Russian Federation
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on entry limiting the entry of people living with HIV.
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for entry.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for study visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
- Ban on entry.
- Ban on work.
- Ban on study.
- Ban on residence.
- Deportation based on HIV status.
Restrictions on entry to Russian Federation
Some sources suggest there are official restrictions on entry of people living with HIV to Russia.
According to UNAIDS, the Russian Federation requires HIV testing or disclosure for entry, and prohibits entry on the basis of HIV status. Non-nationals are deported on the basis of HIV status.
The US Department of State reports that some HIV entry restrictions exist for visitors to, and foreign residents of, Russia.
The documentation required for entry is available on the Russian visa centre.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Russian Federation
We are aware of some official restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV in Russia.
According to UNAIDS, the Russian Federation requires HIV testing or disclosure for work and study visas.
The US Department of State reports that HIV testing is required for work visas.
The documentation required for short-term stay is available on the Russian visa centre.
The consular section of the Embassy of Russia in Warsaw provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a work and student visa application, which can be valid for up to 90 days and can be issued for single or double entry. Among other requirements, the applicant should ‘submit HIV Test (AIDS) Certificate taken within the last three months. HIV Test (AIDS) Certificate should still be valid for 15-30 days on the day of your application.’
However, the same website includes no such requirements for tourist visas.
According to the information available on the website of the Embassy of Russia in the Netherlands, visas to get a temporary residence permit in Russia also require an ‘original of HIV Test (AIDS) certificate made within the last three months. The HIV Test Certificate should be signed by a doctor and by the applicant and stamped by a medical organisation.’
Restrictions on long-term stay in Russian Federation
We are aware of some official restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV in Russia.
According to UNAIDS, the Russian Federation requires HIV testing or disclosure for residency permits (longer than 90 days), and these are denied on the basis of HIV status.
The US Department of State reports that applicants for longer-term tourist and residence permits are required to undergo an HIV test.
The Government of Canada website, Travel and tourism information, highlights that 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 infection. The certificate must be valid for three months from the date of testing.
The documentation required for long-term stay is available on the Russian visa centre.
Treatment access in Russian Federation
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Russia. There is some evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
According to the Regional Expert Group on Migration and Health, foreign citizens living with HIV in Russia are not eligible for official antiretroviral therapy (ART), whether free or paid. ART medications are prescription-only and cannot be legally purchased without a doctor’s approval. Migrants face a difficult choice: return to their home country for free treatment, remain in Russia illegally and risk deportation, or find semi-legal ways to obtain treatment. Living undocumented in Russia involves constant fear of detention and deportation, along with the ongoing cost of purchasing ART, which can be expensive.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Russian Federation page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
