Russian Visa for cruise passengers
Cruise passengers: According to the Russian Federation Government Decree #532 of 28th, August 2003, cruise passengers arriving onboard the cruise ship and staying in the country for less than 72 hours (accommodation provided onboard), do not need a Russian tourist visa if they participate in a tour program organized by the certified travel company. Our tour company is fully certified and insured to provide our cruise customers with our Tour ticket which gives you the right to go ashore visa-free.
Onboard the cruise ship, all cruise passengers will be asked to complete the Migration card (which is obligatory for all cruise passengers arriving in Russia). The ship will give you blank forms. Section ‘visa number’ is left blank for cruise passengers participating in our organized tours.
In the morning, when the ship arrives to St. Petersburg, you will leave the board of the ship and proceed to the Immigration Control. In order to facilitate the procedures at the Immigration check-point, please ensure before leaving the ship that you have the following documents ready:
- Your personal Tour ticket;
- Your passport;
- Passport photo copy (photo page)
At the Immigration check point the officer will check your documents, keep the side “A” of the Migration Card” with him, put a stamp in your passport and give you Red Shore Pass. The rest of documents will be returned to you. Please keep them safe until departure from the Russian Federation as these papers will be required for boarding the ship on your way back. After passing the Immigration Control you will proceed to the terminal meeting area where your guide will be waiting for you with Guide-Guru sign.
The entire disembarking process and Immigration control will take 20-30 minutes.
Our earlier customers reported to us about all kinds of misleading instructions given by the cruise line. The ship administration encourage you to order cruise ship excursions warning against private tours where you need Russian visa for disembarking. We guarantee your visa-free disembarkation because we are fully certified and register our customers with the Port Immigration Control in advance.
Upon arrival, you may hear announcement that those passengers having made their private arrangements must wait until the ship's own excursion passengers exit first. You are advised to wait in certain areas until the exact disembarking time for private tours is announced. The thing is that you have absolutely equal rights with the rest of ship's customers because you hold proper documentation for disembarking. It means you can freely walk with other passengers. For the Russian Immigration inspector there is no difference whether you are a member of the ship's group or taking a private tour. Coming off the ship in time will save your tour time and will allow you to arrive to places earlier that big cruise ship buses.
Independent tourists: If you plan to arrive by plane, train or bus, you would need to obtain a Russian Tourist visa in your home country. When booking our tours, you can request to provide you the Tourist Confirmation and Tourist Voucher that you submit to your local Russian Consulate to obtain a Russian visa. Please contact us via info@guide-guru.com.
