Frequently Asked Questions About The Situation In Russia

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Tensions in the Russian Federation have risen further since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Security risks are particularly acute in the regions bordering Ukraine. Read frequently asked questions about the situation in the Russian Federation below.

General questions

What is the situation in the Russian Federation?

• The colour code of the travel advisory for the Russian Federation is orange and, in some regions, red. Red applies to the regions bordering Ukraine, and to the North Caucasus. This means that you should not travel there, whatever your situation. It is too dangerous.
• The colour code for the rest of the Russian Federation is orange. This means essential travel only. It is not safe to go there on holiday.

Read the current travel advisory for the Russian Federation (information in Dutch)

Are the embassy in Moscow and consulate-general in St. Petersburg open?

The embassy in Moscow is open. The consulate-general in St. Petersburg is temporarily closed.

Check the contact details of the Dutch embassy in Moscow

Can I leave the Russian Federation by plane?

You can fly to the Netherlands via countries such as Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Serbia. The journey distance will be much longer, so expect higher costs and longer travel times. The situation can suddenly change. For example, if the Russian Federation closes its airspace, or if flying via other countries is no longer possible. Contact your airline for the most up-to-date information.

Can I leave the Russian Federation over land?

You cannot travel by passenger train between the Russian Federation and Finland, Estonia or Latvia because the borders are closed.

It is not currently possible to leave the Russian Federation for an EU country in a private car with a Russian registration plate. Check the Russian exit rules and the entry rules of your country of destination carefully before departure.

Take into account that it may get very busy at border crossings if the situation gets worse. Be prepared: make sure you have enough fuel and cash.

Don’t forget you need green card car insurance before you take your car out of the Russian Federation.

I am in the Russian Federation and can't use use my debit card or credit card. What should I do?

Your Dutch debit card or credit card will not work in the Russian Federation. The same applies to Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards. Cards issued by many other European banks also do not work. The Dutch embassy can only offer financial mediation in emergency situations.

Travelling and travel documents

I cannot leave the Russian Federation before my visa expires, because there are no flights. What should I do?

You can contact the embassy in Moscow by email: [email protected].

My Dutch passport is missing, or will expire soon. Can I apply for a new passport?

You can apply for a new passport at the Dutch embassy in Moscow.

Find out how to apply for a passport in the Russian Federation

I need to travel to the Netherlands urgently, but my passport has expired. What should I do?

In some cases, you can apply to the Dutch embassy in Moscow for a laissez-passer at the Dutch embassy in Moscow (emergency travel document valid for a one-way trip to the Netherlands). You can then apply for a regular passport at a border municipality in the Netherlands.

Why are there limitations on applying for a Schengen visa?

The embassy in Moscow is open but operating at reduced capacity. As a result, visa applications can only be submitted for a limited number of travel purposes.

Read about the purposes of travel which a Schengen visa can be applied for under ‘Can I apply for a Schengen visa?’

Can I apply for a Schengen visa?

You can only apply for a Schengen visa in the Russian Federation for the following purposes of travel:

• visiting family members in the first and second degrees
• business
• seafaring
• a cultural or social purpose

If you want to come to the Netherlands for another purpose you cannot apply for a Schengen visa.

Find out more about applying for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands in the Russian Federation

I want to visit family members in the first or second degree in the Netherlands. Can I still apply for a Schengen visa?

If you want to visit the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days to visit family members in the first or second degree you can apply at VFS Global in Moscow, St Petersburg, Vladivostok or Ekaterinburg for a Schengen visa.

The following people are considered to be family members in the first or second degree:

• Family members in the first degree: partner (spouse or registered partner), parent (including adoptive parents and step-parents), parent-in-law, child (including adoptive children and step-children), daughter-in-law, son-in-law
• Family members in the second degree: brother, sister, grandchild, grandparent, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, step-brother or step-sister

Find out more about applying for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands in the Russian Federation

I am Russian. Can I apply for a Schengen visa in a country other than the Russian Federation?

Whether you can apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands outside the Russian Federation, depends on where you live:

• Do you live outside the Russian Federation? You can apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands for all purposes of travel, except for tourism.
• Do you live in the Russian Federation, but have you not been there in the past 6 months? Then you cannot apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands in a country other than the Russian Federation. This is only possible if you have a residence permit for that country and are currently a resident there.

Find out how to apply for a Schengen visa in your country

MVV visa sticker

Can I apply for an MVV visa sticker?

You can apply for an MVV visa sticker at the Dutch embassy in Moscow.

Find out how to apply for an MVV visa sticker in the Russian Federation

I submitted an MVV application to the embassy in Moscow and my application was approved. Can I go the Netherlands?

You can make an online appointment with the Dutch embassy in Moscow to apply for an MVV visa sticker. You can still go to the Netherlands.

I have an appointment for an MVV visa sticker in the Russian Federation or another country. Can I bring the appointment forward so that can I travel to the Netherlands sooner?

If you want to change your appointment for an MVV visa sticker send an email to the Dutch embassy where you have the appointment. The embassy can discuss the options with you.

I am Russian and reside in a country other than the Russian Federation. Can I apply for an MVV visa sticker?

If your application for a residence permit for the Netherlands has been approved and you are in a country other than the Russian Federation you can apply for the MVV sticker at the Dutch embassy or consulate-general in your current country of residence. You do not require a residence permit for that country.

Contact the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to change your application location.

Caribbean visa

Can I apply for a short-stay Caribbean visa?

You can only apply for a short-stay Caribbean visa in the Russian Federation for the following purposes of travel:

• visiting family members in the first and second degrees
• business
• seafaring
• a social or cultural purpose

If you want to come to the Netherlands for another purpose you cannot apply for a short-stay Caribbean visa.

Find out more about applying for a short-stay Caribbean visa in the Russian Federation

Can I apply for a long-stay Caribbean visa?

You can apply for a long-stay Caribbean visa at the Dutch embassy in Moscow.

Find out more about applying for a long-stay Caribbean visa in the Russian Federation

I am Russian. Can I apply for a Caribbean visa in a country other than the Russian Federation?

You can apply for a Caribbean visa in a country other than the Russian Federation if you live there.

Find out how to apply for a short-stay Caribbean visa in your country of residence

Find out how to apply for a long-stay Caribbean visa in your country of residence