Which countries are the borders of the Russian Federation open with in 2021?
In accordance with the Order of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 635-r, communication between the Russian Federation and the following countries has now been resumed:
- Great Britain
- Tanzania
- Türkiye
- Switzerland
- Egypt
- Maldives
- United Arab Emirates
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- The Republic of Korea
- Cuba
- Serbia
- Japan
- Seychelles
- Ethiopia
- Vietnam
- India
- Qatar
- Finland
- Azerbaijan
- Armenia
Thus, foreign citizens who are citizens of these countries or who have a residence permit in these countries have the right to enter the territory of the Russian Federation. It is necessary to enter the Russian Federation from the country of which the foreigner is a citizen or in which he has a residence permit.
Entry of foreigners into Russia - latest news: with which countries the borders of the Russian Federation are open
and on what basis are foreign citizens allowed to enter Russia in 2021
The article describes in detail the situation with the entry of foreign citizens into Russia in 2021 and the latest changes related to the opening of the borders of the Russian Federation with other countries, as well as on what basis foreign citizens can enter Russia, and with which countries the borders of the Russian Federation are already open.
Which countries are the borders of the Russian Federation open with in 2021?
In accordance with the Order of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 635-r, communication between the Russian Federation and the following countries has now been resumed:
- Great Britain
- Tanzania
- Türkiye
- Switzerland
- Egypt
- Maldives
- United Arab Emirates
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- The Republic of Korea
- Cuba
- Serbia
- Japan
- Seychelles
- Ethiopia
- Vietnam
- India
- Qatar
- Finland
- Azerbaijan
- Armenia
Thus, foreign citizens who are citizens of these countries or who have a residence permit in these countries have the right to enter the territory of the Russian Federation.
It is necessary to enter the Russian Federation from the country of which the foreigner is a citizen or in which he has a residence permit.
Borders with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are open
From 02/01/2021 to 03/01/2021, the Russian Federation temporarily opens its borders to countries that are members of the Eurasian Economic Union.
In other words, from February 1, 2021 to March 1, 2021, the borders with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia will be opened and the list of points for entry into the Russian Federation will be expanded, that is, it will be possible to arrive in Russia from these countries through the following checkpoints:
- Anapa (Vityazevo Airport)
- Vladivostok (Knevichi Airport)
- Grozny, Chechen Republic (Airport "Severny")
- Ekaterinburg (Koltsovo Airport)
- Moscow (Zhukovsky Airport)
- Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan
- Kaliningrad (Khrabrovo Airport)
- Krasnodar (Pashkovsky Airport)
- Krasnoyarsk (Emelyanovo Airport)
- Moscow (Vnukovo Airport)
- Moscow (Domodedovo)
- Moscow (Sheremetyevo Airport)
- Nizhnekamsk (Begishevo Airport)
- Novosibirsk (Tolmachevo Airport)
- Rostov-on-Don (Platov Airport)
- Samara (Kurumoch Airport)
- St. Petersburg (Pulkovo Airport)
- Sochi
- Ufa
- Chkalovsky, Moscow region
Important!
To cross the border, it is necessary for a foreign citizen to have the “Travel without COVID-19” application installed. The application must include a COVID-19 test result (negative).
The “Travel without COVID-19” application must be used only by citizens of the EAEU countries who enter the Russian Federation between February 1 and March 1, 2021.
How to enter Russia in 2021 for foreign citizens of other states: grounds for foreigners to enter the Russian Federation
Foreign citizens with a passport or residence permit of the country with which the borders are open can enter the Russian Federation in 2021.
Other foreign citizens must have humanitarian grounds to enter the Russian Federation. Currently the following can enter the territory of the Russian Federation:
- one-time foreign citizens with a residence permit of the Russian Federation;
- foreigners for treatment (if there is an invitation from a medical organization indicating the period of treatment);
- foreign highly qualified specialists (HQS);
- foreign citizens for caring for sick close relatives (parents, children, spouses);
- citizens of visa-free countries due to the death of a close relative;
Important!
Kinship and circumstances of entry (illness, death) must be documented.
- Citizens who have received a certificate of participation in the State Program for the Resettlement of Compatriots;
- Citizens of Turkmenistan who have received permission to resettle in the Russian Federation;
- Citizens of South Ossetia and Abkhazia;
- Citizens of Belarus (railway service opened from 02/08/2021)
- Citizens who are permanently registered in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine.
