In August and September 2020, Russia began to resume international flights with several countries. Citizens of these countries are allowed to fly to Russia without restrictions, observing the permitted periods of stay in the country and the visa regime that apply to these countries.

Requirements

They also need to provide a PCR test (certificate) about the absence of COVID -19, which must be done no later than 72 hours before arrival and entry to Russia. An important point: the delivery of analyzes and material for tests must be submitted no later than 72 hours, the certificate itself must be in English or translated into Russian.

You will also need to complete the passenger’s own health declaration for COVID-19 for health purposes. It can be downloaded from the airlines’ websites in advance or filled on board the aircraft before arriving in Russia.

Entry permits for citizens of these countries concern only air borders, they are allowed to arrive by plane. The land and sea borders of Russia remain closed for ordinary tourists.

Sculpture at the Pulkovo airport, Saint Petersburg

Countries

A complete list of countries with which Russia has resumed international flights to date:

  • Turkey,
  • Tanzania,
  • Great Britain,
  • Switzerland,
  • UAE,
  • Maldives,
  • Egypt,
  • Belarus,
  • Kazakhstan,
  • Kyrgyzstan,
  • South Korea,
  • Czech,
  • Japan,
  • Cuba,
  • Serbia.

The exact date when the borders of Russia will be opened for the free entry of all foreign tourists are not disclosed by the official Russian authorities. This will not happen in 2020, due to the growing second wave of COVID-19 in Russia, Europe, Asia and the United States. International flights will be resumed gradually every month with individual countries. The second wave of coronavirus has begun, and there is still no mass availability of the coronavirus vaccine for all countries. And before 2021 presumably there will be no. The Russian authorities have stated that the borders will only be opened on a reciprocal basis.