Period of stay, visa extension, and obligation to leave

This page is for Turkish citizens who are in Russia with a visa and are wondering how long they can stay, whether they can extend their visa, or what they should do when it expires. Your period of stay in Russia depends on your visa; as a rule, a visa cannot be changed to another type inside the country. Below you will find the 90/180 rule, the cases in which a visa can be extended, the 2026 fees, and how many days you have to leave the country in each situation.

• The period a foreigner who enters with a visa may stay in Russia is limited by the visa's validity period.
• With a multiple-entry visa, the total stay may not exceed 90 days in each 180-day period. The number of entries stated on the visa does not change this limit.
• According to the Embassy of Russia in Ankara, holders of work and study visas are not subject to this limit; their stay is determined by the duration of their contract or studies.
• E-visa (единая электронная виза): Since August 23, 2025, it has been valid for 120 days from the date of issue and grants the right to stay for a maximum of 30 days from entry. Departure may not be later than the 120th day from the issuance of the e-visa (see R1.2).
• For the visa-free stay periods of holders of special, service, and diplomatic passports, see R1.1.

• Extension is the exception, not the rule. When a visa is extended, its type, number of entries, and purpose of travel remain the same. You cannot change a tourist or business visa into a work visa while in Russia.
• The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and its regional offices may extend a visa in the following cases:
  • if deemed necessary and documented, for a maximum of 10 days, provided that your total stay does not exceed the 90/180 limit
  • if you cannot leave the country because of emergency treatment, serious illness, or the death of a close relative living in Russia: for the required period, upon presentation of documents
  • if you cannot leave because of force majeure or a natural disaster
  • if you cannot return because of quarantine measures in your country of citizenship: for a maximum of 90 days, with the possibility of further extension
  • if your application for temporary residence (РВП) or a residence permit (ВНЖ) has been accepted: until the application is reviewed
• A Russian Foreign Ministry representative in the border region or a border guard at the border crossing may extend the visa for a maximum of 3 days so that you can leave the country.
• The extension is carried out at the Ministry of Internal Affairs office where your migration registration is located or where you are actually staying, or at the border crossing.
• The decision is made upon your written application and the written request of the person or institution inviting you. For an extension due to an application for РВП or ВНЖ, only your application is sufficient.

• Work visa: extended for the duration of the employment contract, for a maximum of 1 year.
• Highly qualified specialist (ВКС) work visa: issued for the duration of the contract, for a maximum of 3 years, and may be extended for the same period (see R3.2).
• Study visa: extended for the duration of the studies, for a maximum of 1 year. Your school must apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for an extension no later than 20 days before your period of stay expires.
• According to Gosuslugi, an extension application must be submitted at least 20 working days before the visa expires.
• Extension and reissuance of work and study visas can also be carried out through Gosuslugi.
• Starting February 1, 2027, applications related to extending the period of stay may be submitted in person to a Ministry of Internal Affairs office, through Gosuslugi, or through an organization authorized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

• Issuance or extension of a visa in Russia:
  • visa for departure from Russia: 2,000 rubles
  • visa for departure and re-entry: 2,000 rubles
  • multiple-entry visa: 6,000 rubles
• Issuance, extension, or reissuance of a visa at a Foreign Ministry representative office at a border crossing: the amount set by the Government, a maximum of 9,000 rubles per visa
• Cases exempt from the fee: extension due to emergency treatment, serious illness, or the death of a close relative; people arriving for charity or humanitarian aid; extension due to quarantine.
• According to the Embassy of Russia, the consular visa fee is not refunded to a person whose application is rejected.

• If your old passport contains a valid Russian visa and you will travel with a new passport, have the visa transferred to the new passport at a Russian representative office before departure. Otherwise, you will not be able to cross the border.
• If you obtained a new passport while in Russia and the old one was canceled, the visa may be reissued in the new passport (восстановление визы) upon your written application.
• If the visa is lost or damaged beyond use, it will be reissued after its issuance has been verified. You or the person or institution that invited you may submit the application.
• The validity period of a reissued visa does not change.
• You can renew your Turkish passport at the Turkish diplomatic missions in Russia (see O1.2).

