Russia

What does a Russian travel visa look like?

It shows information such as your name, date of birth and dates of validity. A Russian visa takes up one full page in a passport.

Russia Facts:

• Conventional long form: Russian Federation
• Conventional short form: Russia
• Local long form: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya
• Local short form: Rossiya
• Former: Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic

Russian Medical Facilities
Medical care is below western standards, with shortages of basic medical supplies and equipment and inferior standards of care and hygiene. The few “quality” facilities in Moscow that approach acceptable standards have limited space and do not accept all cases (i.e., they may reject cases of infectious illnesses or trauma). Access to these facilities usually requires cash payment at western rates upon admission.

The New Zealand Embassy maintain lists of such facilities and English-speaking doctors. Travellers should check their insurance coverage and purchase supplemental coverage for medical evacuation. A medical evacuation from Russian can cost between $70,000 to $150,000, depending on the complexity of the situation. Elderly travellers and those with existing health problems may be at particular risk. Elective surgery and non-essential blood transfusions are not recommended, due to uncertainties surrounding the local blood supply. Most hospitals and clinics in major urban areas have adopted the use of disposable syringes as standard practice; however, travellers to remote regions should bring a supply of sterile, disposable syringes for eventualities. Travellers should refrain from visiting tattoo parlours or piercing services due to the risk of infection.