Share on social media networks:
Borders with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are open
From 02/01/2021 to 03/01/2021, the Russian Federation temporarily opens its borders to countries that are members of the Eurasian Economic Union.
In other words, from February 1, 2021 to March 1, 2021, the borders with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia will be opened and the list of points for entry into the Russian Federation will be expanded, that is, it will be possible to arrive in Russia from these countries through the following checkpoints:
- Anapa (Vityazevo Airport)
- Vladivostok (Knevichi Airport)
- Grozny, Chechen Republic (Airport "Severny")
- Ekaterinburg (Koltsovo Airport)
- Moscow (Zhukovsky Airport)
- Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan
- Kaliningrad (Khrabrovo Airport)
- Krasnodar (Pashkovsky Airport)
- Krasnoyarsk (Emelyanovo Airport)
- Moscow (Vnukovo Airport)
- Moscow (Domodedovo)
- Moscow (Sheremetyevo Airport)
- Nizhnekamsk (Begishevo Airport)
- Novosibirsk (Tolmachevo Airport)
- Rostov-on-Don (Platov Airport)
- Samara (Kurumoch Airport)
- St. Petersburg (Pulkovo Airport)
- Sochi
- Ufa
- Chkalovsky, Moscow region
Important!
To cross the border, it is necessary for a foreign citizen to have the “Travel without COVID-19” application installed. The application must include a COVID-19 test result (negative).
The “Travel without COVID-19” application must be used only by citizens of the EAEU countries who enter the Russian Federation between February 1 and March 1, 2021.
Open entry into the Russian Federation: what is needed for this?
- Determine the reason for the ban on entry into the Russian Federation.
It’s like with a disease, you need to make a diagnosis in order to begin proper treatment.
If we incorrectly determine the reasons for closing entry into the Russian Federation, then further actions aimed at removing it will be useless. There are different situations: sometimes the client says that he knows the reason for the ban and brings a deportation order, sometimes the client says that he does not know why the ban is, he only guesses about it. To determine this, you need to make a request to the FMS (Ministry of Internal Affairs). This is done in writing, the government agency will answer us for the reason for the ban. After this, the probability of a positive outcome of the process should be assessed.
- Don't miss the appeal deadline.
This is one of the most important conditions. If we let it pass, it will be very difficult to lift the entry ban after that. It will be necessary to resolve two issues: to restore the period for appeal and to look for reasons why the entry ban can be lifted. To appeal against deportation you are given 10 days (calendar, not working days), to appeal against deportation and a decision to deny entry – 3 months. These deadlines are clearly established by law, not more than a day. If suddenly you have already missed them, then you definitely need to contact a migration lawyer.
- Contact an immigration lawyer.
Everything here is at your discretion. You can save money and try to do everything yourself, but then you shouldn’t contact a lawyer, because... you have only one chance to appeal in court, they will refuse - you cannot start the process again. A lawyer will help you thoroughly prepare for the process; he definitely has more experience in these matters than you. Yes, it is unlikely to guarantee you results, but it will significantly increase your chances of success. And when appealing deportation and decisions not to allow entry, the participation of a lawyer in the court hearing is mandatory.
- Collect documents.
Everything is in your hands now. The lawyer will tell you what exactly to collect and certify: passports, marriage registration certificates, birth certificates, certificates from doctors, certificates of ownership. You are required to quickly and correctly collect documents. The lawyer will be able to submit these documents to the court or the FMS independently. This is done to establish the factual circumstances of the case and protect your interests.
- Wait.
That point that many clients simply cannot come to terms with. The ban is lifted no earlier than a month and a half later (if removed through the Ministry of Internal Affairs), the average time for consideration of a case in court is 2-3 months. So you need to be patient and wait. In cases of deportation, you can stay in the Russian Federation while appealing the decision.
- Receive confirmation that entry into the Russian Federation is open.
A positive decision has been made, you can already rejoice. But you must definitely obtain a document that confirms that the entry ban is open. This will be a decision of a government agency, which will say that entry into Russia is open to you.
This is a brief instruction for opening entry into the Russian Federation. If you have any additional questions, we are ready to answer them.
Countries from which entry into Russia is allowed using internal passports
According to the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Azerbaijan Republic on visa-free travel for citizens of the Russian Federation and the Azerbaijan Republic (1997, with subsequent amendments), citizens of Azerbaijan have the right to enter, exit and move through the territory of Russia without visas using an identity card of a citizen of Azerbaijan with a notarized translation, and also documents of a citizen of the USSR.
