Entry Requirements for Sochi
You can visit Sochi with the Russian e-visa. The electronic travel permit is valid across the territory of the Russian Federation.
The e-visa simplifies travel to Sochi, a popular beach destination on the Black Sea. Tourists can apply for a visa online and enter through Sochi border crossings.
Find out more about the entry requirements for Sochi and how to apply for a visa on this page.
Do I Need an e-visa to Travel to Sochi?
Most foreigners need a visa to enter Russia and visit Sochi. There are a few exceptions — for example, holders of diplomatic or service passports from countries that signed bilateral agreements with Russia.
Cruise and ferry line passengers can enter Sochi visa-free for up to 72 hours. Special limitations are in place — such as being able to disembark to take part in organized tours only.
Check the visa requirements for Russia to find out if you need a visa for Sochi.
What Visa Do I Need to Visit Sochi?
The visa you need for Sochi depends on your nationality and reason for visiting. If you’re going to Sochi for a short vacation you can apply for a Russian e-visa for your trip.
The e-visa for Russia is for tourism, business, and humanitarian travel. You can stay in Sochi, or other parts of Russia, for up to 16 days. Your days of arrival and departure are included in this 16-day limit.
To travel to Sochi for longer than 16 days, or for reasons such as work or study, contact your nearest Russian diplomatic mission for visa information.
Nationalities that can travel to Sochi with an electronic visa
Fortunately, citizens of around 60 countries (including EU member states) can apply for a visa for Sochi online.
e-visa Requirements to Visit Sochi
The eVisa requirements for Sochi are as follows:
- Machine-readable passport issued by en eligible country. Valid for 6 months
- Recent, passport-style photograph of the application
- Debit or credit card to pay the visa fees online
- Email address to receive the approved visa and communications
You can start your e-visa application for Sochi today and upload your documents at a later stage if you do not have them to hand.
How long does it take to get a Russian visa for Sochi?
The Russia e-visa application process is fast and efficient. Fill out the online form, pay the visa fees, and upload your documentation.
You do not need to make an appointment at the embassy when applying for a visa online.
Most travelers receive the approved e-visa in 4 days, but it can take up to 7. Apply for a visa as soon as you know your travel plans.
For how long can I stay in Sochi with an eVisa?
The Russian e-visa is valid for 60 days from the moment it is issued. Once it is used to cross the border, it allows a maximum stay of 16 days in Sochi and the rest of Russia.
The e-visa is single-entry. You need a new visa each time you travel to Russia.
Sochi Entry Points With an e-visa
Thanks to its privileged position, Sochi can be reached by plane, train, boat, and car.
- Sochi International Airport, located in the Adler district, was completely rebuilt in preparation for the 2014 Olympics. Peak flight season coincides with summer, between May and September.
- Sochi’s main railway stations serve regular domestic and international routes.
- Buses from other Russian cities and abroad arrive at the main bus terminal in Central Sochi.
- There are regular ferries from Turkey and Georgia arriving during the summer and Sochi seaport is a popular international cruise destination.
The Russian e-visa is valid at Sochi border crossings. You can also use the visa at checkpoints in other major Russian destinations such as Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Vladivostok.
Russian Cities to Visit Near Sochi
Russia is the largest country in the world so distances may be much greater than what foreign visitors are used to.
Here is a list of relatively close Russian destinations that can be reached from Sochi:
- Golden Ring
- Irkutsk
- St Petersburg
- Kazan
- Nizhny Novgorod
- Moscow
- Kaliningrad
- Veliky Novgorod
- Vladivostok
- Yekaterinburg
List of Embassies in Sochi
Most foreign embassies and consulates in Russia are located in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The following consulates can be found in Sochi:
Armenian consulate 86 A, Kurortny Street, Sochi Telephone: (+7) (8622) 671 642 Email: incom@armem.ru
Croatian consulate Ulica Pigorova 10 zgrada 12, 354008 Sochi Telephone: (+7) 862 253 52 73 Email: arkanov.cro@gmail.com
Russians can count on over 250 Russian diplomatic missions abroad.