Poland→Russia
Poland to Russia
Do I need a visa for Russia?
Polish citizens must have a Russian visa and must obtain it before departure. The permission is a physical visa issued by the consular section of the Russian Embassy (or another Russian consulate) and does not permit paid work or study.
Which documents do I need?
Your ordinary passport or a temporary passport is accepted for travel to Russia. A national identity card and a driving licence are not accepted for entry. The travel document must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you leave Russia.
Are vaccinations required for Russia?
No vaccinations are mandatory for entry to Russia. Vaccinations recommended include hepatitis A and B, and tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap); the official guidance also suggests protection against tuberculosis and tick-borne diseases where relevant.
How long can I stay, and can I extend it?
The allowed length of stay varies by case and is set on the visa; no specific maximum is stated here. Arrival registration is required and is completed at the border using a migration card. The migration card is presented during border control and when registering at your place of stay; it must be returned to border officials when you leave.
Can children travel on this route?
Children under 18 travel on the same rules as adults: they must hold an ordinary passport or a temporary passport and do not need parental-consent letters or other extra travel paperwork beyond those documents.
Do I need travel insurance?
Comprehensive travel health insurance is a condition of entry to Russia. The insurance should cover medical treatment, hospitalisation and medical transport; be prepared to meet costs of treatment that may not be covered if your insurance is insufficient.
Where do I get the visa?
The visa application is made through the official Russian visa application portal linked on this page; visas are issued by the consular section of the Russian Embassy (Warsaw) or other Russian consulates. Arrival registration is completed through the official entry-registration portal linked on this page. The Russian Embassy website linked here is for consular help and information, not for submitting visa applications.
Frequently asked questions
Can I travel with my national ID or driving licence instead of a passport?
Your ordinary passport or a temporary passport is accepted for travel to Russia. A national identity card and a driving licence are not accepted for entry.
How long must my passport be valid?
Your travel document must be valid for at least six months beyond the date you leave Russia.
What is the migration card and when do I get it?
You must carry your passport and the migration card during your stay in Russia; the migration card is completed on arrival and presented during border checks and local registration.
How do I register my arrival in Russia?
Arrival registration is completed at the border and handled through the official entry-registration portal linked on this page; during your stay you must present the migration card and other documents when registering at your place of stay.
Will I be asked to show proof of funds at the border?
No proof of funds is required on this route; you will not be asked to show bank statements or cash as a condition of entry.
What documents do children need to travel to Russia?
Children under 18 travelling to Russia need the same accepted travel documents as adults (ordinary passport or temporary passport) and do not need parental-consent letters or extra paperwork beyond those documents.
Do I have to return the migration card when I leave?
You must keep your migration card while in Russia and return it to border officials when you leave; blank migration card forms are provided free on arrival by border control officers or carriers.
What if I need help from the Polish embassy or consulate in Russia?
If your visit requires consular assistance while in Russia, consular help from Poland’s missions may be limited and could require travel to distant offices because some general consulates have had their operations suspended.
Can I get a Russian visa while still in Poland?
The Russian Embassy in Warsaw issues visas through its consular section. You may submit your application without leaving Poland; use the official visa application portal linked on this page to start the process.
What will border officials check at immigration?
You must carry your passport and migration card during checks. A damaged passport or one that does not meet the six‑month validity rule risks refusal of boarding or entry.
Is there an online form for arrival registration?
The official entry-registration portal linked on this page is the route for completing required arrival registration formalities; do not rely on informal procedures—use the official portal when asked to register.
What's the difference between the embassy site and the visa portal?
The official Russian Embassy website linked on this page provides consular information and assistance details, but the visa application must be submitted through the official visa portal also linked on this page.
Where can I check the official rules?
When was this last checked?
Our checker last confirmed these requirements on August 5, 2026. Entry rules can change without notice, so confirm against the official source below before you travel.
Before you travel
- 1Apply before you travel
Apply before you book. Processing times vary, and a refusal cannot be appealed at the border.
Apply on the official site - 2Check your passport
Your passport must stay valid for 6 months beyond your trip.
- 3
- Save your embassy’s contact
Your nearest mission: Russia — worth having if your documents are lost.
Open the embassy page - Read our travel guides
Local knowledge, seasons and customs — things they won't check at the border but that your trip depends on. Everything you need to know.
Open the guide
More about Russia
Europe
- Capital
- Moscow
- Currency
- Russian Ruble (RUB)
- Known for
- Kremlin, Ballet, Landmass, Vodka
- Food
- Borscht, Beef Stroganoff, Blini