Russia has extended its temporary visa-free entry arrangement for citizens of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) who hold ordinary passports. The arrangement took effect on 20 July 2026 and remains available through 31 December 2027, subject to reciprocity. It allows eligible Chinese nationals to enter Russia without first obtaining a visa for specified purposes and to stay for no more than 30 days.
Who can use the visa-free arrangement
The extended arrangement applies to citizens of the People’s Republic of China travelling with ordinary passports. An ordinary passport is the passport used by a person for regular international travel; travellers should confirm the type of passport they hold before relying on this procedure.
The rule covers private visits, business trips, tourism, transit and participation in events specified in the presidential decree. It does not state that every purpose of travel is visa-free. If your reason for coming to Russia is not clearly among these purposes, verify the applicable visa category with the relevant Russian consulate before making travel plans.
Length of stay and validity period
A visa-free stay under this arrangement may not exceed 30 days. This is the maximum period stated for eligible travel, so travellers should plan their arrival and departure dates carefully before entering Russia.
The visa-free procedure has been extended through 31 December 2027 inclusive. The change entered into force on 20 July 2026. Before departure, check that your planned date of entry falls within this period and review the official text of the decree for the current conditions.
What to check before entering Russia
Before entry, confirm three essential points: that you are a PRC citizen using an ordinary passport, that your purpose matches a permitted visa-free purpose, and that the planned stay will be no longer than 30 days. These checks should be completed before travel rather than after arrival.
The available source does not specify further entry documents, a particular application channel, or additional border formalities. For current requirements, travellers should consult the official decree and verify practical entry conditions with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or the Russian consulate responsible for their place of application or residence.
Border entry and steps after arrival
The extension concerns visa-free entry; it does not remove the need to comply with any applicable Russian border procedures. At the border, a traveller should be ready to present the ordinary passport used for travel and ensure that the stated purpose and length of stay are consistent with the visa-free arrangement.
The source does not describe registration after arrival, deadlines for registration, or the consequences of staying longer than permitted. Those matters should therefore be checked separately through official Russian authorities. Do not assume that a visa-free entry rule answers all post-arrival requirements, particularly where accommodation, family connections, work, property or a longer stay may be involved.
Что проверить
- Confirm that you hold an ordinary passport of the People’s Republic of China.
- Plan a stay in Russia of no more than 30 days.
- Match your purpose of travel to a permitted visa-free purpose: a private, business or tourist trip, transit, or participation in an event listed in the decree.
- Check that your entry into Russia will take place no later than 31 December 2027.
- Read the official text of the decree before travelling and confirm any additional conditions with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or the relevant Russian consulate.
- If your trip does not fit the listed purposes or may exceed 30 days, check the appropriate Russian visa category and application procedure with the relevant Russian consulate before departure.
