The GSA
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Country guide

Russia

Visa

No visa needed

Vaccinations

Conditional

Currency

Rouble (RUB)

Time zones

UTC/GMT +2 - UTC/GMT +12 (Same time as South Africa – 10 hours ahead of South Africa)

Dialing code

+ 7

Best time to go

July – August. For winter sports, visit in Winter (December – February)

Drinking water

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Bottled water is available.

Travel tips

  • If visiting Russian Orthodox churches, women should wear long skirts and keep their heads and shoulders covered and men should wear long pants.
  • Passports should be carried at all times.
  • In rural areas, there may be limited ATM’s and cash should be carried.
  • Avoid political demonstrations.

Visa guide

Entry requirements

  • Passport is to be valid for 6 months from return date, with 2 blank pages
  • On arrival, you must complete a migration card (issued by carriers, or available at port of entry)

Visa requirements

South African Passport holders do not require a visa for tourism or transit, for stays up to 90 days.

  • Visas are required for business and study purposes.

REQUIREMENTS (BUSINESS VISA)

  • Application forms are to be completed online at visa.kdmid.ru. Write down the number of the application form, found at the top right-hand corner. This will be required to continue application completion if your session times out. In order to save a draft of your application, use the "Save draft" option. Note: If a section is not applicable, write "NONE".
  • Once completed online, the form must be printed. A photo (3.5x4.5cm) must be glued and the form must be signed.
  • The printed form must be submitted to the relevant embassy / consular office
  • The original invitation issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia or the Federal Migration Service of Russia must be submitted to the Embassy's disposal. Only original invitation is accepted when lodging a visa application. A telex confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia going directly to the Consular Office is also acceptable.

Medical (Travel) insurance for the period of stay in Russia (This is not mandatory, except for EU citizens)

  • Return air tickets (single-entry visa only)
  • Consular fee

NOTE: If the visa is not checked when received, the Consular Office will take no responsibility for any mistakes in the visa.

Issuing authorities

The Embassy of Russian Federation
316 Brooks Street, Menlo Park, 0081
Tel: 012 362-1337/8; 012 346 1508
E-mail: ruspospr@mweb.co.za
Web: russianembassyza.mid.ru
Consular Office Tel: 021 362 7116
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-30-11:30
Entry by appointment only.

Consulate General in Cape Town
12-th Floor, Norton Rose House, 8 Riebeek Street
Tel: 021 418-3656/7
E-mail: info@russiacapetown.org.za
Web: capetown.mid.ru/
Hours: 8:45 - 11:30
Entry by appointment only.

Visa processing time

4-20 working days. The average visa processing time is 5 working days.

Visa validity

Single-entry and double-entry Business Visas are issued for a period no longer than 90 days.
Multiple-entry Business Visa is issued for up to 1 year.
Please note that stays may not exceed 90 days in every 180 day period.

Visa cost

  • Single Entry: R1600
  • Double Entry: R2560
  • Multiple Entry: R4800

Only cash is accepted. All payments must be done in advance. Costs are subject to fluctuation.
Urgent applications have additional charge.

SA representative

SA Embassy in Moscow:
1 Granatny Pereulok, Moscow 123001
Tel: +7 (495) 926 1177
Web: www.saembassy.ru

Health / vaccinations

Compulsory: Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover)
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tick-Borne Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Tetanus, Polio

Public holidays

2026: Jan 1-2, 5-9; Feb 23; Mar 8-9; May 1, 9, 11; Jun 12; Nov 4; Dec 31

Please check with relevant authorities for the latest updates before travel.

Last updated: 17 June 2026