We are providing the information below to assist U.S. Citizens planning to depart Russia given the uncertainty surrounding circumstances there following ongoing Russian military actions in Ukraine. This page is updated once monthly.
U.S. citizens should depart Russia immediately via one of the limited commercial options still available. U.S. Citizens wishing to depart Russia have several options listed below. The situation on Russian borders is constantly evolving, and this page will be updated regularly to reflect these changes.
When considering departure options, please note that The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently downgraded the air safety rating for Russia, restricting any expansion of service or partnerships as a result of Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport not complying with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards. For more information on this matter, click here.
Per U.S. Embassy Moscow’s February 28, 2022, Message to U.S. Citizens, those seeking to depart Russia should consider taking the following steps to facilitate their travel.
o Gulf Air
o Etihad
Fly Dubai reports that it has increased flights from St. Petersburg, and Mineralnye Vody in addition to Moscow, in response to demand, and to compensate for flight cancelations from Rostov and Krasnodar. Flights from Mineralnye Vody to Dubai operate Wednesdays and Saturdays and offer direct flight options for U.S. citizens in Southern Russia. Fly Dubai also offers flights four days a week from Yekaterinburg to Dubai, as well as twice-weekly flights from Novosibirsk on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Etihad and Emirates airlines likewise have both confirmed that they have not reduced flight routes with Russia at this time.
Major Russian carriers such as Aeroflot and S7 have ceased most international flights. There are flights available on multiple carriers to Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other countries in the region, including flights departing from Yekaterinburg.
Travelers may also depart via some of Russia’s land borders. More information is below.
Use of Credit/Debit Cards & Access to Foreign Currency: As a result of sanctions imposed on Russian banks in response to the Russian military actions in Ukraine, U.S. issued credit and debit cards do not work in Russia. Travelers may consider using local credit cards, cash, or other forms of payment, or request that family/friends outside of Russia purchase their ticket. U.S. citizens should take this into account when making their plans.
The Bank of Russia has announced that non-residents from “both friendly and unfriendly countries” may transfer funds abroad in the amount of wages, but there remains a ban on transferring funds abroad for non-residents from “unfriendly countries” that do not work in Russia, as well as legal entities from such states. This ban has been extended through September 30, 2023. U.S. citizens should be aware that even though the Bank of Russia may allow the transfer of funds from wages, the exclusion of Russia from the SWIFT system have made transfers to the United States impossible as a practical matter.
We encourage U.S. citizens to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency. U.S. Citizens in Russia can email moscowacs@state.gov for assistance.
Click here for additional updates from the U.S. Embassy in Russia.
KEY LINKS
Latest Travel Advisory and Alerts
Departing Russia by air:
U.S. citizens wishing to depart Russia by land should be prepared to comply with country-specific entry requirements. Direct flights are currently operating from Moscow and other major Russian cities to Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Thailand, India, and other destinations. European and North American airspace remains closed. Please consult airlines and travel websites for schedules and availability.
Departing Russia by land:
U.S. citizens wishing to depart Russia by land should be prepared to comply with country-specific entry requirements, which may differ from the entry requirements for travelers arriving by plane. See the webpage of the U.S. Embassy in the country you wish to enter for COVID requirements. For a list of embassies, click here.
Departing Russia by sea:
Some ferries from Russia to other countries may be operating.
Visa Requirements for Families with American and Russian Citizen Family Members
The following information may be of use to those families with both American and Russian citizen family members that are considering departure options:
No Visa Required for Russian Citizens
Azerbaijan: Russians do not need a visa to enter Azerbaijan and can stay for up to 90 days.
Bahrain: Russians can get visas on arrival.
Georgia: Russian citizens do not need a visa to enter Georgia.
Kazakhstan: Russian citizens can enter Kazakhstan without a visa by air for up to 90 days, but not more than 90 days within a 180-day period.
Mongolia: Mongolia does not require a visa for temporary (30 day) stays of Russian nationals, just a passport with at least six months validity.