• You must leave Russia when your visa or period of stay expires. You do not have to leave before the expiry if one of the following has occurred:
  • your visa or period of stay has been extended
  • you have obtained a new visa
  • your application for РВП or ВНЖ has been accepted
  • the Ministry of Internal Affairs has accepted your employer's application to employ you as a highly qualified specialist (ВКС) or to extend your ВКС authorization
• If your period of stay is shortened: you must leave within 3 days.
• If your РВП or ВНЖ is canceled: within 15 days from notification of the cancellation.
• If your ВКС contract ends early: you have 30 working days to find a new employer. If you cannot find one, you must leave within 30 calendar days after this period ends (see R3.2).
• If an administrative expulsion decision is issued in the form of “controlled voluntary departure”: within 5 days after the decision becomes final (see R2.5).
• Starting January 1, 2027: if your work permit is not extended or is canceled, you will have to leave within 15 days unless you have another legal basis for staying.
• A foreigner who does not leave within these periods will be deported (депортация).
• When leaving, you must surrender your migration card at the border crossing.

1. Apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs before your visa expires. Bring documents such as a hospital report, death certificate, or flight cancellation notice.
2. Wait until a decision on the extension is issued; do not exceed the period by thinking, “I have applied anyway,” before the decision is made.
3. If the extension is not granted, leave the country on time. Once the period expires, you will no longer have a legal basis for staying and will be entered in the register of “persons under control” (see R2.4).
4. According to Gosuslugi, a foreigner whose visa has expired and who remains in the country may face a fine of 2,000–5,000 rubles, expulsion, and registration in the relevant records.

• Migration office of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs — visa extension and reissuance
  • Go to the office where your migration registration is located or where you are actually staying.
  • Appointments: the Gosuslugi “Ministry of Internal Affairs appointment” service (account login required).
• Gosuslugi — extension and reissuance of work and study visas, work visa for ВКС, transit visa
• For a visa not listed, apply in person to a Ministry of Internal Affairs office or a representative office of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
• Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Moscow — passport renewal, lost passports, emergencies
  • Address: 7 Rostovskiy pereulok 12, 115127 Moscow
  • Consular switchboard: +7 495 994 93 59 (telephone information on consular matters 14:30–18:00)
  • Duty phone: +7 906 770 11 90 (weekdays 18:00–09:00 and public holidays)
  • For the Consulates General in Kazan, Krasnodar, and St. Petersburg, see R2.5. Appointments are made through konsolosluk.gov.tr.

• Failing to calculate the 90/180 period for a multiple-entry visa and assuming, “My visa is valid for one year, so I can stay for one year.”
• Thinking that you can change a tourist or business visa into a work visa in Russia.
• Leaving the extension application until the last days of the visa. For work and study visas, the application must be submitted at least 20 working days in advance.
• Traveling after renewing your passport without transferring the visa from the old passport.
• Continuing to stay in the country even though the extension has been refused.
• Losing your migration card and not noticing it until departure.

• I have a one-year multiple-entry work visa. How long can I stay? A total of 90 days in each 180-day period. If you have used up this period, you must leave and wait until enough days become available again.
• I arrived with an e-visa; can I stay for more than 30 days? An e-visa grants the right to stay for a maximum of 30 days from entry. If you plan to stay longer, obtain a consular visa before coming (see R1.2 and R1.3).
• I became ill and cannot catch my flight. Before your visa expires, apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a hospital document. In this situation, the visa may be extended for the required period and no fee will be charged.
• I got married in Russia. Can I change my visa to a family visa? The visa type does not change upon extension. Examine the РВП or ВНЖ route for family reunification (see R4.1). If your РВП application is accepted, your visa may be extended during the review period.
• I exceeded my period of stay by one day. What will happen? Exceeding the period is a violation of the stay regime. It may result in a fine, expulsion, and registration in the relevant records. Consult a lawyer without delay.

• Gosuslugi – Visa questions for foreigners
• Gosuslugi – Application for visa issuance, extension, and reissuance (account login required)
• Gosuslugi – Ministry of Internal Affairs appointment (account login required)
• Government Resolution No. 335 – Visa Regulations, extension and cancellation section
• Federal Law 115-FZ, legal status of foreign nationals (full text)
• Russian Tax Code Art. 333.28: visa and migration fees
• Russian Foreign Ministry – e-visa frequently asked questions
• Turkish Foreign Ministry consular appointment system