Russia Health Declaration
Submit your Russia Health Declaration online before travel — electronic confirmation delivered by email with a QR code for immigration checks.
What Is the Russia Health Declaration?
The Russia Health Declaration is an electronic pre-travel health registration used by Russian border and health authorities to collect basic health and contact information from arriving passengers. Historically used during public-health events and COVID-era controls, the online declaration is administered through official Russian consular and border portals and may be requested by airlines at check-in or by immigration on arrival. The requirement has evolved in recent years and is used primarily for contact-tracing and pre-arrival health screening where the authorities deem it necessary.
Apply through the official government portal or use DoVisa for guided completion with checks and expert support. After you submit the declaration you will receive an electronic confirmation by email — often a PDF or message containing a QR code — which you should save offline. Airlines operating services to Russia may ask to see this confirmation at your departure airport; immigration officers at arrival points may scan the QR code as part of routine checks.
This registration is a health-screening document and does not replace a visa or entry permit; visa and passport requirements are handled separately by consular services. Recent policy updates have shifted many routine COVID-era controls to advisory status, but Russia still requires immigration cards and, at major Moscow airports, has implemented biometric registration for arrivals since December 1, 2024. The declaration is therefore a supporting health record rather than an authorization to enter.
For full entry guidance see Russian Federation visa information and the Russian consular pages. For official instructions and the portal, consult the embassy or government service site linked below. Apply for your Russia Health Declaration now.
Who Needs the Russia Health Declaration?
Who Needs It
- All foreign nationals who will clear arrival immigration at a Russian port of entry when a health declaration is requested by authorities or airlines
- Travelers joining international flights to Russia where carriers require health pre‑registration at check-in
- Children and minors — a parent or guardian completes the declaration on their behalf
Who Is Exempt
- Russian nationals
- Airline and vessel crew on active official duty
- Diplomatic and official passport holders on government business
Russia Entry Requirements & Restrictions
Passport Validity
Your passport must have at least 6 months validity beyond the date you expect to leave Russia. See the UK travel advice for Russia on passport rules: GOV.UK Entry Requirements.
Vaccination & Health Advice
There are no routine mandatory vaccinations for most travellers to Russia, but check country-specific guidance and recommended immunisations on TravelHealthPro. If you have recent infectious-disease exposure, follow airline and consular guidance.
Customs & Prohibited Items
Russia strictly prohibits the import of illegal narcotics and enforces sanctions-related restrictions on some goods; agricultural and certain animal products may be banned. See the Federal Customs Service guidance: Russian Customs — Individuals.
Travel Insurance & Medical Evacuation
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended and may be difficult to obtain for travel to Russia due to sanctions. Ensure your policy includes medical evacuation and repatriation — many government travel pages advise carrying proof of cover.
Immigration Card & Biometric Checks
You must complete and sign the immigration card on arrival and keep your copy for departure. From 1 December 2024, major Moscow airports require biometric registration (fingerprints/photograph) on arrival — see GOV.UK for details.
Travel Tips for Russian Federation Visitors
Russia is vast and spans many time zones; most international visitors arrive via Moscow or St Petersburg. Plan for security checks, limited banking access in some areas, and registration requirements if staying more than a week.
- Currency: Russian Ruble (RUB). Cash is widely used domestically; some tourist services accept USD in larger cities but rely on rubles for most purchases.
- Language: Russian is the official language; English is less common outside major hotels, airports and tourist areas — carry addresses in Russian.
- Time zone: Moscow time is GMT+3 (no daylight saving in most regions) — Russia has multiple time zones, so verify local time for your destination.
- Airport transfers: Moscow’s main international hubs are Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo — allow extra time for immigration and possible biometric checks.
- Registration: If you stay more than 7 working days your host or hotel must register your presence with local authorities — keep proof for departure checks.
- Cash & cards: Due to sanctions and banking limits, ATMs or international card use can be restricted — carry backup cash and confirm card acceptance with your bank.
- Phones & connectivity: Roaming may be limited; consider a local SIM bought on arrival (ID required) or download essential documents before travel.
- Safety: Avoid political demonstrations, carry ID, and be prepared for extended questioning at some checkpoints; register with your embassy if you plan to travel to border regions.
"Used DoVisa to submit the Russia Health Declaration before flying from London. The email with QR confirmation arrived within a few hours and the carrier waved us through check‑in quickly."
"Completed the health declaration on my phone during a layover. Support clarified the immigration card process and I had the confirmation to show at Sheremetyevo (SVO) immigration."
"Quick and clear. DoVisa checked my passport details and I received a PDF confirmation with QR code — immigration at Pulkovo (LED) scanned it with no issue."
"The online process was straightforward and the support team helped when my hotel registration took longer than expected. Recommended for business travel to Moscow."
"Everything worked, but I was asked a few health questions at arrival. The declaration made check-in quicker at my departure airport and immigration checks smoother on arrival."
"Good service overall. I had to resize my ID photo once — support fixed it quickly. Keep a screenshot of your confirmation offline in case airport Wi‑Fi is poor."
"Did the health declaration for a family trip; each of our confirmations arrived separately and immigration at Domodedovo (DME) accepted them without delay."
"Small delay in email delivery but support advised me to present the confirmation reference number at check-in and all was fine at the gate."
"I entered the wrong flight number and had to correct it; once updated the confirmation was accepted. The team helped me avoid missing my connection — ended well."
"Fast, clear and reliable. The QR code arrived by email and made the arrival check at Sheremetyevo quick — appreciated the guidance on registration requirements."
"Used DoVisa to submit the Russia Health Declaration before flying from London. The email with QR confirmation arrived within a few hours and the carrier waved us through check‑in quickly."
"Completed the health declaration on my phone during a layover. Support clarified the immigration card process and I had the confirmation to show at Sheremetyevo (SVO) immigration."
"Quick and clear. DoVisa checked my passport details and I received a PDF confirmation with QR code — immigration at Pulkovo (LED) scanned it with no issue."
Russia Health Declaration: Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Apply for Your Russia Health Declaration?
Complete the health declaration online in minutes. Electronic confirmation and QR code delivery with 24/7 expert support.
Check Price & Apply NowSources & References
- Russia (Russian Federation) — SafeTravel New Zealand
- Entry requirements - Russia travel advice — GOV.UK
- Russia travel advice and advisories — Travel.gc.ca (Government of Canada)
- Entry to Russia — Russian Embassy (South Africa) Consular Services
- Russian Customs — Guidance for Individuals
- OFAC — Russia-related sanctions (U.S. Treasury)
- Smarrtraveller — Russia: Travel Advice & Safety