The Russian government has maintained visa-free entry for Uzbek citizens but altered the legal stay duration effective January 1, 2025. Now, individuals can remain in the country for a maximum of 90 days within a calendar year, replacing the previous rule of 90 days within 180 days. This shift underscores Moscow's efforts to strengthen migration controls amid broader geopolitical tensions.
Entry requirements include a biometric foreign passport and a migration card. The migration card verifies lawful entry and contains personal details, visit purpose, and arrival date. It must be retained throughout the trip as it is essential for registration, stay extension, or obtaining a work permit. Children require separate biometric passports, as inclusion in parental documents is not accepted.
Registration (notification of arrival) is mandatory if the stay exceeds 15 days. This is processed by the receiving party (e.g., a hotel or private individual), not the foreign citizen themselves. Required documents include the passport, migration card, and identification from the receiving party. Upon registration, a detachable slip is issued, serving as primary proof of legal stay.
By 2026, hotel bookings in Russia present challenges, with international platforms like Booking.com operating under restrictions. Due to payment issues, it is advisable to use local services such as Ostrovok.ru or contact hotels directly. Payment methods should prioritize cash or Russian bank cards, while UnionPay is unreliable.
For employment, a work patent must be obtained within 30 days of entry. Violations of rules, such as overstaying, can result in fines ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 rubles or deportation. New regulations introduced in 2024-2025 include a violators registry, mandatory exams only at state universities, and an experiment in biometric data collection at airports.
The ruID app offers digital identification and document management for foreigners but does not replace the passport. To obtain a SIM card, a passport, migration card, and registration are required, with a limit of 10 active numbers. Biometric registration is necessary for banking services and can be completed through banks or multifunctional centers.
Source: kun.uz