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For the Participants

Venue Venue map Entry to Russia for foreign participants COVID-19 / PCR testing Arriving in Sochi Hotels Renting a car Accreditation of personal vehicle Shuttle buses Handbook Additional information

Venue

The Eurasian Congress ‘23 will be held at the Sirius Park of Science and Art.

Address: Sirius Federal Territory, 1, Olimpiysky Prospekt.

About Sirius Science and Art Park

During the 2014 Winter Olympics, the Science and Art Park housed the Main Sports Games Media Centre. In 2019, the Sirius University of Science and Technology was established based on instructions from Russian President Vladimir Putin and opened inside the park. The Park is home to the university’s research laboratories and resident companies of the scientific and technological centre.



How do I access the Congress venue?

The Eurasian Congress venue may only be accessed if you have an accreditation badge.

Badges for venue access are activated according to the results of a PCR test at one of the approved testing centres – Rospotrebnadzor laboratories, specially equipped as part of the Eurasian Congress.

Please note that PCR testing is a prerequisite for badge activation rather than badge collection. You can collect your accreditation badge first, then take the PCR test, or vice versa. Access to the Congress venue is only possible with an activated badge.

What items are prohibited at the Congress venue?

In order to avoid any inconvenience when accessing the venue, participants are advised to leave any items prohibited at the Eurasian Congress venue at their accommodation or in their vehicle.

A full list of prohibited items

What is the accreditation badge?

The badge specifies the holder’s name and surname in English, their organization, level of access, and photograph. It also includes the Congress logo.

Participants must have their badges and identity documents with them at all times, while at the Eurasian Congress venue.

The badge is personalized and may not be transferred to third parties.

If your accreditation badge is lost or damaged, please go to the Help Desk or any accreditation stand. The lost badge will be blocked and a replacement badge will be issued at the written request of the badge holder.
What should I check before collecting my badge?

Before obtaining a badge, please make sure that the following conditions have been observed

The badge is ready to be issued if:


If there have been any changes to a participant’s ID since the application was completed, their personal data needs to be updated in their personal web office accordingly. If changes need to be made to fields that cannot be edited, a participant should inform their personal manager.


Submit a scanned copy of your passport
To get your badge prepared, you must upload a scanned copy of your passport (pages containing photo and ID info) in the personal web office.
Please ensure that scans are legible and contain all the information entered during registration, including passport number and serial number (if applicable), passport issuing authority, date of issue, and photograph.

Photos must meet the following requirements:
  • colour photograph against a light background;
  • size: 480x640 pixels;
  • jpg or jpeg format;
  • portrait photo without any headgear;
  • face must take up at least 70% of the image.
How to find out if your badge is ready?

There are several ways to find out or be notified when a participant badge is ready:

  • check if there is an email notification;
  • check if there is a notification in the participant’s personal web office;
  • call the Congress information centre: +7 (495) 777 1006;
  • call the specialist* you are in touch with regarding your participation in the Congress.

* The contact information can be found in the personal web office.

How to collect your badge?

Participant accreditation badges may be collected in person upon presenting:

  • the identity document that is listed in the personal web office;
  • the original copy of personal data consent form.

Personal data consent form 

Before issuing a badge, a member of staff at the accreditation point will check that the information in the application form matches that on the ID document provided. In the event of any discrepancies, it will not be possible to issue a badge the same day.

How to collect a badge by an authorized third party?

If the badge is being collected by an authorized representative, they must present the following:

  • the authorized person’s passport;
  • an original standard power of attorney;
  • a list of participants and copies of participants’ passports (attached to the power of attorney);
  • original copies of personal data consent forms.

Before issuing a badge, a member of staff at the accreditation point will check that the information in the application form matches that on the ID document. In the event of any discrepancies, it will not be possible to issue a badge the same day

Power of attorney form on behalf of legal entity:

Personal data consent form:

Badge activation

Badges for venue access are activated according to the results of a PCR test at one of the approved testing centres – Rospotrebnadzor laboratories, specially equipped as part of the Eurasian Congress. Laboratory research for badge activation takes no more than 24 hours.

PCR testing is carried out upon presentation of an accreditation badge or ID. The ID is the participant’s identification number in the personal web office. The ID is indicated next to the participant photo.

If a test is not associated with a participant ID it will not be possible to send the test results to the Accreditation Centre in order to activate the badge for attendance at the event.

