law of registration of visitors in Russia

To enter the Russian Federation a foreign citizen must submit valid identity document, accepted as such by the Russian Federation, visa and migration card (see below). It is not possible to obtain a visa at the airport when entering Russia and extend visa while in Russia. Visa entitles its holder to travel to the Russian Federation but it does not guarantee entry. An immigration officer determines the visa holder's eligibility for admission into the Russian Federation. Therefore you should be able to present at the port of entry a copy of your invitation or visa support papers along with your passport and visa.

From December 1, 2024, at Moscow airports (Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky) and at the Mashtakovo border checkpoint (Orenburg region), all foreign citizens must be photographed and fingerprinted upon entering Russia.
These rules except:

• citizens of Belarus;
• diplomatic staff and their family members;
• staff of international organizations and their family

In accordance with the Russian government decree no. 413 of 16.08.2004 “On migration card” a foreign citizen is required to fill out a migration card when arriving to the Russian Federation and present it to the border control officer for stamping provided that the data on the card is in compliance with the owner’s passport data.

Migration card forms are distributed free of charge to foreign nationals on arrival to Russia by migration officers or representatives of transport companies.

A foreigner must carry the migration card during the whole period of stay in Russia and submit it along with other documents for migration registration at the place of residence. In case of damage or loss of the migration card foreign national must notify a local office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation within three days. A gratis duplicate card is issued assuming travel documents used to enter Russia are presented.

When leaving Russia, a foreign citizen must submit the card to a migration officer at the Russian border checkpoint.

Visitors staying in Russia more than seven business days must have a residence registration. If you stay at a hotel, registration must be done by the hotel management. If you stay in an apartment or private home, it should be done by the host at the Directorate for Migration Affairs or post office.

The foreign visitor is administratively responsible for the late registration or non-registration of their visa. The amount of penalty is at least 5000 RUB.