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Vaccines for Travelers

Vaccines protect travelers from serious diseases. Depending on where you travel, you may come into contact with diseases that are rare in the United States, like yellow fever. Some vaccines may also be required for you to travel to certain places.

Getting vaccinated will help keep you safe and healthy while you’re traveling. It will also help make sure that you don’t bring any serious diseases home to your family, friends, and community.

On this page, you'll find answers to common questions about vaccines for travelers.

Which vaccines do I need before traveling?

The vaccines you need to get before traveling will depend on few things, including:

  • Where you plan to travel . Some countries require proof of vaccination for certain diseases, like yellow fever or polio. And traveling in developing countries and rural areas may bring you into contact with more diseases, which means you might need more vaccines before you visit.
  • Your health . If you’re pregnant or have an ongoing illness or weakened immune system, you may need additional vaccines.
  • The vaccinations you’ve already had . It’s important to be up to date on your routine vaccinations. While diseases like measles are rare in the United States, they are more common in other countries. Learn more about routine vaccines for specific age groups .

How far in advance should I get vaccinated before traveling?

It’s important to get vaccinated at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This will give the vaccines time to start working, so you’re protected while you’re traveling. It will also usually make sure there’s enough time for you to get vaccines that require more than 1 dose.

Where can I go to get travel vaccines?

Start by finding a:

  • Travel clinic
  • Health department
  • Yellow fever vaccination clinic

Learn more about where you can get vaccines .

What resources can I use to prepare for my trip?

Here are some resources that may come in handy as you’re planning your trip:

  • Visit CDC’s travel website to find out which vaccines you may need based on where you plan to travel, what you’ll be doing, and any health conditions you have.
  • Download CDC's TravWell app to get recommended vaccines, a checklist to help prepare for travel, and a personalized packing list. You can also use it to store travel documents and keep a record of your medicines and vaccinations.
  • Read the current travel notices to learn about any new disease outbreaks in or vaccine recommendations for the areas where you plan to travel.
  • Visit the State Department’s website to learn about vaccinations, insurance, and medical emergencies while traveling.

Traveling with a child? Make sure they get the measles vaccine.

Measles is still common in some countries. Getting your child vaccinated will protect them from getting measles — and from bringing it back to the United States where it can spread to others. Learn more about the measles vaccine.

Find out which vaccines you need

CDC’s Adult Vaccine Quiz helps you create a list of vaccines you may need based on your age, health conditions, and more.

Take the quiz now !

Get Immunized

Getting immunized is easy. Vaccines and preventive antibodies are available at the doctor’s office or pharmacies — and are usually covered by insurance.

Find out how to get protected .

clock This article was published more than  2 years ago

How to prove your vaccination status when traveling internationally

travel vaccination record

Even as the pandemic approaches its third year, there’s no such thing as a vaccination passport in the United States. So how do you prove that you’ve been vaccinated and boosted when you travel internationally?

I had to answer that question quickly when I landed recently on the Azorean island of São Miguel. Officials ushered arriving passengers into a long line and asked to see our Certificado de Vacinação, also known as the European Union’s “ digital green certificate .” I didn’t have one. And there is no U.S. equivalent.

“Unfortunately, given the patchwork approach to vaccine passports in the U.S. — with some states offering some form of vaccine passport and others banning vaccine passports — it would be nearly impractical for a foreign government to recognize a U.S.-based application,” explains Bob Bacheler, managing director of Flying Angels , a non-emergency medical transport service.

And so began an adventure that many Americans have probably experienced. How do you prove you’ve been vaccinated? Can you get a foreign vaccine passport? And what if you can’t prove you’ve been vaccinated?

I hoped the solution would be my Yellow Card, also known as the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. I wrote about the Yellow Card in an earlier column , and when I had my vaccine doses and booster shot, I asked the nurse to fill out my Yellow Card and my Centers for Disease Control and Prevention coronavirus vaccination record card.

The Azorean official accepted my Yellow Card. She also okayed my 19-year-old son’s Yellow Card. But when she opened my 16-year-old son’s card, she said we had “um problema.”

When he finished his vaccination series this summer, he had forgotten to ask the pharmacist to fill out the Yellow Card in addition to his CDC card.

“Look,” I murmured, barely able to keep my eyes open after more than 30 hours of flying. “Can't I just fill out the information on his Yellow Card?”

“No,” she insisted. It needed to be done by a medical professional.

Finally, I offered her his expired PCR test, taken almost four days previously in Los Angeles. She waved us through. In the van on the way to our hotel, I filled out my son’s Yellow Card with his CDC vaccine information.

But can you simply get a foreign vaccine certificate? Alan Oakes did. The retired magazine publisher from Laguna Hills, Calif., has made two trips to France since the pandemic started. This past summer, French authorities announced that foreign nationals could qualify for a TousAntiCovid pass — the France digital covid pass. In November, on their most recent visit, Oakes and his wife applied for the pass and received it. But they didn’t really need it.

“We showed our handwritten U.S.A. CDC pass and had no issues,” he says.