Please note that PCR testing is a prerequisite for badge activation rather than badge collection. You can collect your accreditation badge first, then take the PCR test, or vice versa.

Where to collect your badge?

We kindly ask that you collect your accreditation badge in advance at the accreditation point.

Point

Date

Time

Accreditation Centre 1 (Main grandstand Sochi Autodrom, Triumfalnaya st., 26, Sirius federal territory)

1–4 June

5 June

6 June

7–8 June

9 June

10:00–19:00

09:00–21:00

07:30–23:59

00:00–23:59

07:30–17:00

For additional information, please contact the Eurasian Congress information centre:

Tel.: +7 (495) 777 1006

Email: reg.ec@roscongress.org


Venue map

Sirius.png Sirius.png
Download

Entry to Russia for foreign participants

Visas

Nationals of EAEU countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and the Kyrgyz Republic) do not need a visa to enter Russia. Nationals of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan may enter Russia using their internal passports or IDs.

Nationals of the observer countries (Moldova, Cuba, and Uzbekistan) do not need to have Russian visas either.

The conditions of entry to Russia for nationals of all countries as well as the contact details of Russia’s consular missions abroad are available on the website of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. For additional information, please contact the embassy or consulate of the Russian Federation in your country.

Participants are advised to apply for visas at least 2 (two) weeks prior to their travel.

Applying for a visa through an intermediary is not recommended

Documents required at the border

If you require a visa to enter the Russian FederationЕсли вам

 

If you do not require a visa to enter the Russian Federation

  • invitation for foreign arrivals

! Please note that this is not an invitation to the event, but a separate document from the Congress organizers.

  • valid foreign passport and visa

  • medical insurance policy that is valid in Russia
  

  • valid foreign passport
  • medical insurance policy that is valid in Russia

 

!

Participants are not required to present a PCR test result for entry to Russia or undergo self-isolation after arrival in Sochi
Visa validity periods

After submitting all the required documents, participants can obtain a short-term, single-entry Russian visa for the period from 30 May to 18 June at foreign consular offices of the Russian Federation on the day of their application.

Applying for a visa

Visa = invitation for foreign arrivals + list of documents

 

1 Сформируйте приглашение для въезжающих из иностранных государств

An invitation for foreign arrivals is not an invitation to the event, but a separate document from the Congress organizers.

  1. All confirmed participants will receive an information letter with login and password for their personal web office on the Congress website by email.
  2. After receiving the letter, please log in to your personal web office.
  3. Confirm your attendance at the Congress.
  4. Go to the ‘Visa support’ tab.
  5. Your personal information will be automatically uploaded from the personal web office to the document. You can manually add the city and country where you will be applying for your visa.
  6. Download and print the invitation for foreign arrivals.
  7. Provide your Russian consular office with the invitation for foreign arrivals and the other required visa documents.

If you have found any errors in your personal data in the application for participation, you can contact a specialist you are in touch regarding the participation in the event to make changes to the personal data.

 

2 Submit an application at a consular office

To receive a visa for entry into Russia, individuals in possession of an invitation must apply at the relevant foreign consular office of the Russian Federation. Information about the location of Russian consular offices can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

We recommend that participants apply at their Russian consular office in good time, and at least 2 (two) weeks before their departure.

Participants are advised not to apply for entry visas at intermediary visa centres or travel agencies, which are not authorized to issue official visas.

List of documents

Please make sure to bring the following documents with you when attending your consular office:

  • a printed invitation for foreign arrivals;
  • a valid travel document recognized by the Russian Federation (an ordinary, official or diplomatic passport or a United Nations laissez-passer). The passport must have at least two blank pages and be valid for at least six months after the requested visa expiration date;
  • a completed and printed visa application form. The form must be filled out in advance on the visa website of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation at visa.kdmid.ru. When completing the form, members of official delegations, business representatives and persons accompanying them should select ‘official visit’ as the purpose of their trip, while journalists should select ‘press/correspondent’ or ‘press/technical’;
  • one 35 x 45 mm photo (colour or black and white) with a clear front view of the participant’s face, without tinted glasses or headgear (with the exception of foreign citizens who are required to wear headgear with respect to their nationality or religion, and provided that they are wearing headgear in their passport photo). The photograph must have been taken no earlier than six months before the date of application;
  • a medical insurance policy that is valid in Russia.
PCR tests

Participants do not need to submit PCR test results to enter Russia, or to observe quarantine after arrival in Sochi.

