Russian authorities reportedly drafting legislation to require exit visas for foreign travel

Russia’s Foreign Ministry is drafting legislation to start requiring exit visas for citizens to travel abroad, the Telegram channel Mozhem Obyasnit reported on Friday, citing sources in diplomatic circles and the Putin administration.

According to the channel, travel to states on the Kremlin’s list of “unfriendly” countries could be restricted to organised tourist groups of at least 10 people, who would have to be accompanied by an escort and follow a pre-approved itinerary. The ministry would frame the move as a safety measure.

Meanwhile, exit visas would reportedly become mandatory for all foreign travel.

“It shouldn’t be the way it is now, where you can just buy a ticket and fly off. The state needs to give its permission,” a source familiar with the discussions told the outlet.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Marina Zakharova told state media agency TASS that reports of planned exit visa requirements are “nonsense”.

The Moscow Times noted that foreign travel was similarly restricted in the Soviet Union, beginning with a law passed under Joseph Stalin in 1935. Until 1991, travelling abroad entailed obtaining numerous approvals and an exit visa from the government’s Office of Visas and Registration.