neighboring countries, as well as the introduction of a passport regime, do not mean that Russians will not be able to vacation at sea. Those wishing to visit seaside resorts can go to the Kaliningrad region. Sanatoriums and beaches on the Baltic coast are famous for their high level of service, as well as affordable prices. The sea here has an amazing healing effect.
Another option is to visit Sochi. A wonderful resort with developed infrastructure will delight Russians in summer and winter. It's always interesting and fun here.
Many Russians prefer boat trips. This year, residents of the Russian Federation have the opportunity to go on a cruise to 5 cities located on the Black Sea coast. Odessa was replaced by Istanbul, so travel participants will be able to spend 2 days in Turkey without foreign passports. However, it is important to understand that members of the tour group should not be absent from the group, and are also required to always have temporary passes with them.
The Russian Federation is expanding its spheres of influence and signing treaties and union agreements with other countries that simplify the procedure for crossing borders and staying abroad.
Where to go without a passport
Many tourists are faced with the fact that their vacation is just around the corner, but it takes three months to obtain a passport. I want to go on vacation, see the sights of other countries, or sunbathe and swim in the sea. Where to go without the necessary document? So far, you can enter six countries without a passport: Ukraine, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Abkhazia, Tajikistan.
1
Crimea is a heavenly climate and the southernmost peninsula of Russia. There is always a large influx of vacationers here in the summer, because the Black Sea coast has excellent places and a large selection of tours. No one will be left indifferent: clean air, beauty, nature of the area and the endless Black Sea. Lovers of sea holidays do not have to go abroad; they can have a great holiday in their own country.
2
There are many great holiday destinations in Ukraine. The Sea of Azov is warm and shallow, very healthy for children. “Green” holiday in Transcarpathia or getting to know the surroundings of the ancient city of Lviv. Excursions in Kyiv to ancient mansions, temples and monasteries will delight inquisitive tourists. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is the soul of Kyiv.
3
Belarus is famous for its health resorts, which are located near bodies of water, right in the forest. Nearby there are healing muds and springs with mineral water. Excursions to large cities with visits to castles, ancient monasteries, fortresses and cathedrals are popular among tourists. The most famous historical site in Belarus is Khatyn. Every year there is a large influx of tourists.
4
The number of vacationers in Kazakhstan is growing every year. There is a lot of interesting things to do here and you can have a great rest both in winter and in summer. The Altai Mountains are an excellent ski resort. Fans of winter holidays will be pleased with the accommodation conditions, service and good ski slopes. In the summer, this country is visited by travelers who want to taste architectural and archaeological monuments. Anyone interested in space makes a special trip to the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
5
Kyrgyzstan will amaze tourists with its pure nature, waterfalls, high mountains with glaciers, clear lakes and large meadows. If you decide to travel to this country, then you should not miss: the beautiful Merzbacher Lake, Issyk-Kul and the modern city with rich traditions - Bishkek.
6
Abkhazia is a country for lovers of relaxation by the sea. Prices and quality of service at the resorts of this country will please even demanding tourists. In addition to all this, Abkhazia has many natural attractions: Lake Ritsa, the Reprua River, the Gegsky Waterfall.
7
For mountain lovers, a holiday in Tajikistan is suitable; it is best to start such a holiday in the Palmyra mountains. Car trips to the mountains along the 700 km long road are popular there, and there is also the opportunity for climbing. Anyone who wants to swim and sunbathe should visit the Kairakkum reservoir, an excellent place for a beach holiday.
You can find a way out of any current situation, despite the fact that the tourist does not have a passport, you can still choose a vacation to your liking.
