🇷🇺 Russia visa requirements for American citizens
Yes — American citizens need a visa to enter Russia, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
Entry rules for United States passport holders
American citizens must obtain a visa before traveling to Russia. Applications generally go through a Russia embassy or consulate and require a completed form, passport photos, proof of accommodation and onward travel, and sometimes travel insurance. Start the process several weeks before your planned trip, as processing times vary.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official Russia immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The American passport ranks #32 worldwide, opening 159 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (116 visa-free, 36 with a visa on arrival and 7 with an eTA). Russia is not among them — it is one of the 19 destinations that still require an embassy visa or an application before departure.
The arrangement is reciprocal: Russian citizens traveling to United States face the same requirement (visa required).
Across Eastern Europe as a whole, 2 of 4 destinations are open to American travelers without arranging a visa in advance.
About Russia
- Capital
- Moscow
- Region
- Eastern Europe
- Currency
- Russian ruble (₽)
- Languages
- Russian
Planning a trip to Russia?
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Frequently asked questions
Do American citizens need a visa for Russia?
Yes — American citizens need a visa to enter Russia, normally arranged through an embassy or consulate before traveling.
What currency is used in Russia?
The currency in Russia is the Russian ruble (₽). The capital city is Moscow.
Is this information up to date?
Current status: Visa required for American citizens traveling to Russia. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the Russia embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Europe for American passport holders
Going the other way? United States visa requirements for Russian citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.