Russia - Regulations on Entry, Stay and Residence for PLHIV


Restriction categories relative to Russia

  • Countries with entry bar
  • Countries with restrictions for short term stays (<90 days)
  • Countries with restrictions for long term stays (>90 days)
  • Countries deporting people with HIV

 
Entry regulations Residence regulations Additional information
No HIV testing is required for short-term tourist stays (up to three months). An HIV test is required for a multiple entry visa. A negative HIV test result is required for long-term stays (more than three months), for students and for foreign employees. Foreign residents found to be HIV positive are expelled.

Important: The entry bar, short-term stay restrictions and deportations apply to students, multiple entry and work visas only. New law with quarterly testing requirements introduced Dec 29, 2021.

HIV-specific entry and residence regulations for Russia

The AIDS test certificate stating that the foreigner is HIV-negative is required for applicants for work visas or study visas (single, double or multiple entry) on the basis of an invitation issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (MAI of Russia), insofar as these visas can be extended in Russia.

(Source: 1)

If you are planning to remain in Russia for more than three months, you must provide a medical certificate of a negative test for HIV. The certificate must be valid for three months from the date of testing and include:

  • Passport details (full name, date of birth, passport number and country of residence)
  • HIV test information (date of test, test results and signatures of the doctor who performed the test and the person examined)
  • The length of your intended stay in Russia.

Other tests (such as for tuberculosis and leprosy) may be required for individuals staying in Russia for more than three months.

(Source: 2)

Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Russia. Applicants for longer-term tourist and work visas or residence permits are required to undergo an HIV/AIDS test.

(Source: 3)

Under the law that takes effect Dec. 29, virtually all foreigners living in Russia will face quarterly X-rays and blood and urine tests for diseases including leprosy, tuberculosis, syphilis and HIV/AIDS. Examinations by drugs therapists, psychiatrists and infectious-diseases experts will be carried out in addition to new requirements to submit fingerprints and biometric photographs within 30 days of entry to Russia.

(Source: 4)

 

HIV treatment information for Russia

  • no source
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    HIV information / HIV NGOs in Russia

    https://life4me.plus/en/map/

    Updated information is also available through the aidsmap search engine at http://www.aidsmap.com/e-atlas

     

    Global Criminalisation of HIV Transmission Scan

    The Global Criminalisation Scan is an initiative of GNP+. It aims to collect and keep up to date information on national and state level laws criminalising the transmission of or exposure to HIV. It also aims to provide an easily accessible ‘clearing-house’ of resources, research, and initiatives on the subject and to provide a platform for advocacy initiatives.

    Find out more about the scan and the criminalisation of HIV transmission legislation at http://criminalisation.gnpplus.net/.

     

    Sources

    1. Consulat Général de Russie à Genève website, consulted January 20, 2022
    2. Government of Canada website, Travel and tourism information
      travel.gc.ca, consulted January 20, 2022
    3. US State Department Of State; Bureau of Consular Affairs; https://travel.state.gov / April 1, 2021; consulted January 20, 2022
    4. Bloomberg News, December 13, 2021

     

    updated: 1/20/2022
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