Do Australia passport holders need a visa to visit RU?

Australian ordinary passport holders need a traditional (sticker) tourist visa obtained in advance from a Russian consulate or visa centre. Australia is NOT on the list of countries eligible for Russia's unified e-visa, so the online e-visa is not an option. A visa-support (invitation) letter is mandatory. As of 31 May 2026, Australian citizens cannot travel to Russia visa-free and are not eligible for Russia's unified electronic visa (e-visa). The e-visa scheme covers around 64 nationalities (most EU states, China, India, Japan, Turkey, etc.) but Australia, the USA, UK, Canada and New Zealand are excluded. Australians must therefore apply for a conventional consular tourist visa before departure, which requires a tourist invitation / visa-support letter from a Russian travel company or hotel, medical insurance, and an in-person/biometric application at the Russian Embassy in Canberra or an authorised visa centre. A short-stay tourist visa is typically single- or double-entry for up to 30 days. Separately, the Australian Government (DFAT/Smartraveller) maintains its highest 'Do Not Travel' advisory for Russia due to the security situation, the risk of arbitrary detention, and very limited consular assistance; this is a safety warning, not a visa rule, but travellers should weigh it heavily. Russia is NOT in the Schengen area, so Schengen 90/180 and ETIAS rules do not apply.