- Capital
- Moscow (MOW)
- Dialing Code
- + 7
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +2 - UTC / GMT +12
- Language
- Russian
- Best Time to Go
- July – August
- Currency
- Rouble (RUB)
Travel Tips
- If visiting Russian Orthodox churches, women should wear long skirts and keep their heads and shoulders covered and men should wear long pants
- Passports should be carried at all times
- In rural areas, there may be limited ATM’s and cash should be carried
- Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans. Avoid political demonstrations
- For winter sports, visit in Winter (December – February)
- All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated, botled water is available
Last updated 7 October 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
The Embassy of Russian Federation
316 Brooks Street, Menlo Park, 0081
Telephone: 012 362-1337/8; 012 346 1508
E-mail: ruspospr@mweb.co.za
Website: russianembassyza.mid.ru
Consular Office Tel: 021 362 7116
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 11:00
Entry by appointment only
Consulate General in Cape Town
12-th Floor, Norton Rose House, 8 Riebeek Street
Tel: 021 418-3656/7
E-mail: info@russiacapetown.org.za
Web: capetown.mid.ru/
Hours: 8:45 - 11:30
Entry by appointment only.
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1 - 2, 5 - 9
February: 23
March: 8 - 9
May: 1, 9, 11
June: 12
November: 4
December: 31
Visa Requirements
South African Passport holders do not require a visa for tourism or transit, for stays up to 90 days
- Visas are required for business and study purposes
REQUIREMENTS (BUSINESS VISA)
- Application forms are to be completed online at visa.kdmid.ru. Write down the number of the application form, found at the top right-hand corner. This will be required to continue application completion if your session times out. In order to save a draft of your application, use the "Save draft" option. Note: If a section is not applicable, write "NONE"
- Once completed online, the form must be printed. A photo (3.5x4.5cm) must be glued and the form must be signed
- The printed form must be submitted to the relevant embassy / consular office
- The original invitation issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia or the Federal Migration Service of Russia must be submitted to the Embassy's disposal. Only original invitation is accepted when lodging a visa application. A telex confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia going directly to the Consular Office is also acceptable
Medical (Travel) insurance for the period of stay in Russia (This is not mandatory, except for EU citizens)
- Return air tickets (single-entry visa only)
- Consular fee
If the visa is not checked when received, the Consular Office will take no responsibility for any mistakes in the visa
Visa Processing Time
- 4 - 20 working days
- The average visa processing time is 5 working days
Visa Validity
- Single-entry and double-entry Business Visas are issued for a period no longer than 90 days
- Multiple-entry Business Visa is issued for up to 1 year
Please note that stays may not exceed 90 days in every 180 day period
Visa Cost
- Single Entry: R1600
- Double Entry: R2560
- Multiple Entry: R4800
- Only cash is accepted
- All payments must be done in advance
- Costs are subject to fluctuation
- Urgent applications have additional charge
Entry Requirements
- Passport is to be valid for 6 months from return date, with 2 blank pages
- On arrival, you must complete a migration card (issued by carriers, or available at port of entry)
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory: Y
ellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover)
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Tick-Borne Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Tetanus, Polio
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy in Moscow:
1 Granatny Pereulok, Moscow 123001
Telephone: +7 (495) 926 1177
Website: www.saembassy.ru