From June 30, visa-free travellers to Russia, including South Africans, must submit an electronic pre-arrival application to enter the country.
Applicants must submit a photo, passport information, and details about their trip to Russia. The application must be submitted at least 72 hours before arrival via the Gosuslugi RuID mobile app linked to the government’s unified services portal. If approved, the app will generate a QR code that must be presented at the border, where travellers must also submit their biometric data.
Once submitted, the application is valid for 90 days.
In cases of emergency, such as urgent medical treatment or the death of a family member in Russia, travellers can submit applications up to four hours before arrival.
This new measure is the second phase of a pilot project that started at the end of last year to improve immigration control and streamline border procedures. The pilot system will remain in place until June 2026.
