South AfricaRussia

Russia visa for South African citizens

Visa-free up to 90 days

South African citizens can visit Russia without a visa for up to 90 days.

Maximum stay
90 days
Where to apply
Nothing to apply for in advance

Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index · Confirm at russianembassyza.mid.ru

For longer stays: study, work and residence

All visa types for Russia

Russian citizens travelling to South Africa

RussiaSouth Africa Visa-free, 90 days South Africa visa for citizens of Russia

Travel advice for Russia

  • US State Department Level 4: Do not travel
  • UK Foreign Office (FCDO) Advises against all travel to the whole country
  • German Foreign Office Travel warning for the whole country (Reisewarnung)

What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.

For a trip from South Africa to Russia, the published travel advice reads as follows: the US State Department rates Russia at Level 4, do not travel (updated 28 December 2025), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advises against all travel to Russia (updated 18 September 2026) and the German Foreign Office has a travel warning (Reisewarnung) for Russia (updated 21 October 2026).

Good to know

How long South African citizens can stay in Russia

South African citizens may stay in Russia for up to 90 days. The stay granted is recorded on entry to Russia.

Russia’s neighbours for South African citizens

Georgia admits South African citizens visa-free. China, Belarus, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Norway and North Korea require South African citizens to obtain a visa in advance.

Russian citizens travelling to South Africa

Russian citizens do not need a visa for South Africa: stays of up to 90 days are visa-free. The rule is the same in both directions between South Africa and Russia.

Frequently asked questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for Russia?

South African citizens can visit Russia without a visa for up to 90 days.

How long can South African citizens stay in Russia?

South African citizens can stay in Russia for up to 90 days.

Do Russian citizens need a visa for South Africa?

Russian citizens do not need a visa for South Africa: stays of up to 90 days are visa-free.

Can South African citizens enter Russia visa-free?

Yes, South African citizens can enter Russia without a visa and stay for up to 90 days.

Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.