Passports in Russia have a long history, with formal travel documents like proezzhie gramoty appearing in the 17th century, but the modern internal passport system (propiska) began in the Soviet Union with a decree in December 1932, making internal passports mandatory for urban residents to control population movement, especially from rural areas, and this system continued with modifications until the modern Russian passports were introduced after 1991.
And as both mobility and general chaos increased with Stalin's revolution from above at the end of the 1920s and early 1930s a crisis point was reached. In response, the Soviet state introduced internal passports in 1932, which were patterned in many ways on their old regime predecessors.
The Internal Russian passport is a mandatory identity document for all Russian citizens residing in Russia who are aged 14 or over.
Identity documents
Internal passport; issued by the Ministry of Interior and only used within Russia for identity purposes.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Soviet passports continued to be issued until 2000 in the Russian Federation, and in other post-Soviet states, until they were replaced with national passports gradually by 2001.
Asia, led by Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, continues to hold a strong lead in global mobility. The United States, tied at 12th place with Malaysia, now grants visa-free access to 180 destinations, putting it behind most major European countries.
Applicants need to live in Russia on PR for at least 5 years, and the period of residing outside Russia should not be more than 3 months in a year. Applicants need to abide by the Russian constitution. Applicants must have renounced their former citizenship to acquire citizenship.
The two Russian passports serve different purposes. One is for domestic use (ID) while the other one is for travel abroad like with a “normal” passport.
We recommend that U.S. citizens who choose to travel to or remain in Russia despite the current Level 4 Advisory prepare contingency plans for emergency situations. During times of increased drone activity in Russia, major flight disruptions can occur.
Russian Federation's passport holds a prestigious position in the global passport rankings for 2026. As one of the world's most powerful travel documents, it offers its holders exceptional global mobility and access to a vast number of countries without the need for prior visa arrangements.
India's 30 days free e-visa tourists' facility for Russians, announces PM Modi #NarendraModi #VladimirPutin #EVisa #Visa #IndiaRussia #Travel.
From November 10, 2025, new rules for extending the period of temporary stay for foreign citizens in Russia come into force. Order No. 785 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated October 21, 2025, introduces key changes to migration procedures, making it mandatory for most applicants to file a specific application.
"57 countries visa-free" refers to the number of destinations Indian passport holders can access with visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival (VoA), e-Visa, or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), as per recent reports of the Henley Passport Index for 2025. Key visa-free or easy-access spots include Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Qatar, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Fiji, covering Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
After western Russia came under Lithuanian control in the 14th century, Jews were granted privileges. It was during this period that many Jews emigrated to portions of western Russia and Ukraine.
As you know the Russian Federation offers two types of Russian travel passports, biometric and non-biometric; Biometric travel passports are valid for 10 years after the date of issue. Non-biometric travel passports are valid for 5 years after the date of issue.
The first known people to set foot on Russian territory were called the Cimmerians. They ruled between 1000 and 700 BCE and were followed by the Scythians in 700 BCE. The Scythian nomads established a military state and defeated the Persians, but were nonetheless conquered by the Sarmatians in 3 BCE.
As the USA does not offer visa-free travel to Russian nationals, Russian nationals require a visa for any form of US entry.
Whilst tap water in large Russian cities is mostly pure, and much of the nation's water meets its drinking standards, it is not advisable to drink tap water in the country. Tap water in different regions often feature different chemicals, sometimes in excess, that may have long-term health effects.
Travelers need a visa to visit Russia for Business or Tourism. Travelers must obtain a paper or embassy visa from an embassy, consulate or visa center before traveling.
Russia. There is a widespread, though not universal, custom for a newly married wife to adopt the husband's family name. However, as Russia is not a common law country, any name change requires a formal procedure including an official application to the civil acts registrar.
Acquisition and loss of citizenship
Any person born in Russia automatically receives Russian citizenship by birth if at least one parent is a Russian citizen.
Polygamous marriages are not recognized in the Russian Federation.
To enter the Russian Federation, citizens of the Republic of India need a visa. Visa-free entrance to the Russian Federation is granted to: citizens of the Republic of India - holders of diplomatic and official passports for a period of up to 90 days; citizens of the Republic of India - members of aircraft crews.
Australia. One of the most popular tourist, migrant-friendly countries is Australia, and it is considered one of the easiest countries to get citizenship for Indians. Australia offers several visa pathways to PR, and you are required to live in Australia for 4 years before applying for citizenship.
You are able to stay in India for up to 90 days. If you wish to stay longer, please refer to the information at the top of this page to see if there are any long-stay visa options. If there are none, please contact your nearest Indian embassy or consulate for more information on how to extend your stay.