Before you go to Russia: what to know
Must know
- FCDO advises against all travel to Russia. Consular support and exit options are limited.
- Foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard do not work in Russian shops or ATMs.
- Check ruID rules for visa-free entry; work and study travel has additional requirements.
Entry and visas
British visitors require a visa in advance. Border biometric checks and an immigration card may apply. Register stays exceeding 7 working days through your host or hotel. The ruID experiment continues in 2026; Kazakhstan’s embassy requires it for its citizens entering visa-free for work or study from 1 July. Confirm rules for your nationality and purpose.
Online arrival forms and permits
- ruID — Kazakhstan work/study guidance ↗ required
At least 72 hours before planned entry · Kazakhstan citizens entering visa-free for work or study; check other nationality and purpose rules separately.
Passport validity: British visitors: at least 6 months beyond visa expiry; the visa must be in a valid passport.
At the border you may be asked for
- Keep the immigration card until departure.
- Check that your host or hotel completes any required migration registration.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, gov.kz ↗, mvdmedia.ru ↗
Money
Mostly cash is used. Cards are rarely accepted.
Apple Pay — no data · Google Pay — no data
Where to exchange money
- Banks, hotels or authorised exchange bureaux, subject to applicable sanctions.
Where not to exchange
- Street money changers.
- Foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard do not operate. Arrange lawful access to funds before travelling.
- General domestic transactions must be paid in roubles, not foreign currency.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗
Rules and bans
Prohibited
- Do not photograph military or security-sensitive sites.
Laws visitors break unknowingly
- Avoid political demonstrations and check restrictions on publishing or sharing material about the war.
- Foreign currency cannot be used for general domestic payments.
Culture and clothing
Religion: Christian, Muslim and other religious communities are present; current demographic shares were not independently established.
Clothing: Specific religious-site dress rules were not independently confirmed; check with the venue.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: 2021-2025.state.gov ↗
Climate
Multiple climate zones range from Arctic northern conditions to more temperate southern areas. Severe winter cold and snowstorms especially affect Siberia and northern regions. National monthly averages would be misleading.
Month by month
- January: Jan: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
- February: Feb: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
- March: Mar: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
- April: Apr: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
- May: May: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
- June: Jun: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
- July: Jul: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
- August: Aug: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
- September: Sep: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
- October: Oct: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
- November: Nov: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
- December: Dec: regional forecast needed; no national monthly estimate
Best season: Choose the region first and check official local forecasts; no single national best season is asserted.
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: travel.state.gov ↗
What to pack
- Valid travel and immigration documents
- A lawful plan for access to funds
- Clothing for the specific region
Do not bring / prohibited to import
- Relying on foreign-issued Visa or Mastercard
- Photographing military sites
Practical
Plugs: Socket specification not independently confirmed; ask your accommodation.
Water: Current local drinking-water safety not independently confirmed; check supply notices.
Traffic: drives on the right
Emergency: 112
Checked October 30, 2026 · Sources: travel.state.gov ↗, rac.co.uk ↗
Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.