In May of 2017 Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law regarding the temporary simplified visa regime for football fans visiting the country for the 2018 World Cup. According to the statement from the Russian Embassy, foreign citizens and stateless persons can entry Russia within the framework of the FIFA 2018 World Cup without issued Russian visas. Dates of the FIFA 2018 World Cup: June 14 - July 15, 2018.

However, even though the football fans can avoid the routine visa issuing process, they have to make sure they get their FAN ID after purchasing match tickets. FAN ID will allow foreigners to enter the country and the stadiums. Russian citizens are also required to have their FAN ID to watch the live football. Since the facilitated visa policy is an absolutely unique experience for Russia, the visa-free entry was trialed during the Confederations Cup in summer 2017. Russia is ready to host the FIFA 2018 World Cup in the cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Saransk, and Volgograd.

Keep in mind that you still NEED a Russian visa, if:

• You are traveling to Russia anytime outside the World Cup 2018;
• You are traveling with a football fan(s), but you don’t have your own FAN ID.

If you don’t want to lose a chance to accompany your friend/spouse/partner, but you are not that much of a football fan, apply for a Russian visa now, and discover beautiful Russia while the stadiums are getting busy with the football craziness.