St. Petersburg Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Russia maintains strict visa requirements for most foreign nationals. The type of visa needed depends on your nationality, purpose of visit, and length of stay. St. Petersburg offers several entry points including Pulkovo International Airport, sea port terminals for cruise passengers, and land border crossings.
Very limited visa-free access to Russia. Some CIS countries and specific cruise ship passengers may qualify.
Visa-free cruise ship entry requires passengers to be part of an organized tour group with a registered tour operator. This 72-hour visa-free regime applies only when arriving by sea. CIS agreements may be affected by current political situations.
Russia offers electronic visas for citizens of many countries for short tourist, business, or humanitarian visits to specific regions including St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast.
Cost: Currently free of charge (as of 2024)
IMPORTANT: eVisa is valid only for entry and exit through St. Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast. You cannot use it to travel to other Russian regions or exit through Moscow. The eVisa program has been suspended or modified for certain nationalities due to diplomatic situations - verify current eligibility before applying. Single entry only.
Most nationalities require a traditional visa obtained through Russian embassy or consulate, including USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many others not eligible for eVisa.
Tourist visas require a tourist voucher from a registered Russian travel agency or hotel. Private visit visas require an official invitation registered with Russian migration authorities. US, UK, Canadian, and some other citizens face higher visa fees due to reciprocity. Visa processing may be suspended or significantly delayed for certain nationalities - check current status with your nearest Russian diplomatic mission.
Arrival Process
Upon arrival at Pulkovo Airport or other entry points in St. Petersburg, you will proceed through immigration and customs control. The process is generally efficient but can involve queues during peak hours. Have all required documents readily accessible and be prepared to answer questions about your visit.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Russian customs regulations are strictly enforced at all entry points. St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport and sea ports have both green (nothing to declare) and red (goods to declare) channels. Failure to declare required items can result in confiscation, fines, or criminal charges. Be honest and thorough when completing customs declarations.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and psychotropic substances - strictly prohibited with severe criminal penalties including lengthy prison sentences
- Weapons, ammunition, and explosives - except with special permits obtained in advance
- Pornographic materials - broadly defined and strictly enforced
- Materials considered extremist or promoting terrorism - including certain political or religious literature
- Counterfeit currency or goods - including fake designer items
- Endangered species and products - including certain furs, ivory, and exotic animal products without CITES permits
- Certain foods and agricultural products - fresh meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables from many countries are banned
- Radioactive materials - except for medical purposes with proper documentation
- Items violating intellectual property rights - pirated media, counterfeit branded goods
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - bring only what you need with original packaging and doctor's prescription in English and Russian. Certain medications legal elsewhere may be controlled substances in Russia. Check with the Russian embassy before traveling.
- Professional camera equipment - may require declaration and proof of re-export to avoid duties
- Drones and radio-controlled devices - require special permits and are prohibited in many areas
- Cultural artifacts and antiques - items over 50 years old require special export permits and cultural value assessment. Cannot export without proper documentation.
- Precious metals and stones - amounts exceeding personal jewelry must be declared
- Encryption devices and certain electronics - may require special permits
- Large amounts of cash - must be declared if exceeding thresholds
- Pets - require veterinary certificates, rabies vaccination proof, and microchip identification
Health Requirements
Russia does not currently mandate specific vaccinations for most travelers entering St. Petersburg. However, health insurance is required for visa applications and strongly recommended for all visitors. Medical care in St. Petersburg is available but can be expensive for foreigners, and international health insurance may not be accepted everywhere.
Required Vaccinations
- No vaccinations are currently required for entry to Russia for most travelers
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate required only if arriving from yellow fever endemic countries (parts of Africa and South America)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), polio, and influenza
- Hepatitis A and B - recommended for all travelers
- Tick-borne encephalitis - recommended if visiting rural or forested areas, especially spring through autumn
- Rabies - consider if you'll have extensive outdoor activities or animal contact
- COVID-19 - check current requirements as policies change frequently
Health Insurance
Medical insurance valid in Russia with minimum coverage of €30,000 (or equivalent) is REQUIRED for visa applications and should cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical evacuation. Purchase insurance from a company recognized by Russian authorities. Keep your insurance certificate with you as it may be checked at border control. Note that due to international sanctions, many Western insurance companies and credit card travel insurance may not provide coverage in Russia - verify your policy explicitly covers Russia before traveling. Private medical clinics in St. Petersburg are better equipped than public hospitals but require immediate payment or insurance guarantee.
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport and visa. If a child is traveling with only one parent or with non-parents (relatives, school groups), a notarized letter of consent from the non-traveling parent(s) is required, preferably translated into Russian and apostilled. This requirement is strictly enforced at Russian borders. Children included in parent's passport (old-style passports) are generally not accepted - children need individual passports. Keep birth certificates and custody documents if applicable. For divorced parents, custody documentation may be requested.
Pets entering Russia require: valid veterinary certificate issued within 5 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (administered at least 30 days before travel but not more than 12 months prior), microchip identification (ISO standard 11784 or 11785), and veterinary health certificate. Upon arrival, pets must be declared to customs. Certain breeds may be restricted. Service animals require additional documentation. Contact Russian veterinary authorities (Rosselkhoznadzor) or your airline for specific requirements. Quarantine may be required in some cases.
Tourist visas are generally not extendable except in cases of serious illness, natural disaster, or other force majeure circumstances with proper documentation. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a new visa, which typically requires leaving Russia. Business and private visas may be extendable - apply at least 3 weeks before expiration through the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs (GUVM MVD). Overstaying your visa results in fines, deportation, and potential entry bans of 3-10 years. For long-term stays, consider work visas, study visas, or temporary residence permits, which require sponsorship and extensive documentation.
Russia does not recognize dual nationality for its own citizens. If you have Russian citizenship (including former Soviet citizenship that was never formally renounced), you must enter and exit Russia on your Russian passport, regardless of other nationalities held. Former citizens who renounced Russian citizenship should carry proof of renunciation. Failure to comply can result in denial of entry on foreign passport and forced use of Russian passport with associated military service and other obligations.
Business visa requires an official invitation from a registered Russian company or organization. The invitation must be registered with Russian migration authorities. Bring documentation about your business purpose, company information, and contacts in Russia. Business visas can be single, double, or multiple entry with validity up to 1 year. Registration requirements still apply for each location where you stay more than 7 business days.
Professional journalists require special journalist visas and accreditation from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Working as a journalist on a tourist visa is illegal and can result in deportation and entry bans. Even filming or photographing for professional purposes requires proper credentials. Apply well in advance as the process is complex and time-consuming.
Be aware that Russia has laws restricting 'propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships.' While these primarily affect residents and public demonstrations, LGBTQ+ travelers should exercise discretion. Same-sex relationships are not illegal, but public displays of affection may attract unwanted attention or harassment. There are no specific entry requirements, but materials deemed 'propaganda' could be confiscated at customs.
Russian visa applications ask about criminal history. Certain convictions, particularly drug offenses, may result in visa denial. Be honest on applications as false information can lead to permanent entry bans. If you have a criminal record, consult with the Russian embassy before applying. Even minor offenses can cause problems, especially for certain nationalities.
Planning your trip? Make sure you have the right travel insurance for St. Petersburg Entry Requirements before you go.