Frequently asked questions about the situation in the Russian Federation
Read the frequently asked questions about the situation in the Russian Federation.
General questions
Read the travel advice for the Russian Federation (information in Dutch)
The embassy in Moscow is open. The consulate-general in St. Petersburg is currently closed.
European airspace is closed to all air traffic from Europe to the Russian Federation and from the Russian Federation to Europe.
You can fly to the Netherlands through, for example, Türkiye, Dubai or Serbia. Take into account a major detour, more expensive tickets and a longer travel time. The situation can change quickly. If the Russian Federation closes its airspace, or if flying through other countries is no longer possible, departure will be very difficult.
Read more information on air traffic changes on the website of the International Air Transport Organisation (IATA) (information in English).
There are no passenger trains running between Russia and Finland, Estonia and Latvia due to the closure of the borders.
It is currently not possible to travel from the Russian Federation to an EU country with your own car with Russian registration plates. Before you leave, take a good look at the exit rules of the Russian Federation and the entry rules of the country of your destination.
Take into account that it may get very busy at border crossings if the situation gets worse. Be prepared: make sure you have enough fuel and cash. Don’t forget the green card for your car.
Your Dutch bank card and credit card will not work in the Russian Federation. This also applies to Visa, Mastercard and American Express debit cards. Bank cards from many other European banks will not work either. The Dutch embassy can only provide financial mediation in emergencies.
Travelling and travel documents
You can contact the embassy in Moscow by email: mos-ca@minbuza.nl.
You can apply for a new passport at the Dutch embassy in Moscow.
Find out how to apply for a passport in the Russian Federation
In some cases, you can apply for a (one-way) laissez-passer at the Dutch embassy in Moscow. You can then apply for a regular passport at a border municipality in the Netherlands.
In the Russian Federation, you can only apply for a Schengen visa for the following purposes of travel:
- family visit to 1st and 2nd degree relatives in the Netherlands
- business visit
- seafaring
- social or cultural purpose
Do you have a different purpose of travel? Then it is not possible apply for a Schengen visa.
Read more about how to apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands in the Russian Federation
As a result of the decision of the Russian authorities in April 2022, to declare the Dutch consular staff of the embassy in Moscow persona non grata, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has had to restrict the regular Schengen visa granting. This allows visa applications for a limited number of travel purposes.
See "Can I apply for a Schengen visa?" to find out for which purposes you can apply for a Schengen visa.
Are you coming to the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days to visit family? And do you have 1st or 2nd degree relatives in the Netherlands? Then you can apply for a Schengen visa at VFS Global in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok or Yekaterinburg.
The following persons are 1st or 2nd degree relatives:
- 1st degree: partner (marriage partner or registered partner), parent (also adoptive and stepparent), parent-in-law, child (also adopted and stepchild), daughter-in-law, son-in-law
- 2nd degree: brother, sister, grandchild, grandfather, grandmother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, stepsister and stepbrother
Read more about how to apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands in the Russian Federation
A visa application from a different country than the Russian Federation is only possible if you have a residence permit for that country and you are currently residing there.
MVV visa sticker
You can apply for an MVV visa sticker at the Dutch embassy in Moscow.
Read more about how to apply for an MVV visa sticker in the Russian Federation
You can make an online appointment at the Dutch embassy in Moscow to apply for your MVV visa sticker. You can still go to the Netherlands.
If you want to change your appointment for an MVV visa sticker, please send an email to the Dutch embassy where you made the appointment. The embassy can discuss the options with you.
Has your application for a residence permit for the Netherlands been approved? And are you in a country other than Russia? Then you can apply for the MVV visa sticker at the Dutch embassy or consulate-general in the country where you are currently residing. You do not need a residence permit for that country.
Contact the IND to change your application location.