Visa-Free Countries for Russian Passport Holders [Including VOA, eVisa & ETA]

Russia, the largest country in the world, offers its citizens a passport with a broad global reach. With visa-free access to over 75 countries, Russian passport holders can enjoy smooth international journeys. 

In this guide, you’ll discover all the visa-free countries for Russian passport holders, along with destinations that offer Visa on Arrival, Electronic Visas, and Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

Visa-Free Countries for Russian Passport Holders

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As of 2025, Russian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to over 75 countries, offering strong mobility across Asia, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and parts of Europe. Most destinations allow stays from 30 to 90 days, with a few permitting longer visits or multiple entries depending on bilateral agreements and travel purpose.

Country	Visa-Free Stay Duration
Angola	30 days
Antigua and Barbuda	90 days
Argentina	90 days
Armenia	180 days
Azerbaijan	90 days
Bahamas	90 days
Barbados	90 days
Belarus	Unlimited
Bolivia	90 days
Bosnia and Herzegovina	30 days
Botswana	90 days
Brazil	90 days
Brunei	14 days
Cape Verde	60 days
Chile	90 days
Colombia	90 days
Cook Islands	31 days
Costa Rica	90 days
Cuba	90 days
Dominica	21 days
Dominican Republic	60 days
Ecuador	90 days
El Salvador	90 days
Eswatini	30 days
Fiji	120 days
Gambia	90 days
Georgia	90 days
Grenada	90 days
Guatemala	90 days
Guyana	90 days
Haiti	90 days
Honduras	90 days
Hong Kong	14 days
Jamaica	90 days
Kazakhstan	Unlimited
Kiribati	30 days
Kyrgyzstan	Unlimited
Laos	30 days
Macao	30 days
Malawi	90 days
Malaysia	30 days
Maldives	30 days
Mauritius	60 days
Micronesia	30 days
Moldova	90 days
Mongolia	30 days
Montenegro	30 days
Morocco	90 days
Mozambique	30 days
Myanmar	30 days
Namibia	90 days
Nauru	14 days
Nicaragua	90 days
Palau	30 days
Palestinian Territories	30 days
Panama	90 days
Paraguay	90 days
Peru	90 days
Philippines	30 days
Saint Lucia	42 days
Samoa	60 days
Sao Tome and Principe	15 days
Serbia	30 days
South Africa	90 days
St. Vincent and the Grenadines	90 days
Suriname	90 days
Tajikistan	Unlimited
Thailand	30 days
Trinidad and Tobago	90 days
Tunisia	90 days
Turkey	60 days
Turks and Caicos Islands	90 days
United Arab Emirates	90 days
Uruguay	90 days
Uzbekistan	Unlimited
Vanuatu	30 days
Venezuela	90 days
Vietnam	45 days

Source:Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation – Visa-Free Travel List (in Russian)

Visa on Arrival Countries for Russian Passport Holders

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List of visa-on-arrival countries for Russian passport holders:

Country	Stay Duration	Visa Fee (USD)	Visa Fee (RUB)
Bahrain	14 days	$13	~1,170 RUB
Bangladesh	Varies	—	—
Burundi	30 days	$90	~8,100 RUB
Cambodia	30 days	~$35	~3,150 RUB
Comoros	45 days	—	—
Djibouti	30 days	—	—
Egypt	30 days	—	—
Ethiopia	30 days	—	—
Guinea-Bissau	90 days	—	—
Indonesia	30 days	$31	~2,790 RUB
Jordan	30 days	~$56	~5,040 RUB
Lebanon	30 days (conditional)	—	—
Madagascar	60 days	—	—
Marshall Islands	30 days	—	—
Nepal	90 days	Free	Free
Niue	—	—	—
Oman	—	—	—
Qatar	—	—	—
Rwanda	30 days	$50	~4,500 RUB
Saudi Arabia	90 days	$128	~11,520 RUB
Senegal	—	—	—
Seychelles	3 months	—	—
Sierra Leone	90 days	$80	~7,200 RUB
Sri Lanka	30 days	—	—
Tanzania	90 days	—	—
Timor-Leste	30 days	—	—
Tonga	—	—	—
Tuvalu	30 days	$64	~5,760 RUB
Zambia	—	—	—
Zimbabwe	—	—	—

Must Read: What is ETIAS? Understanding Europe’s New Travel Authorization System

eVisa Countries for Russian Passport Holders

List of eVisa countries for Russian passport holders:

Country	Stay Duration	Visa Fee (USD)	Visa Fee (RUB)
Albania	Varies	—	—
Australia	Up to 90 days	$45	~4,050 RUB
Benin	30–90 days	$85	~7,650 RUB
Bhutan	Up to 30 days	$20	~1,800 RUB
Burkina Faso	30 days	$80	~7,200 RUB
Cameroon	90 days	$153	~13,770 RUB
Chad	30 days	$115	~10,350 RUB
Congo (Dem. Rep.)	Up to 30 days	$100	~9,000 RUB
Côte d’Ivoire	90 days	$68	~6,120 RUB
Equatorial Guinea	30 days	$75	~6,750 RUB
Gabon	1–3 months	$76	~6,840 RUB
Guinea	90 days	$80	~7,200 RUB
India	30–90 days	Free	Free
Iran	Varies	$60	~5,400 RUB
Iraq	30–60 days	$57	~5,130 RUB
Lesotho	30 days	$150	~13,500 RUB
Libya	Varies	$60	~5,400 RUB
Mauritania	30 days	$40	~3,600 RUB
Montserrat	90 days	$18	~1,620 RUB
Nigeria	30 days	$160	~14,400 RUB
Pakistan	90 days	$9	~810 RUB
Papua New Guinea	Varies	—	—
Singapore (Transit)	96 hrs (airside)	Free	Free
South Sudan	30 days	$100	~9,000 RUB
St. Helena	Varies	$65	~5,850 RUB
Syria	—	—	—
Togo	15–90 days	$42–110	~3,780–9,900 RUB
Uganda	90 days	$50	~4,500 RUB

