On the сhanges to the stay period of foreigners entering Russia without a visa

Since January the 1st, 2025 in accordance with the federal law №260-ФЗ issued on the 8th of August, 2024 (hereinafter referred to as the Law) changes regarding the allowed period of stay of foreigners entering Russia under the visa-free regime will take effect. The period of stay for this category of citizens on Russian territory has been reduced to a maximum of 90 days in total per year. (Previously the aforementioned citizens could stay in Russia for no more than 90 days in total per every 180 days).

Exceptional cases will be limited to those mentioned in the federal law №115-ФЗ «On the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation» issued on the 25th of July 2002 including cases when the period of temporary stay of a foreign citizen in Russia is prolonged according to the aforementioned federal law. Among these exceptions are also the cases of citizens coming from countries that are signatories to pertinent intergovernmental agreements with Russia on mutual visa-free travel of their respective citizens as well as citizens entering Russia for education, employment, temporary stay and political asylum-seeking purposes. 

Foreign citizens who have entered Russia with a visa will not be affected by the mentioned changes to the order of entry. Their period of stay in Russia will continue to be governed by the duration of the issued visa.

The Law also includes several other amendments aimed at improving migration law in terms of control and supervision of foreign citizens and people with no citizenship staying or residing in Russia.