They will only need to fill in a visitor’s questionnaire. Nationals of EAEU countries (Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Kazakhstan) arriving by land do not need to fill in the questionnaire.

Depending on the health situation in the country of departure, some or all visitors from that country may be tested upon arrival.

COVID-19 / PCR testing

How to pass a test?

01.

Provide information about COVID-19 immunity in the personal web office

02.

Find your ID in the personal web office and keep it in mind

03.

Sign up for PCR testing in the personal web office

04.

Take a PCR test

When to get tested?

All Eurasian Congress participants, media representatives and staff who will be present at events must take a PCR test for COVID-19.

Testing for access to the Congress

  • One PCR test to access the Congress venue must be taken no earlier than 07:00 on 5 June (GMT+3) and no later than 24 hours before visiting the Congress venue. The result of this test is enough to attend all the events of the Congress, except for the plenary session.
  • Guests staying at the Omega Sirius will take the test from 08:00 on 4 June. If you do not receive and activate your badge by 07:00 on 5 June, you will not be admitted to the hotel. The result of this test is enough to attend all the events of the Congress, except for the plenary session.
  • A single test is sufficient for attendance at all Congress events, except the plenary session. Plenary session attendees must take the PCR test on from 07:00 7 June (GMT+3).
  • The badge is activated automatically by a negative test result. The test result is valid for visiting the venue until the end of the Congress.
  • Results will be provided within 24 hours.
  • PCR testing at dedicated Congress testing centres is strictly by appointment only.
  • If a participant arrives at the venue by personal accredited car with a driver, then the driver must also take PCR test. The participant needs to register the driver for testing in their personal web office.
Where to get tested?

Testing will be carried out at dedicated Congress testing centres, which are provided by Rospotrebnadzor in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sirius Federal Territory or Sochi.

The results will be uploaded to the Congress information system automatically. The results of tests taken at other laboratories will NOT be uploaded for accreditation at the venue.

You don't have to pay for a PCR test.

Testing centre*

Operating hours*

Booking

Participants, media

MOSCOW

World Trade Center Moscow (12, Krasnopresnenskaya Naberezhnaya, entrance No. 3, 1st floor)

4–8 June

(09:00–20:00)

By appointment

ST. PETERSBURG

Centre for Hygiene and Epidemiology (11, Mokhovaya Ulitsa)

4–8 June

(09:00–20:00)

By appointment

SOCHI

Administration of Sochi (26, Sovetskaya Ulitsa)

6–8 June

(09:00–18:00)

By appointment

Pullman Sochi Centre (11A, Ulitsa Ordzhonikidze)

6–8 June

(07:00–23:00)

By appointment

Swissotel Resort Sochi Kamelia (89, Kurortny Prospekt)

7 June

(07:00–23:00)

8 June

(07:00–11:00)

By appointment

SIRIUS FEDERAL TERRITORY

Pulsar Hotel (13, Triumfalny Proezd)

4–5 June

(08:00–22:00)

By appointment

Sochi International Airport (50, Ulitsa Mira)

6–8 June

(07:00–23:00)

By appointment

Sochi International Airport. VIP Terminal (50, Ulitsa Mira)

Bogatyr Hotel (21, Olimpiysky Prospekt)

Barkhatnye Sezony (Sportivny Kvartal) (29, Figurnaya Ulitsa)

Barkhatnye Sezony (Yekaterinisky Kvartal) (42, Bulvar Nadezhd)

Radisson Blu Resort & Congress Centre (1A, Golubaya Ulitsa)

Gamma Sirius (8, Voskresenskaya Ulitsa)

Sirius Park of Science and Art, 1st floor, first aid point** (1, Olimpiysky Prospekt, Sirius Federal Territory)

** for plenary session attendees

7–8 June

(08:00–20:00)

By appointment

* The list of approved centres and opening hours is subject to change. Please check for updates

Documents required for testing

1.     Information about your immunity to COVID-19

In order to be admitted for PCR testing, all Congress participants and media representatives must provide information about their immunity to COVID-19 in th personal web office.

2.     Congress participant ID

ID

When taking a PCR test you must provide your participant ID. Before visiting a testing centre, please find out your Congress participant ID number (available in the personal web office).

OR

If you have already received your badge, please take it with you – you can find your ID number there.

Accreditation badges are only activated, rather than distributed, on the basis of PCR test results. It is possible to take a test after receiving an accreditation badge or vice versa.

