How to enter the Russian Federation without a VISA during the World Cup 2018?

Russia has made it easier for ticket holders to the World Cup 2018, to enter the Russian Federation without a visa. How does it work? Can I arrive at any entry point and present my tickets? No, it does not actually work like that. Let me give some information to how the process work.

We purchased our tickets from Argentina and had to collect our Fan ID’s at a collection point in Russia. However, you can download and print an electronic version of your Fan ID. This document will allow for multiple entries into the Russian Federation for the duration of the World Cup. Entry into the Russian Federation is possible from 00:00 on the 4th of June until 23:59 on the 25th of July 2018.

World Cup 2018; Russia World Cup Visa; Entering Russia without a Visa World Cup; Fan ID printed; — In front of the Kaliningrad Stadium in May 2018.

What documents need to be provided to obtain a visa at the border when entering Russia?

It is important to note that specific documents need to be provided to get a visa at the border.

Print the Electronic Fan ID that FIFA sent via email.
It is suggested to print it on an A4 document.
Laminate the Electronic Fan ID.
Present the laminated Fan ID and your passport or document used when the tickets were purchased.

What happens when you transit through other countries to watch a match?

It is very important to check before the time if you need transit visas. The Russian Visa will only allow you entry in and out of countries that belong to the Russian Federation. For example: You have matches in Moscow and need to travel to Kaliningrad by train. Technically Kaliningrad is not in Russia and you have to travel through Belarus and Lithuania.

The Russian Visa will give you entry into Belarus but it will not give you entry in Lithuania. Lithuania is part of the European Union and you will need a Schengen Visa. If you do need a Schengen Visa then I suggest you get a multiple entry visa.

In my case, I needed a Schengen Visa and I was issued a double entry visa. A double entry Schengen visa is not sufficient and I actually needed a multiple entry visa. Unfortunately it is now too late to fix it, unless I apply for a separate transit Schengen visa.

Why is this important? Well, when you visit any of the host cities, you are entitled to free transport. That includes the train that runs between Moscow and Kaliningrad. The train however, travels through Belarus and Lithuania.

Important information.

The printed Fan ID will not give you access to matches or the fan zone. Neither will it give you permission to use the transport for free in the host cities. You must obtain the official Fan ID from one of the distribution centers. The process is very easy and we got our here in Kaliningrad.

We had to present our passports and the Fan ID number that we received via email. In my case they took a new photo but Andrey was not required to have a photo taken. The young people at the Fan ID distribution center spoke English and I had no problems to get my official Fan ID.