Russia’s Foreign Ministry has reported work on easier travel arrangements with China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. The announcement matters to Russian citizens and foreign nationals planning short trips between Russia and these countries, particularly people considering organised group travel. It does not, however, create automatic visa-free access for every traveller or every purpose of travel. For people connected to Russia through family, children, work or property, it is important to separate this news from Russian entry formalities. The reported measures concern travel arrangements with Asian countries; they do not announce a change to Russia’s visa categories, electronic visa procedure, border documents or post-arrival migration registration rules. The legally relevant requirements will be those in official agreements and published implementation rules.

What the Russian Foreign Ministry has announced

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, Russia and China already apply a reciprocal visa-free regime. The Foreign Ministry also said that the two countries are discussing making visa-free travel by their citizens permanent. In 2025, tourism flows between Russia and China reportedly rose by 17% and exceeded three million trips.

The ministry is also working on travel-liberalisation agreements with Indonesia and Malaysia. With Vietnam, a mechanism for group visa-free tourist exchanges is expected. The announcement did not provide dates for the launch of the Indonesia, Malaysia or Vietnam arrangements, and it did not state that the proposed China arrangement has already been made permanent.

Who may be affected — and who should not assume eligibility

The plans may affect Russian citizens and foreign nationals making tourist or other short trips between Russia, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. The Vietnam proposal is particularly relevant to travellers who intend to travel as part of an organised tourist group, rather than independently.

Eligibility cannot be assumed from the announcement alone. Entry conditions can depend on nationality, destination, purpose of travel and whether the trip is individual or organised as a group. A traveller holding a passport from a country other than Russia should check the rules that apply to that specific passport, not rely on rules described for Russian citizens.

Before entering an Asian destination from Russia

Do not stop applying for a visa or other entry document merely because a future simplification has been discussed. For Indonesia and Malaysia, do not plan on visa-free entry until an intergovernmental agreement and the rules for applying it are officially published. For Vietnam, confirm that the group visa-free tourist exchange mechanism has actually started and establish who is permitted to arrange or join a qualifying group.

For a visa-free trip to China, verify the current conditions before departure. These may include the permitted period of stay, passport requirements, return or onward tickets and proof of accommodation. The applicable conditions, as well as the method of application where a visa remains necessary, should be checked with the Russian Foreign Ministry, the destination country’s Foreign Ministry, or the relevant embassy or consulate.

Border documents and carrier checks

Even where visa-free travel is available, a visa waiver does not remove the need to meet border requirements. Before travelling, check the current instructions issued by the carrier and border authorities. They may ask for evidence of onward departure or proof that the traveller has sufficient financial means.

This verification should take place before tickets are treated as final. A traveller who relies on an unlaunched agreement or incomplete information may be refused boarding, need to arrange a visa urgently, or be refused entry. No specific nationality-based conditions, application locations, fees or processing times were provided in the Foreign Ministry’s announcement, so these points must be confirmed with the appropriate consulate.

What this means for entry and registration in Russia

Nothing in the announcement changes the formalities for entering Russia. If you are travelling to Russia rather than from Russia to an Asian destination, continue to follow the current Russian rules for your nationality and travel purpose. This may include obtaining the appropriate visa or electronic visa where available, carrying the required border documents and checking whether your planned activity matches the basis of entry.

After arrival in Russia, follow the current migration registration rules that apply to your circumstances. The reported discussions with China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia do not replace those rules. Check the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, or the specific Russian consulate for the current visa, entry and registration requirements before filing an application or travelling.

Что проверить

  • Identify your nationality, destination, travel purpose and whether you will travel individually or as part of an organised group.
  • Check the Russian Foreign Ministry, the destination country’s Foreign Ministry or embassy, and the relevant consulate for the entry rules currently applicable to your passport.
  • For visa-free travel to China, verify the permitted stay, passport requirements, return or onward ticket rules, and accommodation confirmation requirements before departure.
  • For Vietnam, confirm whether the group visa-free tourist exchange mechanism has officially started, who may take part and how the group is arranged.
  • Do not assume visa-free entry to Indonesia or Malaysia until an intergovernmental agreement and its implementation rules are officially published.
  • If a visa is required, apply through the normal consular procedure and allow time for a consular appointment and processing.
  • Before travel, review the carrier’s and border authorities’ current requirements, including any evidence of onward travel or financial means they may request.