Russia visa for British citizens

Travel from the United Kingdom to Russia requires a visa for all purposes, a reflection of the current complexities in international movement between the two nations. While there are five distinct visa types available, including tourist, business, work, and student options, applicants should be prepared for varied processing times and an application fee that can typically be around £150 for a standard tourist visa allowing a stay of up to 30 days. The primary practical consideration for British travelers is the ongoing suspension of direct flights, which has been in place since early 2022, meaning journeys now necessitate indirect routes often transiting through hubs like Istanbul or Dubai. This significantly impacts overall travel time and planning for reaching Russia.

Visa required· verified 2026-05-27

Entry requirements

Passport validity
6+ months
Blank pages
2+
Onward ticket
Required
Funds proof
Required
Health insurance
Required
Biometrics
Required

Visa options

OtherUnified e-visa
30dvalid 4mo
Apply
OtherUnified e-visa (tourist, business, humanitarian, guest)
16dvalid 2mo
Apply
TouristTourist Visa (up to 30 days, single entry)
30d$160valid 1mo
Apply
TouristTourist Visa (up to 30 days, double entry)
30d$160double-entryvalid 1mo
Apply
TouristTourist Visa (3-year multiple entry for U.S. citizens)
180d$160multiple-entryvalid 3y
Apply
BusinessBusiness Visa (single entry, up to 3 months)
90dvalid 3mo
Apply
BusinessBusiness Visa (double entry, up to 3 months)
90ddouble-entryvalid 3mo
Apply
BusinessBusiness Visa (multiple entry, up to 1 year)
90dmultiple-entryvalid 1y
Apply
FamilyPrivate (Visitor’s) Visa (up to 90 days, single entry)
90dvalid 3mo
Apply
FamilyPrivate Visa (3‑year multiple entry for U.S. citizens and close relatives)
180dmultiple-entryvalid 3y
Apply
StudentStudent (Educational) Visa (single entry, initial)
90dvalid 3mo
Apply
StudentStudent (Educational) Visa (extended for full study period, multiple entry)
multiple-entry
Apply
WorkWork Visa (standard work visa, up to 1 year)
365dmultiple-entryvalid 1y
Apply
TransitTransit Visa (single entry, up to 72 hours)
3dvalid 3d
Apply
TransitTransit Visa (double entry, up to 72 hours each transit)
3ddouble-entryvalid 3d
Apply
HumanitarianHumanitarian Visa (single or double entry, up to 90 days)
90dvalid 3mo
Apply
HumanitarianHumanitarian Visa (multiple entry, 1–3 years)
90dmultiple-entryvalid 1y
Apply
OtherElectronic Travel Authorization (visa‑free nationals QR authorization)
90dmultiple-entryvalid 1y
Apply
TouristVisa‑free entry for international tourists by regular ferry (up to 72 hours)
3d$0valid 3d
TouristVisa‑free entry for cruise ship passengers (up to 72 hours)
3d$0valid 3d
BusinessAPEC Business Travel Card visa‑free business entry
90d$0multiple-entryvalid 6mo

UK advises against travelling due to security concerns.

Sources