🇷🇺Russian Federation

🇺🇦UkraineRU-UA

Russian Federation to Ukraine visa requirements

Q: Is there visa-free travel between Russia and Ukraine?

No. Ukraine denounced the former bilateral visa-free agreement. Russian citizens now require a visa for any entry to Ukraine.

Q: Where can a Russian citizen apply for a Ukrainian visa?

Only at Ukrainian diplomatic missions or VFS Global centres in third countries where the applicant holds legal residence. VFS Global centres in Russia were closed in March 2022.

Q: Does holding a visa guarantee entry to Ukraine?

No. The State Border Guard Service can still refuse entry to Russian nationals. A visa is not a guarantee of admission, especially under martial law.

Q: Are there any exceptions for Russian citizens?

Narrow categories such as certain residence-permit holders or humanitarian/family cases may be considered case-by-case, but ordinary tourist travel is not permitted.

Q: How much does a Ukrainian visa cost for a Russian citizen?

The Ukrainian state visa fee is roughly USD 65 for short-term and USD 85 for long-term visas, plus a VFS Global service fee, though tourist visas are not realistically granted.

Russian ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter Ukraine, and in practice tourist travel is not possible. Since 1 July 2022 Ukraine has imposed a full visa regime on Russian citizens and applies comprehensive entry, transit and stay restrictions amid the ongoing war and martial law. There is no tourist channel. As of 30 May 2026 a Russian Federation ordinary passport holder cannot travel to Ukraine for tourism. Ukraine denounced the former bilateral visa-free agreement and introduced a visa regime for Russian citizens effective 1 July 2022, applying it together with broad restrictions on entry, exit, transit, stay and any movement within Ukraine for Russian nationals. VFS Global visa centres on Russian territory were closed in March 2022, so Russian citizens can only lodge a Ukrainian visa application through Ukrainian diplomatic missions or VFS Global centres in third countries (e.g. where they hold legal residence), and even then a visa does not guarantee entry. Ukraine has been under martial law continuously since February 2022; consular and border practice is restrictive and tourism is not an accepted purpose of travel for Russian citizens. Realistically, the only Russian nationals who may enter are narrow categories (e.g. certain residence-permit holders or humanitarian/family cases) decided on a case-by-case basis by the State Border Guard Service. The conservative and accurate verdict for a short tourist visit is visa-required, with the strong practical caveat that travel for tourism is effectively closed and strongly advised against given the active armed conflict and government travel warnings.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa required (tourist travel effectively not available; consular visa only via third-country missions)

Maximum stay

Determined by visa issued; tourism not accepted as a purpose

per entry

Entries

Single/multiple per visa decision (not generally issued for tourism)

from issue date

Visa fee

Approx. USD 65 (short-term) / USD 85 (long-term) standard Ukrainian visa fee, plus VFS service fee

consular fee only

Processing time

From ~10-15 business days, often longer; outcome not guaranteed

standard track

Validity

Per visa decision; short-stay generally up to 90 days within 180 if granted

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Recognize that tourism is not available

Understand that since 1 July 2022 Ukraine applies a full visa regime plus broad entry restrictions to Russian citizens; tourism is not an accepted travel purpose and entry is generally barred during martial law.

· Effective 1 July 2022· War/martial law in force

/02

Confirm eligibility for any visa category

Only narrow categories (e.g. legal residents, humanitarian or family-reunification cases) realistically apply. Check the Ukrainian MFA entry regime page before doing anything else.

· MFA entry regime page· Case-by-case

/03

Locate a third-country application point

VFS Global centres in Russia are closed. Applications must be lodged at Ukrainian diplomatic missions or VFS Global centres in third countries where you hold legal stay (e.g. Kazakhstan, Georgia).

· No centres in Russia· Third-country only

/04

Prepare the documentation

Gather passport valid 6+ months, photos, proof of purpose, proof of legal residence in the third country, medical insurance and financial means; tourism purpose is unlikely to be accepted.

· Passport 6+ months· Medical insurance

/05

Submit application and pay fees

Lodge the visa application, pay the Ukrainian state visa fee plus VFS service fee, and provide biometrics if requested. Expect long, uncertain processing.

· State fee + service fee· Long processing

/06

Understand entry is still discretionary

Even with a visa, the State Border Guard Service can refuse entry to Russian citizens. Do not travel without confirmed authorization, and heed government travel advisories against travel to Ukraine.

· Entry not guaranteed· Active conflict zone

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

Russian Federation -> Ukraine · Visa required (tourist travel effectively not available; consular visa only via third-country missions)

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredValid Russian international passport (6+ months validity beyond intended stay)

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredUkrainian visa obtained in advance (no visa-free or visa-on-arrival for Russian citizens)