If a test is not associated with a participant ID, it will not be possible to send the test results to the Accreditation Centre in order to activate the badge to attend the event.

3.     Medical treatment consent form

  • For participants planning to take a PCR test in Moscow, you must print, fill out and sign a medical treatment consent form before visiting the testing centre and bring it with you.

Download medical treatment consent form.

PCR testing at dedicated Congress testing centres is strictly by appointment in the personal web office only. Please arrive at the time of your booking.

Information about covid-19 immunity

In order to be admitted for PCR testing, all Congress participants and media representatives must provide information about their immunity to COVID-19 in the personal web office.

  1. Information about COVID-19 vaccination status (if vaccinated, you must upload a scanned copy of a document confirming vaccination. If you have been vaccinated with a non-Russian vaccine, you don't need to upload your certificate).
  2. Information about previous coronavirus infection (COVID-19) status (if previously infected, you must upload a scanned copy of a document confirming infection. If you have a medical certificate from another country confirming that you have recently had COVID-19 or have medical contraidications for vaccination, you don't need to upload your certificate).
  3. Information about the presence or absence of COVID-19 antibodies (where antibodies are present, please upload a scanned copy of a document confirming the presence of antibodies).
  4. Information about permanent residence and temporary address at Sirius Federal Territory during the Congress.

It is not required to take a PCR test before entering the Russian Federation.

Booking a test

PCR testing at dedicated Congress testing centres is strictly by appointment only. Please arrive at the time of your booking

  1. Please go to the ‘COVID-19’ section of the personal web office to book a test.
  2. Open the ‘Booking a test’ section.
  3. Choose the most convenient testing centre from the list and select a time slot

Off-site PCR testing

Should you have questions regarding off-site testing, please contact us using the information below.

Moscow, Sochi, Sirius Federal Territory, St. Petersburg

Tel.: +7 (910) 001 6656, +7 (985) 155 3999

Email: vip@fcgie.ru

Conclusion of contracts for laboratory research – daily from 09:00 to 20:00 (Moscow time). Off-site PCR testing is carried out on a payment basis.

Bookings for off-site tests cannot be made via the personal web office.

Test results

Badges for access to the venue are activated based on PCR test results. Lab results will be provided within 24 hours.

Before going to the Congrerss venue, please make sure that your test result is negative and your badge is activated.

There are several ways to find out this information:

  • A notification in the personal web office
  • Receive the test result at the email address indicated in the questionnaire with data on COVID-19 immunity

If you don't get the test result, you can find out information:

  • By calling the Congress information centre at +7 (495) 777 1006
  • By calling your personal manager
Preventive measures

Thermometric control

All participants and technical staff will have their temperature measured at the entrance to the Congress venue using non-contact body temperature measuring equipment. Participants and technical staff with a body temperature 37.1°C and above or signs of an infectious disease (acute respiratory infection) will not be allowed to enter the Congress venue.

Disinfection

It is advised to use the hand disinfection devices set up at the venue.

Entrances to the Congress venue, conference rooms, halls and other common areas are equipped with hand disinfection devices, including contactless dispensers.

Cleaning of surfaces with antiviral disinfectant

Surfaces at the Congress venue are cleaned with antiviral disinfectant.

Air sanitizing

Air sanitizing ultraviolet bactericidal equipment has been installed in conference halls.

Medical assistance

Medical care at the venue

There are first aid points in the press centre and near the Chekhov Hall. Ambulance teams will be on duty in the immediate vicinity of the Congress venue for the entire duration of the Congress.

Documents

In order to receive timely medical assistance if you have confirmed novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) symptoms, please make sure to have an identification document (passport), migration card and a compulsory health insurance certificate (valid in the Russian Federation) with you at all times.

Detection of COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19, you must inform the organizers of your current location within 24 hours so that the information can be sent to Rospotrebnadzor.

Please note that entry to the Congress will be automatically blocked. You must self-isolate in your accommodation facility for the duration of the Congress.

Hospitalization

Any individuals on site who have a fever or show any other signs of infectious disease will be taken to an infectious disease hospital by special transportation.


Arriving in Sochi

Sochi is one of Russia’s largest resort cities, with a well-developed transport infrastructure, including an international airport, two railway stations, a commercial and passenger port, and many motorways.

Arrivals by plane

Airport.png

Sochi International Airport, also known as Adler Airport (AER), is the Krasnodar Region’s largest airport on the Black Sea coast.