Qatar: Russian citizens can enter Qatar visa free for an initial 30 day stay and the possibility to extend 30 additional days.
Serbia: Russians do not need visas to enter Serbia and can stay for up to 30 days.
UAE: UAE does visas on arrival for Russian tourists, with authorization for a 30 day stay, extendable to 90 with application.
Visa Required for Russian Citizens
Estonia: As of September 19, 2022 the Estonian government will not allow Russian citizens with short-term Schengen visas to enter Estonia for tourism, sports, or culture. The entry restrictions do not apply to Russian citizens who are long-term residents of Estonia or to individuals traveling to Estonia to visit family members, workers involved in transportation of goods and passengers, and in certain humanitarian circumstances. The Estonian Police and Border Guard website provides more information.
Finland: Russian citizens require a visa to enter Finland. Starting September 2022, Finland will reduce significantly the acceptance of Russian tourist visas. Priority is given to those applying for a visa due to family reasons, work or study. In extreme circumstances the Finnish Border Patrol will consider parole entry if the person is transiting Finland or has other extraordinary circumstances.
Latvia: Visas are required for Russians to enter Latvia. They are currently not being issued except for some specific funerals. For more information, please contact the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Lithuania: Russian citizens need a visa to enter Lithuania. Lithuania has suspended issuing most visas to Russian nationals in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine. As of September 19, the Lithuanian government joined Estonia, Latvia, and Poland in restricting the entrance of Russian citizens with short-term Schengen visas who seek to enter for tourism, sports, or culture. Exceptions apply for family members of EU nationals, seafarers, people transiting Kaliningrad, and in other humanitarian situations.
The following link provides information on countries to which Russian citizens can travel without requiring a visa. Please note that this website is not affiliated with the United States Department of State, which cannot vouch for the accuracy of its data, and is provided purely for informational purposes.
https://visaguide.world/visa-free-countries/russian-passport/
SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON ENTERING NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES FROM RUSSIA:
Azerbaijan
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Baku, call +994 12 488-3300, or email the American Citizens Services unit at BakuACS@state.gov
Click here to see all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan’s national air carrier, AZAL (Azerbaijan Airlines), operates daily flights to Moscow's Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports. Azerbaijan Airlines operates flights from Baku to St. Petersburg (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays), Novosibirsk (Mondays and Thursdays), and Yekaterinburg (Wednesdays and Sundays).
The low-cost airline Buta Airways operates flights to Astrakhan (Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays), Mineralniye Vody (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays), Kazan (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays), Volgograd (Tuesdays and Saturdays), and Samara (Wednesdays and Saturdays).
Belarus
Do not travel to Belarus due to the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of detention, the Russian military attack on neighboring Ukraine, and the buildup of Russian military in Belarus along the border with Ukraine. U.S. citizens in Belarus should depart immediately via commercial or private means. Read the travel advisory for Belarus here .
Estonia
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Estonia, call 372-668-8128, or email ACSTallinn@state.gov.
Click here to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Estonia.
Finland
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Finland, call +358-9-616-250, or email HelsinkiACS@state.gov
Click here to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Finland.
o Ecolines
o Sovavto
Georgia
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, call +(995 32) 227-70-00, or email the American Citizens Services unit at askconsultbilisi@state.gov.
Click here to see all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Georgia.
Information about the Georgian border from the Georgian State Commission on Migration Issues can be found here.
Kazakhstan
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, call +7 (7172) 70-21-00, or email the American Citizens Services unit at Contact Consul.
Click here to see all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Kazakhstan.
Latvia
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Latvia, call +371 6710 7000, or email askconsular-riga@state.gov.
Click here to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Latvia.
Lithuania
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania, call +370 5 266 5600, or email VilniusACs@state.gov
Click here to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Lithuania.
There are currently no restrictions on individuals (who are in possession of required visas/entry docs, etc.) entering Lithuania from Kaliningrad.
Mongolia
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, call +976-7007-6001, or email the American Citizens Services unit at UlaanbaatarACS@state.gov.
Click here to see all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Mongolia.