“Entry not permitted” is an official decision that prevents a foreign national or stateless person from entering Russia for a statutory period or until a stated ground is resolved. It is different from a visa refusal, although both can affect travel. The first practical step is to identify the authority, legal ground and date of the decision.
Possible legal grounds
Articles 26 and 27 of Federal Law No. 114-FZ contain different grounds. Depending on the circumstances, they can include immigration-rule breaches, inaccurate information given at the border or in visa matters, administrative offences, overstaying, public-order or security grounds, and other statutory situations. The applicable duration and route for review depend on the exact provision used.
Initial document checklist
- passport and available border, visa or migration documents;
- the decision or official response identifying the ground and authority;
- documents relevant to the stated ground, including proof of departure, payment, court orders or administrative materials where applicable;
- documents that may be relevant to a request for review, such as family, medical or other legally significant circumstances.
Requesting cancellation or review
The Ministry of Internal Affairs states that an application to cancel an entry-not-permitted decision should be addressed to the territorial MVD body that issued it and should state the grounds for cancellation. Supporting documents are essential. If a representative acts for the foreign national, a notarised power of attorney and identity documents may be required.
Important limits
Family or personal circumstances can be relevant in some cases, but they do not automatically cancel a decision. A request should address the specific statutory basis, the evidence and the competent authority. If an administrative or judicial challenge is considered, procedural deadlines and the proper route must be checked promptly.
Current legal framework
The guide reflects Federal Law No. 114-FZ, the current government rules on entry-not-permitted decisions and MVD guidance. The law has specific transitional provisions and can change, so the live version must be verified for a particular case.