Must Read: India Visa for Russian Citizens

ETA Countries for Russian Passport Holders

List of ETA countries for Russian passport holders:

Country	Stay Duration	ETA Cost (USD)	ETA Cost (RUB)
Israel	Up to 90 days	~$6.85	~617 RUB
Kenya	Up to 90 days	$32.50	~2,925 RUB
Mexico	180 days	~$52	~4,680 RUB
Saint Kitts and Nevis	30 days	~$37	~3,330 RUB
South Korea	90 days	~$60	~5,400 RUB

Top Visa-Free Countries for Russian Passport Holders

Country	Visa Type	Stay Duration	Top Attractions
United Arab Emirates	Visa-Free	Up to 90 days	Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Burj Khalifa
Thailand	Visa-Free	Up to 30 days	Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Phi Phi Islands
Turkey	Visa-Free	Up to 60 days	Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Antalya
Brazil	Visa-Free	Up to 90 days	Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, São Paulo, Amazon Rainforest
South Africa	Visa-Free	Up to 90 days	Cape Town, Kruger National Park, Garden Route
Malaysia	Visa-Free	Up to 30 days	Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Cameron Highlands
Argentina	Visa-Free	Up to 90 days	Buenos Aires, Patagonia, Iguazu Falls
Serbia	Visa-Free	Up to 30 days	Belgrade, Novi Sad, Tara National Park
Georgia	Visa-Free	Up to 90 days	Tbilisi, Batumi, Kazbegi
Indonesia (Bali)	VOA	Up to 30 days (extendable)	Bali, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Komodo Island
Vietnam	Visa-Free	Up to 45 days	Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An
Fiji	Visa-Free	Up to 120 days	Coral Coast, Mamanuca Islands, Denarau Island

Must Read: South Africa Launches ETA System in 2025: What Travelers from Select Countries Need to Know

Benefits of Visa-Free Travel for Russian Passport Holders

• No Visa Costs: Travelers save on application, embassy, and courier fees, which is especially helpful for frequent or short-term travel.
• Quick Getaways: Russians can plan spontaneous holidays or attend urgent events abroad with ease.
• Wider Access: Over 110 destinations are open without prior clearance, boosting global mobility for Russian citizens.
• Time-Saving: No paperwork or embassy visits means faster planning, ideal for last-minute decisions.
• Streamlined Process: Less documentation lowers the risk of visa denials or delays; just pack and go.
• Business Expansion: Entrepreneurs can explore international deals, attend meetings, and expand networks without red tape.

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FAQs

Which countries allow visa-free entry for Russian passport holders?

Russian passport holders can enter 75+ countries visa-free, including Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, Brazil, Argentina, and South Africa. No visa is needed for these countries from Russia.

Do I need a return ticket for visa-free travel as a Russian citizen?

Yes, a return or onward travel ticket is often required to prove your intent to leave within the allowed stay. Immigration officers in visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries may deny entry without proof of onward travel.

Can Russian citizens travel to Europe without a visa?

Partially. Russian citizens currently cannot travel visa-free to the Schengen Area (France, Germany, Spain, etc.). A Schengen Visa is required. However, nearby visa-free European options include Serbia, Montenegro, and Turkey, which offer short-stay access without a visa.

What documents should I carry when traveling visa-free from Russia?

For smooth visa-free travel, carry:

• A valid Russian passport (min. 6 months validity)
• Return or onward ticket
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter)
• Travel insurance (mandatory in some countries like Turkey or UAE)
• Evidence of sufficient funds
• Entry forms or health declarations if required by the destination

What should I do if visa policies change after booking my trip?

If visa rules change post-booking:

1. Check the destination’s embassy website for updates
2. Apply for an eVisa or VOA if eligible
3. Contact your airline for rebooking/refund options
4. Review your travel insurance for coverage against such changes

Is visa-free entry based on Russian citizenship or residence?

Visa-free access depends on your passport. Only Russian passport holders enjoy these benefits. If you live in Russia but hold another nationality, your visa privileges depend on that country’s passport.

Is it safe for Russians to travel visa-free to these countries?

Yes, most visa-free destinations are safe, provided travelers follow local laws and immigration rules. Always:

• Carry proper documentation
• Respect your visa-free stay duration
• Follow local health or entry protocols

Can Russian passport holders get a visa on arrival in some countries?

Yes, Russian citizens are eligible for VOA in 25+ countries, including Indonesia, Nepal, Maldives, Seychelles, and Saudi Arabia. 

Can I work or study in a visa-free country with a Russian passport?

No, visa-free travel is restricted to tourism or short business visits. You cannot work, study, or stay long-term without obtaining the appropriate work, student, or long-stay visa.

What is the maximum visa-free stay allowed for Russian passport holders?

Here are the visa-free countries for Russian passport holders and their stay durations: 

• UAE: Up to 90 days
• Thailand: 30 days
• Turkey: 60 days
• Vietnam: 45 days
• Brazil & Argentina: 90 days