In accordance with the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Armenia on mutual visa-free travel of citizens of the Russian Federation and citizens of the Republic of Armenia, citizens of Armenia can enter, exit, move and stay in Russia without visas using a passport of a citizen of the Republic of Armenia.
According to the Agreement between the government of Belarus, the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the government of Kyrgyzstan, the government of the Russian Federation and the government of the Republic of Tajikistan (2000), citizens of Belarus have the right to enter, leave, transit, move and stay in the territory of the Russian Federation using a passport of a citizen of Belarus of the 1993 and 1996 model, and also according to USSR documents.
In accordance with the Agreement between the government of Belarus, the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the government of Kyrgyzstan, the government of the Russian Federation and the government of the Republic of Tajikistan on mutual visa-free travel of citizens (2000), citizens of Kazakhstan, regardless of their place of residence, have the right to enter, leave, transit, move and stay on the territory of Russia using a passport of a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
According to the Agreement between the government of Belarus, the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the government of Kyrgyzstan, the government of the Russian Federation and the government of the Republic of Tajikistan (2000), citizens of Kyrgyzstan, regardless of place of residence, have the right to enter, leave, transit, move and stay in Russia using a passport of a citizen of Kyrgyzstan , as well as a passport of a citizen of the USSR.
In accordance with the Agreement between the government of Belarus, the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the government of Kyrgyzstan, the government of the Russian Federation and the government of the Republic of Tajikistan on mutual visa-free travel of citizens (2000), citizens of Tajikistan have the right to enter, exit, transit, move and stay in the territory of the Russian Federation with a citizen’s passport of the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as according to documents of a citizen of the USSR.
According to the Agreement between the government of the Russian Federation and the government of Turkmenistan on mutual travel of citizens (1999), citizens of Turkmenistan enter, leave and move within the territory of the Russian Federation using a passport of a citizen of Turkmenistan, as well as documents of a citizen of the USSR.
According to the Russian-Ukrainian intergovernmental Agreement on visa-free travel for citizens of both countries (1997, with subsequent amendments), citizens of Ukraine enter, exit, stay and move throughout the territory of the Russian Federation on the basis of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine.
In accordance with the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of South Ossetia on mutual visa-free travel of citizens of the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Ossetia (2010), citizens of South Ossetia, regardless of their place of residence, can enter, exit, transit and stay in the Russian Federation without visas for up to 90 days according to a general internal passport of a citizen of the Republic of South Ossetia.
Can I enter Russia through third countries?
Russia has officially opened its borders to some countries, including Turkey, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the UAE.
Flights to Turkey, Dubai and India from Tajikistan are open and many are wondering if they can get to Russia through these countries? We remind you once again that if you are a citizen of Russia, then you can. In other cases, there are reservations that need to be read in detail.
More often, those who want to get to Russia from Tajikistan consider the route through Kyrgyzstan.
If you are a citizen of Tajikistan, live in another country, for example, in Kyrgyzstan, and want to fly to Russia, you must have a valid residence permit for the country where you live.
Entry to Russia from Uzbekistan for work
Russia has always been popular among labor migrants from Uzbekistan. According to Rosstat, about 900 thousand Uzbek labor migrants arrived in 2021.
The pandemic has changed everything - the border between the two countries is closed, many Uzbek citizens are left without work, and Russian organizations are left without employees. But, although strict restrictions on border crossings are still in effect, Uzbek citizens have the opportunity to come to Russia to work.
Entry for highly qualified specialists
The easiest way to get a job in Russia is for those Uzbek citizens who are highly qualified specialists. HQS from Uzbekistan can enter Russia with an invitation from the organization, which must specify the terms of work and position, as well as the date of crossing the border.
Entry to work by invitation
What to do if an Uzbek employee is not a highly qualified specialist, but, for example, a builder? The governments of the two countries understand that the closure of borders has caused serious harm to the economies of the countries. Therefore, a special program has been developed that facilitates the entry of labor migrants into Russia. Employers usually hire the same workers, proven and experienced.
Therefore, Russian organizations are now compiling lists of specialists whom he wishes to attract to work. These lists are agreed upon by a special commission, which decides whether to allow entry to a particular person. For specialists who receive approval, airlines organize charter flights to Russia. For example, in February of this year, 189 Uzbek citizens flew to work at construction sites in the Moscow region.
Some foreign citizens try to enter Russia using fake certificates, indicating “treatment” as the purpose of their migration card. Such actions are quickly suppressed - even if you are allowed through at the border, you will not be able to obtain a work patent or other permits.
