COVID-19: Entry requirements updated for foreign nationals and Russian citizens

IMPACT – HIGH

Russia updated its entry requirements for foreign nationals and Russian citizens.

As of Aug. 1, the following requirements are in effect:

• Foreign nationals flying to Russia must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate conducted three days before boarding their flights.
• Foreign nationals crossing borders into Russia by land must also present a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate conducted within three days of traveling.
• COVID-19 PCR test results not in English or Russian must be translated from the language of the country where the test was conducted, and the Russian consulate must certify the translation.
• All travelers from abroad entering Russian ports of entry must complete the arrival questionnaire. Click here to download.
• Employers that send foreign nationals to Russia for work must verify their foreign employees have a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate conducted within three days of arrival. Foreign nationals entering Russia for work must undergo a 14-day quarantine.
• All travelers from abroad entering Russia by air must register on the State Services website before checking in for their flights and complete a paper registration at ports of entry.
• Russian citizens traveling to Russia on regular flights must obtain a COVID-19 PCR test within three days of arriving and report the results on the State Services website.

Background: In late July, Russia clarified its COVID-19 travel requirements for foreign nationals and Russian citizens, including stating that a mandatory 14-day quarantine remains in place for foreign nationals traveling to Russia for work.

Analysis & Comments: The entry testing requirements may cause minor delays for foreign nationals entering Russia. Employers sending employees to Russia for work should plan for the mandatory 14-day quarantine and complete COVID-19 testing before entering Russia. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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