Russia: Restrictive Visa Exempt Rules for Nationals of Most Commonwealth of Independent States Forthcoming

Effective January 1, 2025, nationals of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (each a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)) will be restricted to staying in Russia visa exempt for a cumulative total of 90 days per calendar year; down from the current total of 90 days per 180-day period. Ukraine, another CIS member, is subject to a different visa regime with Russia and so will not be affected by the above policy change.