Russia Tightens Migration Rules: 90-Day Limit

Significant changes have occurred regarding the legal framework for foreign nationals entering and residing in the country. The government has moved to enforce stricter controls, culminating in new regulations that took effect in January 2025. These measures represent the latest phase in a tightening of migration policy that began in 2024.

The core of the new policy is a drastic reduction in the amount of time visitors can spend in the country. For citizens of nations that previously enjoyed visa-free travel arrangements, the rules have become much more restrictive. The government aims to manage the flow of people more effectively through these updated protocols.

The year 2025 began with the enforcement of new migration protocols authorized by the government. These rules were introduced to address the presence of foreign citizens and to standardize the duration of their stays. The implementation marks a pivotal moment in the country's approach to border control and immigration management.

According to the established guidelines, the changes specifically target the duration of stay for individuals from countries with visa-free agreements. The previous allowance for extended stays has been revoked in favor of a much shorter timeframe. This adjustment is intended to ensure that visitors adhere to strict timelines regarding their presence within the national borders.

Citizens from visa-free countries are now subject to a strict 90-day limit on their stay. This allowance is calculated on a cumulative basis over a rolling 12-month period. This means that a visitor cannot exceed this total duration regardless of how many separate trips they take within the year.

The new regulation represents a significant reduction from the previous policy. Before the change, foreign nationals could remain in the country for up to six months (180 days) without a visa. The halving of the permitted stay time is a major constraint for those who frequently travel to the country for business, tourism, or personal reasons.

The introduction of the 90-day limit is not an isolated event but rather the culmination of a broader trend that started in 2024. Throughout the previous year, the government initiated a process of gradual tightening of rules surrounding foreign entry and residence. The scale of these changes has been described as reaching record levels by the end of the year.

These measures reflect a strategic shift in how the country manages its borders and interacts with the international community. By reducing the allowable stay for visa-free nationals, the authorities are signaling a move toward more controlled and limited access. The cumulative effect of these policies creates a more restrictive environment for foreign visitors compared to previous years.