It is a mess. That is basically the only way to describe the current state of international travel for anyone holding a Russian passport in 2026. If you are looking for the old days of easy multi-year Schengen stickers or a quick hop to New York, those are long gone. Honestly, the landscape is shifting so fast that what worked in November might get you turned away at a border in January.
The Schengen Situation: No More Multi-Entry "Golden Days"
The European Union basically dropped a hammer on the table late last year. Since November 2025, the European Commission has moved to end the issuance of multiple-entry visas for most Russian nationals. This isn't just a minor tweak. It is a fundamental shift in how the EU views Russian travelers.
High Representative Kaja Kallas put it bluntly: moving through Europe is a "privilege, not a given." What does this mean for you on the ground? Well, if you’re applying for a tourist visa today, you’re almost certainly getting a single-entry stamp. You go in, you come out, and the visa is dead. You want to go back next month? You start the whole expensive, exhausting process from scratch.
Scrutiny is through the roof. Consular officers are looking at every application like it’s a security risk. They're worried about everything from "weaponized migration" to simple sabotage.
- Italy, France, Spain, and Greece remain the "big four." They are still the most likely to grant you a visa, but don't expect the three-year or five-year durations of the past.
- Frontline states like Poland, Finland, and the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) have essentially shuttered their doors to tourists. The numbers are tiny—we’re talking a few hundred visas a year compared to hundreds of thousands in the south.
- The Cost Factor: Ever since the Visa Facilitation Agreement was scrapped, you’re looking at a standard fee of €90 for adults. And that's before you pay the "service fees" to companies like VFS Global or Almavivah.
There are exceptions, of course. If you’re a journalist, a human rights defender, or you have immediate family legally living in the EU, you might still snag a multiple-entry visa. But even then, the paperwork is a mountain.
The 2026 U.S. Immigrant Visa Pause
The United States recently threw a massive curveball. As of January 21, 2026, the State Department officially paused the issuance of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, and Russia is right there on the list.
This is a specific "public charge" concern. The logic from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the current administration is that they want to reassess procedures to ensure new arrivals won't rely on public assistance.
Wait. Don't panic yet.
This pause does not apply to non-immigrant visas. If you are applying for a B1/B2 tourist visa, a student visa (F1), or a work visa like an H-1B, you are still "in the game." However, since the U.S. Embassy in Moscow isn't doing routine visa interviews, you’re likely heading to Warsaw or Astana.
Actually, for immigrant visas (if you’re already in the pipeline), Warsaw is the designated processing post. But for the moment, even if you pass your interview, that physical visa won't be printed until this "indefinite pause" is lifted. It’s a holding pattern that has left thousands of families in limbo.
Getting There: The Logistics are a Nightmare
Even if you get the sticker in your passport, you have to figure out how to actually reach your destination. You can't just fly from Sheremetyevo to Berlin.
Airspace is closed. Sanctions are tight.
Air Serbia is currently the only European carrier still flying directly into Russia, connecting Belgrade with Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, and Sochi. It’s the "golden gate" for those who can afford the tickets, which are—frankly—astronomical.
Most people are "hubbing." Istanbul is the undisputed king of the transit world right now. Turkish Airlines and Pegasus are running constant flights. If you're looking for something slightly cheaper, you might look at Yerevan, Armenia, or even Dubai and Doha, though those add hours to your travel time.
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Why Visa Restrictions for Russian Citizens Keep Changing
It’s all about security and politics. The 19th package of EU sanctions and various U.S. presidential proclamations have turned travel into a tool of diplomacy. Some countries, like Hungary or Slovakia, try to keep things a bit more open, but they are often outvoted or pressured by the broader bloc.
If you are planning a trip, you need to be realistic. The "refusal rate" is higher than it has been in decades. If your bank statements don't look perfect, or if you can't explain exactly why you need to visit the Louvre for the fifth time, you might get a rejection.
Real-World Advice for 2026
- Apply Early: We're talking 6 months in advance for Schengen. The "15-day processing" is a myth for most Russian applicants now; 45 days is the new normal.
- Prove Financial Independence: For the U.S. especially, showing you have the funds to support yourself without "public charge" risk is the #1 priority.
- Check Third-Country Rules: If you’re applying in Serbia or Turkey because you can’t get an appointment in Russia, make sure the consulate there actually accepts non-residents. Many have stopped.
- Single Entry is the Rule: Plan your itinerary assuming you will only get one shot. Don't book a "multi-country" trip that leaves the Schengen zone and tries to come back in (like going to London and then back to Paris) unless you have a multi-entry visa in hand.
The world is a lot smaller for Russian travelers right now. It's not impossible to travel, but the era of the "global citizen" has been replaced by a gauntlet of paperwork and geopolitical tension.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the current appointment availability at the U.S. Embassy in Astana or Warsaw if you are planning a business trip, as these slots fill up months in advance. For EU travel, prioritize applications through Italy or Spain, as they remain the most consistent issuers of short-stay visas despite the new single-entry default.