The airport is located in close proximity to the Sirius Federal Territory. The approximate journey time from Sochi International Airport to the Congress venue (Sirius Park of Science and Art) is 15–20 minutes. The venue will be accessible by rented car or free shuttle service.

Airlines currently operate direct flights to Sochi from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, UAE, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and large Russian cities. Up-to-date information is available on the Sochi airport website on the Seasonal Schedule page and at airline offices and websites.

Address: Airport, Sochi, Krasnodar Region, Russia, 354340

24-hour help desk

Tel.: +7 (800) 301 1991

Fax: +7 (862) 240 0032

Email: aeroinfo@aer.aero

Website: aer.aero

VIP terminal

The Sochi VIP terminal is in a separate building to the left of the main terminal. The VIP terminal handles all types of pre-flight procedures, including check-ins and security checks.

VIP services and fees are listed on the airport’s website.

To request VIP services, please contact:

Tel.: +7 (862) 240 0075

Email: special_services@aer.aero

Business lounge

The business and premium lounges are located on the terminal’s second floor in Sector B. Detailed information is available on the airport’s website.

Tel.: +7 (862) 240 0075

special_services@aer.basel.aero

Medical assistance

The 24-hour health centre is on the second floor in Sector B.

Tel.: +7 (862) 249 7703, +7 (862) 249 7503

Services for passengers with reduced mobility

Passengers with disabilities are assisted inside the terminal and while boarding and disembarking from the aircraft. Please check the airport’s website for additional information.

Arriving by train

Sochi railway station

Адрес: г. Сочи, ул. Горького, д. 56

Website: sochi.dzvr.ru

The average journey time from the Sochi railway station to the Congress venue is 50 minutes.

Adler railway station

Address: 113 Lenin St., Sochi

Website: adler.dzvr.ru

The approximate journey time from the Adler railway station to the Congress venue is 15–20 minutes.

Russian Railways help desk

Tel.: +8 (800) 775 0000

Website: rzd.ru

Hotels

Participants in the Eurasian Congress can take advantage of special rates for hotel bookings in Sochi and the Sirius Federal Territory.

The list of hotels and booking conditions as well as a reservation form are available on RC Service’s website.

List of hotels

To ensure comfortable accommodation during your stay, we recommend booking in advance.

CONTACT DETAILS

Tel.: +7 (495) 369 2011 (доб. 3016)

Email: booking@roscongress.org

Website: rc-service.ru

Renting a car

Participants in Eurasian Congress ’23 may rent an accredited car.

The rent covers:

  • renting a car with a driver;
  • accreditation;
  • all fuel and auto-washing costs;
  • car disinfection and personal protective equipment in accordance with Rospotrebnadzor’s recommendations and standards
  • 24-hour help desk for consultations about the car and/or the driver.

For additional information on renting a car, please contact RK Service:

Tel.: +7 (495) 108 4848

Email: autobookingec@roscongress.org

Requests will be accepted until 1 June 2023 (inclusive).

Accreditation of personal vehicle

Congress participants may accredit a private vehicle to get to the pick-up/drop-off zone at checkpoint 6.1, which is within walking distance from Sirius Park of Science and Art.

You can learn more about the terms of accreditation of personal vehicle and drivers, as well as apply for accreditation in your personal web office.

Applications for the accreditation of private vehicles and drivers will be accepted until 8 June 2023.

Pick-up/drop-off zones and parking

Accredited vehicles can access:

  • The pick-up/drop-off zone at checkpoint 6.1 (the stopping time in the pick-up/drop-off zone must not exceed two minutes). The territory of Sirius Park of Science and Art can be accessed through checkpoint 6
  • The off-site parking area between Palmovaya Alleya and Ulitsa Chempionov
  • Parking areas at recommended hotels
  • The pick-up/drop-off zones and parking areas at the venues of the cultural programme events
How do I submit an application?

To submit an application, you must:

  1. Log in to your personal web office
  2. Open the ‘Accreditation of personal vehicle’ section
  3. Enter the brand, model, and registration number of the vehicle
  4. Enter personal data and upload a photo and a scanned copy of the driver’s passport*

* If you plan to drive the vehicle yourself, you do not need to enter the data of a new driver. Simply select your own name from the drop-down list.

How do I know that the pass is ready to be issued?

Before receiving a transport pass and driver badges, we recommend that you check in advance to make sure they are ready:

  • Check if the vehicle accreditation application is marked as ready
  • Check if the driver’s accreditation application is marked as ready
  • Call the Congress information centre.

