Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues guidance on visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens entering Russia under Decree No. 730
WVR - In relation to the implementation of Decree No. 730 dated October 12, 2026, by the President of the Russian Federation, V. Putin, “On the Temporary Procedure for Entry into and Exit from the Russian Federation for Citizens of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has issued a note with guidelines on the application of the Decree.
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| A corner of Vladivostok city, Russian Federation. (Source: expedia) |
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to share the guidance provided by the Russian side, along with an unofficial translation, for Vietnamese agencies, organizations, and citizens interested in consulting the document, understanding its contents, and using it as a reference.
On the possibility of extending temporary stay in the Russian Federation
- The temporary stay period in the territory of the Russian Federation for citizens of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam entering under visa exemption will not be extended, except in cases where they cannot leave the territory of the Russian Federation due to objective circumstances (illness, natural disasters, force majeure, etc.), confirmed by documents, – until such circumstances are resolved.
In such circumstances, Vietnamese citizens or their hosts need to contact the immigration management unit at their place of residence to extend their temporary stay in the Russian Federation, accompanied by the necessary documents.
In case of violation of the established visa-free stay regime in the Russian Federation, Vietnamese citizens and their hosts will be held administratively accountable and subjected to measures as stipulated in Articles 25.10, 26, 27 of the Federal Law dated August 15, 1996, No. 114-FZ “On the Procedure for Exit from the Russian Federation and Entry into the Russian Federation”.
If the application for an extension of temporary stay is made within the deadline, administrative measures will not be applied.
On Vietnamese citizens losing passports during their stay in the Russian Federation
- In the event that a Vietnamese citizen loses their passport while staying in the territory of the Russian Federation, they must file a report with the local Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, then proceed to the Vietnamese diplomatic or consular mission in Russia to apply for temporary travel documents to exit the Russian Federation.
Foreign citizens without documents confirming their right of stay (residence) in the Russian Federation, or who have lost such documents without filing a report with the local authority of the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs, will be considered as illegally residing in the territory of the Russian Federation and will be held accountable under Russian Federal Law (Article 25.10 of the Federal Law dated August 15, 1996, No. 114-FZ “On the Procedure for Exit from the Russian Federation and Entry into the Russian Federation”).
Foreign citizens violating the residence (stay) regime in the Russian Federation, manifested by the absence of documents confirming their right of stay (residence) in the Russian Federation, or in the event of losing such documents without filing a loss report with the competent authority, or evading exit from the Russian Federation after the expiration of the permitted stay period, if such actions do not constitute a criminal offense, will be held administratively accountable under Part 1.1 Article 18.8 of the Russian Federation Code of Administrative Offenses, with penalties including fines and administrative expulsion from the Russian Federation.
On registration at the place of residence
- Foreign citizens, regardless of nationality or form of entry into the territory of the Russian Federation, must register at their place of residence in accordance with Federal Law No. 109-FZ dated July 18, 2006, “On Migration Registration of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Russian Federation”, the Regulation on the Implementation of Migration Registration of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Russian Federation approved by Decree No. 09 dated January 15, 2007, of the Government of the Russian Federation, and the Administrative Regulation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation on the provision of migration registration services for foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Russian Federation, approved by Directive No. 856 dated December 10, 2020, of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
Within 7 working days from the arrival of a Vietnamese citizen at the place of residence, a notification must be submitted to the local authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
According to the general rule, the receiving party (foreign citizen) is obliged to submit a notification to the local authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia about the arrival of the foreign citizen at the place of residence and submit other necessary documents for the registration of the foreign citizen.
The receiving party can be individuals, legal entities authorized to use housing or other facilities, including under civil contracts, to provide to third parties, and individuals, legal entities actually providing these facilities for foreign citizens to reside. To register at the place of residence, the foreign citizen provides the receiving party with identity documents and an entry declaration.
Currently, the Government of the Russian Federation has implemented the possibility of residence registration through multifunctional centers providing state and urban services, via the State and Urban Services Portal (Functions).
After registration at the place of residence, the receiving party (including hotel service providers) must provide the foreign citizen with a notification confirming the foreign citizen's presence at the place of residence, which the foreign citizen must retain until their exit from the Russian Federation.
From 2023, the basis for foreign citizens to directly notify the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia about their residence has been expanded:
- If the foreign citizen and the receiving party – that is, the owner of the housing where the foreign citizen resides – have personal accounts on the Unified State Services Portal (EPGU) and the accounts have been verified;
- If a written housing lease agreement has been signed between the foreign citizen and the housing owner;
- If the foreign citizen actually resides at the facility address listed in the application for an invitation letter to enter the Russian Federation.
According to clause 2, part 1, Article 23 of Federal Law No. 109-FZ dated July 18, 2006, “On Migration Registration of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Russian Federation”, when a foreign citizen exits the Russian Federation, their registration at the place of residence will terminate.
Therefore, upon re-entry into the Russian Federation, Vietnamese citizens will have to re-register at the place of residence according to the general procedure, regardless of the form of entry (with a visa or visa exemption).
On the collection of biometric personal data of foreign citizens
- Upon entry into the Russian Federation, if technical conditions permit, foreign citizens will have their biometric personal data collected.
On the entry declaration
- According to Article 25.9 of Federal Law No. 114-FZ dated August 15, 1996, “On the Procedure for Exit from the Russian Federation and Entry into the Russian Federation”, foreign citizens or stateless persons entering the Russian Federation are obliged to receive and complete an entry declaration. The entry declaration must be submitted (returned) at the checkpoint across the National Border of the Russian Federation when the foreign citizen or stateless person exits the Russian Federation.
The form of the entry declaration, usage method, and funding for issuing the entry declaration are determined by the Government of the Russian Federation.
According to the provisions of the Russian Federation Government Decree No. 413 dated August 16, 2004, “On Migration Cards”, the entry declaration is retained by the foreign citizen throughout their stay in the Russian Federation.
Foreign citizens entering the Russian Federation are obliged to receive and fill out the entry declaration.
When exiting the Russian Federation, foreign citizens are obliged to submit the entry declaration at the checkpoint across the national border of the Russian Federation to the authorized officer of the border control agency.
In the event of damage or loss of the entry declaration, foreign citizens are obliged, within 3 days, to report this to the nearest local authority of the Federal Executive Body responsible for migration issues at their place of residence. The aforementioned authority, upon presentation of the documents used by the foreign citizen to enter the Russian Federation, will issue a free copy of the entry declaration according to the procedure established by the Federal Executive Body responsible for internal affairs.
The loss of the entry declaration and failure to file a report on the loss of the card with the competent authority is grounds for administrative accountability under Part 1.1 Article 18.8 of the Russian Federation Code of Administrative Offenses.
