Your reference guide to Russia
Practical guides and news for English speakers — visa, expatriation, travel, culture and business.
Which visa for Russia?
5 questions to find yours.
Visa & Immigration
Russia's Talent Visa: Decree 883 and the Impatriate Status
Decree 883 creates the status of foreigner of interest to Russia: RVP or VNZh outside quota, no language exam, decided in 30 days. Criteria and procedure.
Russian Family Visa: A Year of Free Movement for the Spouse of a Russian Citizen
Spouse or close relative of a Russian citizen: one-year multi-entry private visa, no stay cap, extendable without leaving Russia. Procedure and 2026 costs.
Sakharovo Migration Centre: The Manual Nobody Hands You
Every Moscow residence permit file goes through Sakharovo. Appointments, the 30-minute grace, the RVP quota, and the city office that moved in June 2026.
Expatriation
The Annual Residence Notification: The Duty That Costs People Their Permit
RVP and VNZh holders: two months to file the annual notification, twelve regional subsistence minimums of income to prove. Documents, filing and penalties.
Mandatory Medical Examination in Russia: Thirty Days Since June 10, 2026
Since Law 162-FZ, any foreigner staying over 30 days in Russia must take the medical examination within 30 days. Who is covered, where, cost, penalties.
Migration Registration and Propiska: The Formality That Governs Everything Else
Seven working days to register in Russia, temporary or permanent. Who declares, what a hotel changes, and why the address governs the whole file.
Travel & Tourism
SIM Card in Russia: Complete Guide to Phone, eSIM and Mobile Internet (2026)
Mobile internet in Russia: buying a Russian SIM card, new Gosuslugi/SNILS rules, eSIM alternatives, operators MTS/Beeline/MegaFon/Tele2 and prices.
Trains in Russia: Tickets, Sapsan, Night Trains and Trans-Siberian (2026)
Complete guide to Russian trains in 2026: buying tickets, Sapsan Moscow-SPB, night trains, Trans-Siberian Railway, classes, prices and practical tips.
Russia's Golden Ring: A Complete Travel Guide
Complete travel guide to Russia's Golden Ring: historic cities, itineraries, how to get there, what to see, where to stay, and realistic budgets.
Culture & Society
Understanding Russian Women: Culture, Mindset and Relationships
Beyond the stereotypes: understanding Russian women's culture, mindset and relationship norms. A grounded cultural guide for Western men in 2026.
Dating in Russia: A Practical Guide for Westerners
How to meet Russian women: dating apps that work, agencies, cultural pitfalls and red flags — a grounded practical guide for Western men in 2026.
Russian First Names, Surnames and Patronymics Explained
How Russian first names, patronymics ending in -ovich and -ovna, gendered surnames and diminutives actually work, and which form to use in which context.
Russian Language
The Russian Language, History and Law Exam for a Residence Permit
The real format of the Russian language, history and law exam for the RVP, VNZh and citizenship: who is exempt, how many questions, where to sit it, cost.
Learning Russian: The Complete Guide from Beginner to Advanced
Comprehensive guide to learning Russian: Cyrillic alphabet, grammar stages, methods, free resources, realistic timelines and proven strategies for every level.
Best Apps for Learning Russian in 2026: An Honest Comparison
Honest comparison of the best apps for learning Russian in 2026: Duolingo, Pimsleur, Babbel, Anki, italki, YouTube channels, and the optimal combination.
Economy & Business
What Settling in Russia Actually Costs: The 2026 Breakdown
State fees, medical exam, translations, language tests, professional fees: the full cost of a Russian migration path in 2026, item by item, in roubles.
The Russian Economy in 2026: A Complete Overview
A comprehensive analysis of Russia's economy in 2026: GDP growth, sanctions impact, key sectors, trade partners, ruble dynamics and future scenarios.
T-Bank vs Sberbank vs Alfa: 3 Russian Banks Compared for Expats 2026
Which Russian bank should an expat choose in 2026? T-Bank, Sberbank and Alfa compared: savings rates up to 22%, ATMs, SWIFT access, English-friendly apps.