Dubai 17 June 2018: Football Fever to Grip the World – What does it mean for traveling fans? The entire world is looking towards Russia as it braces itself for the football frenzy that is FIFA 2018.While it is easy to get caught up in the excitement, the key to a truly memorable FIFA experience is careful planning, especially when it comes to travel arrangements. Here we have an in-depth view on what football fans need to consider when arranging their trip.
Firstly, the entry (and exit) of foreign citizens arriving in Russia as spectators for sports events within the framework of the FIFA 2018 World Cup can be carried out without issuing Russian visas. This is for theduration of June 14 – July 15, 2018 in the following: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, Ekaterinburg,Kaliningrad, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Saransk and Volgograd. For admission to Russia, foreign citizens must have a valid identity document (a “tourist” passport) and a“personalised card of the spectator” (also known as a “Fan ID”).
All football fanatics need to do is buy aWorld Cup match ticket, register for a Fan ID online, receive their Fan ID at the designated centre, travel to Russia and, last but not least, watch the game in the stadium!
So, what exactly is a Fan ID? A Fan ID is required for all foreign 2018 FIFA World Cup spectators to access the stadium and ensure a comfortable stay at the match venue. It can be in either laminated or digital form and provides its holder with the ability to travel freely in the host cities on match days. With a Fan ID, foreign spectators can enter and leave the territory of the Russian Federation multiple times, visa- free. In case a Fan ID is used as an entry/exit document for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the foreign citizen’s passport must be valid at entry and for the duration of stay in the Russian Federation. Dubai-based fans must apply for their FAN IDs through the FIFA website and then collect the approved permits.
Unlimited entry and exit is available to residents of CIS countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus,Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldavia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. If the stay is over 90 days, visitors will need grounds to be in Russia for a longer period – a work permit, patent, studies at a higher education establishment, etc.
The possibility of staying in Russia without a visa for up to 90 days is available to citizens of Abkhazia,Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay, Fiji, Chili, Ecuador. Nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macao, Cuba, Serbia, Thailand and Montenegro can reside in Russia without a visa for up to 30 days. Hong Kong residents can stay for up to 14 days. It is also important to note that up until July 25, 2018, all foreign and Russian nationals arriving from abroad or from other Russian regions will need to register at the local migration authorities at their place of stay in Russia.
The deadline is 3 calendar days of arrival for foreign and Russian nationals and applies if one is staying for more than 3 days. The only exception to this rule is given to foreign nationals who are championship participants and FIFA representatives, as well as to representatives of its subsidiaries and associated organizations and confederations. Also, if registration is normally waived off due to bilateral agreements between Russia and one’s home country, the exception would not apply between May 25,2018 and July 25, 2018. If one is staying at a hotel, then registration will be automatically completed by the hotel within 24 hours. If one rents property or stays with friends or family, then they must register on their own. Travelers must ensure their IDs are on them at all times in case of routine ID checks to ensure they are not fined.
While the rules and regulations may feel overwhelming, the process is quite simple and manageable, as long as it’s planned ahead. Staying informed is key to ensuring a fun and stress-less experience so that fans can focus on what they came for: the love of the sport.
Note: The author is with global immigration specialists firm of Fragomen