Over recent years, the Russian banking system has had to navigate a tumultuous financial landscape, from the significant fall of the Russian Ruble and political instability to various international sanctions. The Russian banking system comprises two main parts: commercial banks and the central bank (Sberbank Rossii, Russian Savings Bank). Most commercial banks offer current and savings deposit accounts, while only more established banks in Russia offer currency exchange, investment, and corporate services.   more ...

Russia is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and stretching down to Northern Asia. Its vast landmass covers an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres (6,612,100 sq mi), making it the largest country in the world. In fact, the expanse of Russia accounts for one-eighth of the Earth's inhabited land area. It encompasses eleven different time zones and is home to a population of about 146.7 million.   more ...

Russia is a vast and fascinating country, and a popular destination for both tourism and employment. However, its bureaucracy can be challenging, and obtaining a visa is not always straightforward. Read on to learn about the processes involved.   more ...

Russia is a vast and fascinating country to live and work in, with a wide range of opportunities for expats seeking employment, from teaching English to the oil and gas industry to engineering or finance. The political situation is not always positive, but on the whole, Westerners will find themselves welcomed by ordinary Russians. Moscow is the main centre for big international companies, but you may wish to look further afield: there are opportunities as far away as Siberia. St Petersburg is also a major centre for expat work, with over a million foreign personnel resident in the city already, a figure which is expected to rise.   more ...

Obtaining the correct visa for a trip to Russia can be confusing, as there are many options to choose from. Our guide to the process will answer all your questions.

Who Needs A Visa

People from countries that have bilateral and multilateral agreements with Russia such as Ukraine and Belarus do not require a visa. Visa-exempt countries are listed here, although many will only allow a visit of a certain number of days before a visa is required. People from all other countries are required to apply for a visa, including citizens from the USA, UK, EU and Australia. The 2016 changes to regulations now state that citizens from Turkey also require a visa.   more ...

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Russia and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.   more ...

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Russia and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.   more ...

Expats moving to Moscow with their families in tow find themselves dealing with number of rather frustrating problems along with many wonderful opportunities. The harsh, long winters can be quite daunting, and transport infrastructure is seriously strained (although it does have its own attractions, such as the gorgeous murals, chandeliers, and architecture in the Moscow Metro). Expat families with children find these facets of the city particularly difficult. On the other hand, they also have plenty to savor – Moscow is one of the few places in the modern world where circuses continue to thrive, it also has plenty of parks, including a few huge, spectacular, family-friendly ones, and a range of other activities for families, including theatre, sport, and entertainment. Here are a few things you can look forward to doing with your family in Moscow, including some that aren’t dependent on the weather.   more ...

The entrance to the metro is generally just an underpass with a large “M” sign above it. The Moscow metro is quite extensive and the tickets are very cheap and can be purchased at the metro stations. Look for a ticket booth with the word ‘Kacca’ on it – you can buy multiple tickets (maximum of 60) for a number of journeys.

There is an emergency column at the centre of each metro station in case you require any assistance. The metro is very efficient and is probably your most economical option but rush hours are particularly brutal, unless you are used to taking the London tube or “the train” in NYC!   more ...

It’s common for expats to perceive Russia as an unsafe place to live on account of its largely negative reputation in the Western media. In reality, the crime rate is quite low for such a large country and crimes against foreigners are not very common. The apartments and housing complexes are also known to have good security systems in place. However expats who are living and working in cities like Moscow should be aware that incidents of theft and other crimes do occur from time to time. The best way to guard against such incidents is to take the necessary precautions such as avoiding poorly lit streets and certain suburban areas at night, and taking care of belongings when visiting crowded areas like markets and while travelling on public transport.   more ...