Coronavirus (COVID19) travel information and advice
Latest news:
27th April 2021 - Russia has now relaxed its coronavirus entry requirements to give citizens from a list of countries, including the United Kingdom, more options to cross its borders.
Citizens from 29 countries with which Russia has resumed regular air traffic can enter Russia via a flight from either their own country of citizenship or any of the other 28 countries. Although direct flights between Russia and the UK are suspended until at least 1st June 2021, this will mean British citizens can enter Russia via a connecting flight from one of the designated third countries.
The current list of countries this applies to is: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Britain, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Greece, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Maldives, Qatar, Serbia, the Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkey, UAE, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Vietnam.
16th April 2021 - Due to the wide spread of the new variant of coronavirus across the UK and the current national lockdown, the Russian government has taken the decision to extend the suspension of flights from the UK to Russia until 2nd June 2021.
The Russian Visa Application Center is currently still open and can accept new visa applications for any travel due to take place after 1st June 2021, although please be aware that resuming of flights may be further postponed depending on the COVID situation in the UK.
Despite the absence of flights between Great Britain and the Russian Federation, there are still certain categories of foreign citizens, who have the right to fly to Russia through third countries and cross the country's border.
Please note: Visa extensions and compensation for visa fees cannot be granted at this time in accordance with current legislation.
To check the current lockdown rules regarding travel from the UK please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
Quarantine rules for UK arrivals
All British and Irish citizens and UK residents who arrive in England after being in a high-risk Covid country must now stay in quarantine in a government approved hotel for 10 days. Non-UK travellers who have been in these countries 10 days prior to travelling are banned from entry. The "red list" of 33 countries can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-measures-to-protect-the-uk-from-variant-strains-of-covid-19
All incoming passengers must complete a passenger locator form in advance, including their departure country and UK address. Passengers have to pre-book and pay £1,750 to spend 10 days in government-sanctioned hotels. The additional rate for one extra adult or a child aged over 12 is £650, and for a child aged five to 12 it is £325.The cost covers the hotel stay, transport and testing. Accommodation must be booked in advance through an online booking system.
Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Birmingham and Farnborough Airport are currently designated as airports where people requiring hotel quarantine can enter the UK.
Passengers must take two coronavirus tests, one on day two and the other on the eigth day of quarantine, testing positive will require passengers to self-isolate for a further 10 days.
For further information, please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-test-to-release-for-international-travel
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/booking-and-staying-in-a-quarantine-hotel-when-you-arrive-in-england
Test and release scheme
Russia is not designated as a high-risk Covid country list. Under the "test to release" scheme, travellers from countries not on the red list requires two tests during the quarantine process. Travellers will be required to get a test on days two and eight of their 10-day quarantine period, testing positive will require passengers to self-isolate for a further 10 days. You can take a test no earlier than the 2nd day after arrival in England. Travellers also have to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours before travelling to be allowed entry. All incoming passengers must complete a passenger locator form in advance, including their departure country and UK address.
We have a partnership with Rightangled who is on the list of providers of Test to Release for international travel. If you would like to obtain your PCR test through us Click here to learn more.
LAST REVIEWED: 16th April 2021
LAST UPDATED: 16th April 2021