Please observe the following rules:


  • The transport pass is personalized for each vehicle and is linked to its details (brand, model, and registration number) and the right to access the territory of Sirius Park of Science and Art

Transport passes and badges may not be transferred to third parties. If a transport pass or driver’s badge is transferred to a third party, the pass and badge will be confiscated and cancelled.

  • Transport passes must be placed on the vehicle’s windshield.
  • In areas with limited access, vehicles must be driven in accordance with traffic patterns and road signs.
  • Any violation of traffic rules shall result in the cancellation and confiscation of transport passes and driver’s badges.
  • In the event of a violation of Article 12.5 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences, the vehicle’s accreditation may be cancelled.
How can I pick up my transport pass and driver’s badge?

Transport passes and driver’s badges can be picked up in person at Accreditation Centre 1 by presenting an identity document (passport) or by proxy.

Where

Date

Time

Accreditation Centre 1 (Main grandstand Sochi Autodrom, Triumfalnaya st., 26, Sirius federal territory)

1–4 June

10:00–19:00

5–6 June

09:00–21:00

7–8 June

07:30–19:00

9 June

07:30–17:00

 

Proxies must present:

  • Their passport;
  • The original version of a power of attorney completed in the prescribed manner*;
  • The original version of the driver’s consent to the processing of personal data**.

* Power of attorney to obtain transport passes and accreditation badges for drivers  

Sample form showing how to complete a power of attorney to obtain transport passes and accreditation badges for drivers  

** Consent to the processing of personal data

Contact information

For more information, please contact the Congress information centre:

Tel.: +7 (495) 777 1006

Email: reg.ec@roscongress.org


Shuttle buses

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Download

Handbook

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Download

Additional information

About the Sirius Federal Territory

Russia’s first Sirius Federal Territory is located in the Imereti lowlands between the Mzymta and Psou Rivers and is surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains. The territory was created on 22 December 2020 using facilities from the 2014 Winter Olympics. The University of Science and Technology, the Innovative Scientific and Technological Centre, the Sirius Educational Centre, the Presidential Lyceum, as well as cultural and sports infrastructure are being developed on the territory.

Weather at the Sirius Federal Territory

The Sirius Federal Territory has a temperate and warm climate. The average temperature in early June is +23-25°С.

However, at night, the air temperature can drop to +15°C, so we recommend bringing warm clothes for walks in the evening.

Local time

The Sirius Federal Territory is in the UTC+3 time zone.

Electricity (types of sockets)

The voltage in Russia is 220 V (50-60 Hz). The common types of sockets are C and F. If you plan to bring electrical appliances that require a higher voltage or need a different socket type, we recommend that you bring an adaptor.

Mobile networks

Visitors may buy SIM cards from local mobile operators at phone shops. All operators provide mobile internet services.

Largest mobile operators:

As required by the laws of the Russian Federation, you will need to purchase the SIM card in person and provide a Russian or foreign passport.

Currency exchange

The official currency in Russia is the Russian rouble. Currency exchange is provided by banks and currency exchange offices located near the airport, railway stations, and hotels. You can also exchange currency in your country.

Russia’s largest banks:

Please note the following currency exchange restrictions:

  • To exchange more than RUB 40,000, you will need to provide your foreign passport.
  • You CANNOT  buy cash in Russian roubles with Mastercard or Visa cards issued outside Russia or withdraw cash in roubles from those cards.

Bank cards

Given the restricted use of foreign bank cards in Russia, we recommend having cash for the entire period of your stay in Russia.

Mir and UnionPay cards in any currency can be used in Russia without restrictions. If possible, participants are advised to obtain a card from any of these payment systems and have it while travelling in Russia.

Please note that UnionPay was launched in Russia recently and transactions with UnionPay cards may occasionally fail.

Health insurance

Foreign participants are advised to purchase health insurance for foreign nationals in advance or on the first day of their stay in Russia.

Insurance for foreign nationals is a popular service in Russia provided by many insurance companies..

Large insurance companies in Russia:

Types of insurance for foreign nationals:

  • health insurance;
  • accident insurance;
  • other types of insurance.

Emergency telephone numbers

Rescue service (mobile calls): 112.

Fire: 101 (mobile calls) or 01

Police: 102 (mobile calls) or 02

Ambulance: 103 (mobile calls) or 03