ruID for travel to Russia: the application and QR code

Information checked on 1 October 2026. The QR-code guidance and the experiment’s end date have been updated. The original Russian article was published on 29 June 2025.

ruID is the Gosuslugi app for foreign nationals. Under the experiment introduced in 2025, it allows travellers to submit information about a visa-free trip to Russia in advance and create a digital profile.

Do you need a QR code before entry?

Do not treat a QR code as a mandatory document to obtain before boarding or crossing the border. The explanations published by Rosaviatsiya state that the app generates the code after entry. It can then be presented in Russia together with an identity document.

The same guidance says that not having a pre-submitted application or QR code is not, by itself, grounds for an entry ban. Passport checks, visa requirements where applicable and other entry conditions still apply. The app does not guarantee admission to the country.

How to prepare an application

1. Install the official ruID app from an available app store.
2. Create an account or sign in to an existing one. Enter the details of the document you will travel with.
3. Complete the trip information: dates, purpose of entry and regions to be visited. Follow the app’s instructions for simplified biometric registration.
4. Check the information before submitting it and monitor the result in your account.

When should you apply?

The official instructions set out a usual submission time of 72 hours before entry. For urgent travel involving emergency treatment, a close relative’s serious illness or death, the stated period is 4 hours.

Prepare your documents in advance. If you encounter technical problems, consult the Gosuslugi instructions and official explanations.

What should you check before and after entry?

The conditions depend on nationality, documents and the purpose of the trip. Travellers who need a visa must obtain one; ruID does not replace it. Exceptions apply to certain categories, so check the current rules for your circumstances.

After entry, check the separate requirements for migration registration, work, study and access to services. This article does not set a universal deadline for all passengers to visit a bank or a public services centre.

When does the experiment end?

Russian Government Resolution No. 468 of 27 April 2026 extended the experiment until 31 December 2027. The amendments took effect on 30 June 2026.

Check the official sources below before each trip, as requirements may change.