Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Russia, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. Persons violating Russian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Russia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. In Russia, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you or if you take pictures of certain buildings. In Russia, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. If you break local laws in Russia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

In addition to violating Russian law, you can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not. Russian authorities have failed to inform U.S. consular officials about the arrest/detention of dual Russian-American citizens, treating such persons solely as Russian citizens. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: In many countries around the world, including Russia, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. In Russia, CD and DVD piracy is an especially serious problem. Transactions involving such products are illegal under Russian law, and the Russian government has increased its enforcement activities against infringement of intellectual property rights. In addition, bringing counterfeit and pirated products back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. The Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Division in the U.S. Department of Justice has more information on this problem.

Teaching in Russia: Some U.S. citizens coming to Russia to teach English have complained about schools' failure to facilitate proper visas and pay agreed salaries. If you are a prospective teacher, ensure your employer is prepared to comply with Russian laws governing the employment and documentation of foreigners, including proper visa support, registration, and legal salary payments. Ask for references from other foreigners who have taught at the school and consider insisting upon written contracts stipulating the provisions of employment, just as you would in the United States. Warning signs include instructions to arrive in Russia on a tourist visa and "change status" later, payment under the table (in cash with no documentation or tax withholding), and requirements that the school retain a passport for the length of the employment. (Please note that upon arrival, a legal employee must surrender his or her passport for registration by the employer, but this process should take less than three weeks.)

Currency and Inflation: The Russian ruble is the only legal tender currency. It is illegal to pay for goods and services in U.S. dollars, except at specially authorized retail establishments. Banks and exchange offices often do not accept U.S. bills that are worn, ripped, or marked in any way. In mid-December 2014 there were periods of considerable volatility in the ruble/dollar exchange rate, with an overall significant depreciation of the ruble. As of January 2015, economic forecasters anticipated a potential rise in price inflation (in the range of 10-12 percent) for the whole of calendar year 2015, with a possible spike in inflation in the first half of 2015 to 12 percent or higher, although forecasts could be adjusted at any time. Travelers should monitor mainstream media for news of currency and price volatility and plan accordingly.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are plentiful in major cities. Travelers should follow all normal precautions when using ATMs. In particular, travelers should avoid "stand-alone" machines and opt to use machines at banks or higher-class hotels and stores. Credit cards are not universally accepted, and travelers should check in advance to see if a specific store, restaurant, or hotel accepts credit cards. Even when businesses accept credit cards, sometimes the transaction is unable to be processed, so travelers must be prepared for such situations. Outside of major cities, commercial enterprises still operate largely on a cash basis and travelers should plan accordingly.

Customs Information: Passengers must personally escort their luggage through Russian customs. Rigorous searches of baggage and strict enforcement of customs regulations against the exportation of items of "cultural value" can occur. Russian authorities have arrested U.S. citizens for attempting to leave the country with antique items they believed were legally purchased from licensed vendors. Travelers should obtain receipts for all high-value items (including caviar) purchased in Russia. Any article that could appear old or as having cultural value to the Customs Service, including artwork, icons, samovars, rugs, military medals and antiques, must have a certificate indicating they have no historical or cultural value. Certificates may not be granted for certain articles due to their cultural value or antiquity. Visitors may obtain certificates from the Russian Ministry of Culture. For further information, please contact the Russian Customs Committee.

The importation of Global Positioning System (GPS) and other radio electronic devices, and their use, are sometimes subject to special rules and regulations in Russia. The Russian Customs Service has stated visitors may import terminal GPS devices upon their simple declaration on arrival. However, you should obtain a special customs permit in the case of importation of a GPS device to be used as a peripheral device to a separate computer and/or antenna to increase its capability.

In general, mapping and natural resource data collection activities associated with normal commercial and scientific collaboration may result in seizure of the associated equipment and/or arrest. The penalty for using a GPS device in a manner that is determined to compromise Russian national security can result in a prison term of ten to twenty years.

Visitors may bring regular cellular telephones to Russia without restriction. Satellite telephones require advance approval from the Russian authorities. The Russian agency responsible for telecommunications issues and the approval of satellite phone import is Roskomnadzor.

There are also no restrictions on bringing laptop computers into the country for personal use. However, officials may inspect the software upon departure. Hardware and software found to contain sensitive or encrypted data may be subject to confiscation.

Travelers entering Russia with $10,000 or more in cash must declare it at Customs upon arrival and may have to explain the money's origin and intended use. Travelers exiting Russia must declare the amount of cash and travelers checks exceeding $10,000 and list the source(s) of the funds on a customs declaration form.

Prescription Medication: Russia has very strict rules on the importation of medication. Russia prohibits certain prescription and over-the-counter drugs common in the United States. Large quantities of any medicine will receive scrutiny.

We recommend all U.S. citizens carry a copy of their valid U.S. prescription(s) when entering Russia with prescription medication(s). Russian authorities have arrested and detained U.S. citizens in Russia because they were not able to prove they lawfully obtained their prescription medication in the United States.

If a traveler is in doubt regarding the importation into Russia of a particular item, he or she should address specific questions to the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation via their website or email.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: Discrimination based on sexual orientation is widespread in Russia. Harassment, threats, and acts of violence targeting LGBT individuals have occurred. Government officials have been known to make derogatory comments about LGBT persons.

In June 2013, the State Duma passed a law banning "the propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" to minors. Russian citizens found guilty of violating the law could face a fine of up to 100,000 rubles. Foreign citizens face similar fines, up to 15 days in jail, and deportation. The law is vague as to what Russia considers propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations. As a result, commentators have suggested the law makes it a crime to promote LGBT equality in public. Violence against the LGBT community has increased sharply since the law was passed, including entrapment and torture of young gay men by neo-Nazi gangs and the murder of multiple individuals due to their sexual orientation. Many view this legislation as encouraging such violence, with the majority of attacks against members of the LGBT community going unreported.

In January 2015, a regulation passed that has the potential to prohibit the issuance of driver’s licenses to transgender and transsexual people in Russia. The regulation imposes limitations on the driving rights of people with a broad range of medical conditions, among them " personality and behavior disorders" which, according to the law, include gender identity. It is as yet unclear what the penalties for violating this regulation will be and how it will be enforced. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Russia you may review the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Russia you may review the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: Individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation in Russia very different from the United States. While Russian law requires most new public buildings and others with community space (e.g., shopping centers) be accessible for persons with disabilities, many older buildings are not required to meet these requirements.

Getting around in Russian cities and towns may be difficult at times since many sidewalks are narrow and uneven. Mobility is usually easier in cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, compared to smaller towns and rural areas. In general, public transportation is not accommodating to people with disabilities; this includes the Moscow Metro, which is generally not accessible to persons with disabilities. Additionally, it can be difficult to cross streets in large cities, since it usually requires the use of a pedestrian underpass which includes stairs, steep ramps, and no elevators.