Relocator setup path
A broad route for people settling in Russia and still clarifying documents, money, phone, housing, and daily life.
Use this as an orientation path. Open the tasks that apply to you and skip the optional ones when your situation is different.
- 1
Before arrival
8 steps
OptionalHigh RiskWizardEntry Route Path Finder
A deterministic checklist for choosing the official Russia entry route before travel.
6 questions5 minutesStart wizardOptionalHigh RiskGuideCheck and apply for a Russian e-visa before arrival
Check e-visa eligibility, apply only through the Russian MFA portal, and keep visa validity separate from the allowed stay.
20-40 minutes for checks and form; processing depends on the MFAOpen guideOptionalHigh RiskGuideTravel Medical Insurance Before Russia: Check Entry Coverage
Human-reviewed red-risk checklist for checking whether your visa, e-visa, visa-free route, or temporary stay needs medical insurance valid in Russia before travel.
20-60 minutes before the official route is clearOpen guideOptionalHigh RiskGuideRuID and digital profile for visa-free entry
Who needs RuID for visa-free entry after 1 July 2026, which exceptions to check, and why a QR code does not guarantee entry.
30-60 minutes; verification can take longerOpen guideModerate RiskGuideDocument checklist for your first days in Russia
A practical document folder for arrival or relocation: what to keep close, what to copy, and where status-specific requirements must be checked.
15-30 minutesOpen guideOptionalHigh RiskGuideKeep an RVP, VNZH, or RVPO renewal calendar
How to track annual notifications, address changes, travel, and renewals for long-term documents.
30-60 minutes to build the calendar; procedures can take weeksOpen guideModerate RiskGuideBook Accommodation in Russia: Payment and Address Checklist
A pre-payment checklist for foreigners: real address, official accommodation check, cancellation terms, payment backup, check-in contact, and foreign-guest paperwork question.
15-30 minutes before paymentOpen guideOptionalHigh RiskGuideTravel With Pets to Russia: Veterinary Document Check
Human-reviewed red-risk checklist for bringing a dog, cat, or other pet to Russia with veterinary documents, airline confirmation, checkpoint, permit, and CITES checks.
20-60 minutes before the official route is clearOpen guide - 2
Start here
13 steps
Moderate RiskGuideFirst 24 hours after arriving in Russia
A calm first-day order: connection, money, transport, documents, address, and emergency contacts.
1-3 hours of active setupOpen guideHigh RiskGuideMigration card after entering Russia
Check your migration card or entry record, keep it with your passport, and do not confuse it with migration registration.
5-10 minutes to check after border controlOpen guideModerate RiskGuideRussian Airport Services: Wi-Fi, Luggage, Cash, and Help
A post-arrival checklist: check Wi-Fi, phone access, luggage storage, bank or exchange desks, official help, transport, and emergency fallback before leaving the terminal.
10-25 minutes after baggage claimOpen guideModerate RiskWizardSIM Card Path Finder
Find the best SIM card option for your situation in Russia.
9 questions6 minStart wizardModerate RiskWizardPayment Path Finder
Find the best payment and banking option for your situation in Russia.
10 questions4 minStart wizardHigh RiskPlannedConfirm registration requirements
Review needed before publishing a full guide
PlannedModerate RiskGuideWhich documents to carry in Russia
What to keep with you, what to store separately, and how to prepare safe copies without sharing sensitive data with Ruvoya.
20-30 minutes to prepareOpen guideModerate RiskGuideDocument checklist for your first days in Russia
A practical document folder for arrival or relocation: what to keep close, what to copy, and where status-specific requirements must be checked.
15-30 minutesOpen guideModerate RiskGuideCash and foreign cards in Russia
Prepare a payment backup: why foreign Visa/Mastercard cards may not work, how much cash to plan, and when to open a separate banking route.
20-40 minutes before travelOpen guideOptionalModerate RiskGuideHow to prepare a notarized passport translation
When a notarized passport translation may be needed and how to check names, dates, and pages before using it with SFR, FNS, MFC, a bank, or university.
1-2 working daysOpen guideHigh RiskGuideAirport, border, and customs checklist after arrival
What to do after landing: passport control, migration card, customs channel, medicine, electronics, and cash.
30-90 minutes after landingOpen guideHigh RiskGuideBook short-stay accommodation that can register foreign guests
What to ask a hotel, apartment, or host before paying so you do not arrive without a lawful address route.
15-30 minutes before booking; processing depends on the hostOpen guideModerate RiskGuidePrepare backup channels for messaging and video calls
How to avoid losing contact if a messenger, calls, or app stores work unreliably.
20-40 minutesOpen guide - 3
First month
4 steps
Moderate RiskPlannedCheck tax number requirements
Review needed before publishing a full guide
PlannedModerate RiskGuideHow to get medical help as a foreigner
What to do in an urgent situation, how to use DMS/OMS or travel insurance, and what to prepare for a first clinic visit.
Immediate for emergency; 1-2 days for a planned visitOpen guideModerate RiskPlannedCheck rental and registration before signing
Review needed before publishing a full guide
PlannedModerate RiskGuideBuy intercity train or bus tickets in Russia
How to choose an official route, enter passport data correctly, prepare payment, and save the ticket offline.
15-45 minutes to buy and check the routeOpen guide - 4
Daily life
5 steps
Moderate RiskGuideEssential apps for living in Russia
A list of must-have apps for foreigners in Russia: navigation (Yandex Maps, 2GIS), taxi (Yandex Go), translation, banking apps, and backup communication channels.
30 minutesOpen guideModerate RiskGuidePlan lawful app and internet access before Russia
Prepare official app downloads, offline maps, translation, SMS/email backups, and messenger fallbacks without using bypass instructions.
30-45 minutesOpen guideLow RiskGuideHow to use public transport in Russia
Troika card (Moscow), Podorozhnik (Saint Petersburg), contactless payment, and mobile apps. Anonymous transport cards require no ID — buy at metro ticket offices for 50-80 rubles.
10 minutesOpen guideLow RiskGuideEmergency numbers and safety for foreigners in Russia
Emergency numbers (112, 101, 102, 103), what to do if you lose your documents, your rights during a police stop, how to report a crime, and embassy contacts.
15 minutesOpen guideOptionalHigh RiskGuideCheck vehicle documents and insurance before driving into Russia
A vehicle checklist: OSAGO insurance, documents, temporary import, customs, toll roads, and route.
1-2 hours to check; processing depends on routeOpen guide