We are providing the information below to assist U.S. Citizens planning to depart Russia given the uncertainty surrounding circumstances there following recent Russian military actions in Ukraine. This information will be updated daily by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time at travel.state.gov.
U.S. citizens should consider departing Russia immediately via commercial options still available. U.S. Citizens wishing to depart Russia have several options listed below. The situation on Russian borders is constantly evolving, and this page will be updated to reflect these changes.
Per U.S. Embassy Moscow’s February 28, 2022, Message to U.S. Citizens, those seeking to depart Russia should consider taking the following steps to facilitate their travel.
- Explore commercial air routing through non-European destinations. Flights remain available, for example, through Middle East and/or Asian transit points on major airlines including Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Fly Dubai, Etihad, Air India, and others. Flights out of Russia are also available from the Russian Far East (Vladivostok) on Korean Airlines, amongst other carriers.
- Travelers should also explore flights out of Russia on smaller carriers to a third country and then look to book onward flights to the United States through a separate reservation originating in the third country.
- Family/friends outside of Russia may be able to assist in securing an airline ticket for the traveler in Russia and provide the flight/ticket information electronically, especially if credit/debit cards are not working, as described below.
- Private global travel agencies may be able to assist in securing onward travel through commercial airlines. Some global travel agencies include:
Note: This is just a sample of global travel agencies. Inclusion on this list does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State.
Travelers may also depart via some of Russia’s land borders. More information is below.
Commercial airline routings, capacity, and availability are changing rapidly in response to events, and travelers seeking to depart should regularly check airline websites for the latest information.
Use of Credit/Debit Cards: As a result of sanctions imposed on Russian banks in response to the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian forces in Ukraine, some credit and debit cards may be declined, and/or merchants may be unable to process credit card transactions. Travelers may consider using alternative credit cards, cash, or other forms of payment, or request that family/friends outside of Russia purchase their ticket. It is unclear at this point what the impact will be on the use of various credit cards, or how long credit and debit cards will continue to be accepted. U.S. citizen should take this into account when making their plans.
We encourage U.S. citizens to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency. U.S. Citizens in Russia can email moscowacs@state.gov for assistance.
Read alerts and messages on security and border crossing issues from the U.S. Embassy in Russia.
KEY LINKS
Latest Travel Advisory and Alerts
Departing Russia by air:
U.S. citizens wishing to depart Russia by land should be prepared to comply with country-specific entry requirements. Direct flights are currently operating from Moscow and other major Russian cities to Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Thailand, India, and other destinations. European and North American airspace remains closed. Please consult airlines and travel websites for schedules and availability.
Departing Russia by land:
U.S. citizens wishing to depart Russia by land should be prepared to comply with country-specific entry requirements, which may differ from the entry requirements for travelers arriving by plane. See the webpage of the U.S. Embassy in the country you wish to enter for COVID requirements. For a list of embassies, click here.
SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON ENTERING NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES FROM RUSSIA:
Azerbaijan
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Baku, call +994 12 488-3300, or email the American Citizens Services unit at BakuACS@state.gov
Click here to see all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Azerbaijan.
Belarus
Do not travel to Belarus due to the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of detention, the Russian military attack on neighboring Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military in Belarus along the border with Ukraine, COVID-19, and related entry restrictions. U.S. citizens in Belarus should depart immediately via commercial or private means. Read the travel advisory for Belarus here.
Estonia
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Estonia, call 372-668-8128, or email ACSTallinn@state.gov.
Click here to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Estonia.
Estonia is not allowing air traffic from Russia due to EU sanctions. U.S. citizens are allowed to cross into Estonia. U.S. citizens’ family members of other nationalities may require Estonian visas to enter.
Finland
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Finland, call +358-9-616-250, or email HelsinkiACS@state.gov
Click here to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Finland.
No air travel is possible.
Train traffic operated by Russian State Railways and Finnish State Railways VR runs twice a day to and from Russia. Only Russian and Finnish passport holders are allowed to travel by train between Finland and Russia. The Vainikkala border checkpoint is the only border crossing point for rail passenger traffic.
There are still some bus companies operating from St. Peterburg to Finland. There are no citizenship restrictions when travelling to Finland by bus. Here are the links to the bus companies:
o Ecolines
o Sovavto
The land border crossing points between Finland and Russia are operating normally:
o Niirala border crossing point is open for passenger traffic from 9:00−20:00 Finnish time.
o Nuijamaa and Vaalimaa border crossing points are open for passenger traffic from 7:00−21:30 Finnish time.
o Imatra border crossing point is closed for passenger traffic.
o Raja-Jooseppi and Salla border crossing points are open for passenger traffic Monday−Friday 8:00−18:00 and Saturday−Sunday 9:00−17:00 Finnish time.
o Vartius border crossing point is open for passenger traffic from 8:00−19:00 Finnish time.
Travelers may not cross the land border on foot.
U.S. Citizens with expired passports may transit Finland en route the United States, but must contact the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki at HelsinkiACS@state.gov in advance and provide the traveler’s name, arrival time, vehicle information, and U.S. airline ticket information.
Passengers transiting Finland, may cross the border outside regular opening hours in order to make connecting flights/ferries. Passengers must show proof of onward travel and meet all entry requirements. You can find the requirements (including COVID-19) for entry from the Finnish Border Guards website.
Georgia
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, call +(995 32) 227-70-00, or email the American Citizens Services unit at askconsultbilisi@state.gov.
Click here to see all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Georgia.
The Georgian land border with Russia near Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) is open to U.S. citizens 24/7. The limited hours posted on the website do not apply to private travelers.
Kazakhstan
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, call +7 (7172) 70-21-00, or email the American Citizens Services unit at Contact Consul.
Click here to see all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Kazakhstan.
While arrival via airports is unrestricted and visa free for up to 30 days, overland entry is only permitted for diplomats, immediate family members of Kazakhstani citizens, residence permit holders, and some employees of designated companies in critical industries. Approval for each overland entry is required by Kazakhstan’s Interdepartmental Commission (IDC).
Regardless of vaccination status, entry either by land or air into Kazakhstan requires a PCR test with results dated no more than three days prior to entry to Kazakhstan. If travelers are unable to provide negative PCR test results, they will be denied entry. Children under five are exempted from this requirement.
U.S. Citizens with expired passports will not be admitted to Kazakhstan, including for transit.
Latvia
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Latvia, call +371 6710 7000, or email askconsular-riga@state.gov.
Click here to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Latvia.
The Russia-Latvia border remains open, and there is direct bus service from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Riga via the Ecolines buses, which depart daily until Tuesday, March 8, and then twice per week. Latvia permits U.S. Citizens to cross into Latvia from Belarus through the land border up through Daugavpils.
Beginning March 1, 2022, one of the following documents must be presented to enter Latvia: the interoperable EU COVID certificate on vaccination or recovery (in a smart device, or in paper format) or a negative COVID-19 test result (for an RNA test taken within the past 72 hours, or for an antigen test taken within the past 48 hours)
Lithuania
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania, call +370 5 266 5600, or email VilniusACs@state.gov
Click here to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Lithuania.
There are currently no restrictions on individuals (who are in possession of required visas/entry docs, etc.) entering Lithuania from Kaliningrad.
Mongolia
To reach the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, call +976-7007-6001, or email the American Citizens Services unit at UlaanbaatarACS@state.gov.
Click here to see all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Mongolia.
There are no reports of any border/Point of Entry closures.
The Mongolian government requires those entering to be in possession a passport with at least six months’ validity.
