Русский
Professional drivers from CIS countries and Georgia carrying out international road transport have had their maximum possible stay in Russia doubled—from 90 to 180 days within a year. The corresponding decree was published on the Official Internet Portal of Legal Information, and enters into force from 30 June 2026. To exercise their right to an extended stay in Russia, foreign drivers will need to attach additional documents when applying for entry into Russia, including a copy of their driving licence, the registration certificate of the vehicle used for the transport, and the international consignment note, while passenger carriers will need a regular transport route card or a list of passengers.
As a result, for professional drivers performing freight and passenger transportation through Russian territory, the maximum possible stay in the country was limited to 90 calendar days within a year, taking into account all entries and exits. This applies to drivers from countries with which Russia has a visa-free regime. These are the CIS countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Georgia.
In the new conditions, transport companies from these countries need to monitor the total stay of their drivers in Russia very carefully, while a significant part of their transport, including transit, is carried out precisely through Russia. Professional drivers will need to confirm that they are entering Russia specifically for the purpose of performing an international transport.
To do this, when applying for entry (and since 30 June last year, foreign citizens entering Russia on a visa-free basis must send a corresponding application via the Gosuslugi RuID app 72 hours before crossing the border), professional drivers must also attach additional documents:
- A copy of a foreign national driving licence or an international driving licence for the right to drive a bus or a truck (categories M2, M3, N2, N3, O3, or O4);
- A copy of the registration certificate for the vehicle used for the transport;
- A copy of the international consignment note—for truck drivers; and for bus drivers—a regular transport route card or a passenger list.
