Trip checklist: Russia

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

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Visa requirement

South Africans don't need a visa for Russia.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 90 days per year.

Before you go

• Purpose of visit

  Short visits such as tourism, private and business visits. Work and study need a visa and permits.

• Passport validity

  GSA says 6 months from return date with 2 blank pages. UK FCDO says passports issued after January 2017 must be signed; unsigned passports have been refused.

• How to apply

  No visa needed for stays within the 90-day limit. For longer stays, work or study, apply at the Embassy of Russia in Pretoria. The unified e-visa (evisa.kdmid.ru) is not needed for visa-free visitors.

• Where South Africans apply

  If a visa is needed: Embassy of the Russian Federation, 316 Brooks Street, Menlo Park, Pretoria (tel 012 362 1337/8), entry by appointment only, per GSA. Not confirmed at tier 1.

• Accommodation or invitation

  No invitation needed for visa-free visits. Every foreigner must sign a migration (immigration) card at passport control on each entry and keep it until departure. Register with local authorities if staying more than 7 working days (hotels do this). Show proof of registration when leaving or risk fines or detention.

• Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

  Russia publishes no yellow fever rule for South Africans in the sources checked. Russia is not a yellow fever risk country, so no certificate is needed to return to South Africa from Russia, unless you transited a risk country.

• Arrival forms

  Migration card signed at passport control on every entry. All foreigners give fingerprints and a photo on arrival. Expect questioning and possible phone and baggage searches.

• Extending your stay and overstaying

  Overstaying brings fines, deportation and re-entry bans. You cannot leave Russia while you owe unpaid debts or fines.

• Confirm with the embassy

  Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (unified e-visa portal) https://evisa.kdmid.ru/

Research sources

1. 1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (unified e-visa portal) (Official, evisa.kdmid.ru) https://evisa.kdmid.ru/
2. 2. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia/entry-requirements
3. 3. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
4. 4. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Russia
5. 5. The GSA (South African visa agency) (Commercial, thegsa.co.za) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2681-russia-country-guide

From doineedavisa.co.za/russia. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.