Transit Visa to Russia — When Needed and How to Apply

A transit visa is required when passing through Russian territory en route to another country. It allows a stay of up to 10 days.

When you need a transit visa: changing flights with an overnight stay, traveling by train through Russia, driving through Russian territory.

When you DON'T need one: staying in the international transit zone of an airport for less than 24 hours (for most nationalities), direct connecting flights without leaving the terminal.

Required documents: passport, application form, photo, tickets showing your complete route, visa for your destination country (if required).

Processing: 4–10 business days at the consulate. Fee varies by nationality. Some countries have simplified transit visa agreements with Russia.

Important: you must follow your declared transit route exactly. Deviating or overstaying results in penalties and potential entry bans.