Andy Abramson, a frequent air traveler who runs a communications firm in Los Angeles, also obtained a French vaccine passport this past fall. He found that the QR code it generated allowed him to move between European countries.

Getting a vaccine passport in France is pretty straightforward. You can go to any pharmacy and pay about $40 to verify your status. You have to bring your passport and original vaccination certificate, then download the TousAntiCovid app. That’s what Jack Ezon, founder of Embark Beyond , a travel agency, did when he visited Paris recently.

An insider tip: Most luxury hotels in France will get a vaccine certificate for you. “Just drop your passport, vaccine certificate and fill out a form, and you’ll have a QR code delivered to your room,” Ezon says.

You can obtain an E.U. digital green certificate when you’re in Europe at a pharmacy or testing center. For example, if you’re headed to Barcelona this spring, you can apply for a certificate at any test center accredited by the Catalan Health Service, CatSalut. Readers have also reported that they have applied for a E.U. digital green certificate at French pharmacies. Paperwork requirements vary. Some will accept your U.S. cards as proof of vaccination, while others may require a PCR or antigen test.

If you can’t get a vaccine passport like the E.U.’s digital green certificate, you can always try to use the vaccination record you have. That’s right: the CDC card you were given when you were vaccinated. That’s what Jeff O’Hara​ did when he visited Germany recently. He found that the certificates were required almost everywhere he went.

“I had a picture of my CDC card saved on my phone,” he says. It worked every time, says O’Hara, who runs an event management firm in New Orleans. Just to be safe, O’Hara also recommends having an app such as Airside or VerifFly in case someone questions your card.

Craig Zapatka, co-founder of the travel planning site Elsewhere , says the stakes are pretty low once you’re in your destination country.

“There have been only a few very special incidents where our travelers have been rejected, and only in Western Europe,” he says. “But the incidents did not in any way affect the overall travel experience. They occurred at a nightlife event and a few cafes.”

And if you don’t have the proof you need? In São Miguel, where my sons and I had our paperwork trouble, the agent said we could take a quick antigen test, then enter the country. But I’ve also seen officials in Europe wave travelers through, even when their documentation isn’t perfect.

Maybe that’s the most important takeaway when it comes to foreign vaccine passports: In the end, having one may not even matter.

Read past Navigator columns

Do you need a second copy of your passport — and how do you get one?

What to do when a hotel closure impacts your trip

Health insurance for travelers: Which one is right for you?

travel vaccination record

Watch CBS News

You've been vaccinated. So what should you do with your vaccine card?

By Megan Cerullo

April 21, 2021 / 9:42 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

More than 100 million Americans have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot. The proof? A 4-by-3-inch paper "vaccination record card" issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

In a post-pandemic world, that humble card for those who are fully vaccinated could become an important document used for travel, attending events, returning to the post-pandemic office and other purposes. At least a dozen colleges and universities have already announced that they'll require students to become immunized before they return to campus in the fall. Companies are currently weighing whether they will require employees and patrons to present proof of vaccination as a condition of employment or engaging in business.  

In the meantime, here's what experts say you should know about vaccination cards. 

Photograph your record card

The first thing experts recommend once you've been vaccinated is taking a digital photograph of both sides of your personal record card. You can also scan the card and save the file on a laptop or desktop, said Megan Ranney, an emergency physician at Rhode Island Hospital and an associate professor at Brown University.

One thing you shouldn't do: Share your personal proof of inoculation on Facebook or other social media sites, which could lead to identity theft because the CDC card includes a person's date of birth as well as first name and last name. 

"I would not post it to social media with my birthday showing. It is a unique identifier that could allow somebody to potentially steal your identity, so I would first be careful about that," epidemiologist Danielle Ompad, a professor at the NYU School of Global Public Health, told CBS MoneyWatch. 

By contrast, you may want to print a copy of the photo of the vaccination card and store it in your wallet. While some experts advise against having the original card laminated, so that booster shots of vaccine can be added if that becomes necessary, others say that's OK because a more sophisticated record-keeping system is likely to be in place by then. 

"I would laminate it because by the time a booster comes along, the technology will have evolved," suggested Dr. Maureen Miller, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. 

You can get your card laminated for free at office supply store Staples by using the code 81450 or at Office Depot with code 52516714. 

Leave the original at home

Make sure to store the original hard copy of your vaccine card someplace safe — you don't need to keep it on your person at all times and risk losing it. Experts recommend keeping the original with other important documents or medical records and carrying just the digital copy.

"It doesn't need to be carried at all times at this point, unless you're traveling or doing something else where you'll have to provide proof of vaccination," Ranney said. 

Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said he keeps his vaccination record tucked into his passport (along with a card showing he's been vaccinated against yellow fever).

Notify your primary care doctor that you've received the vaccine, as you would with any other inoculation. This helps health care providers to ensure your record of immunizations is up to date.

Not everyone has followed experts' advice to store vaccination records someplace secure. University of Illinois gymnast Evan Manivong recently nailed a perfect landing during a vault competition — and celebrated by pulling out his vaccine card tucked inside his leotard and flashing it to the audience. "Go get vaccinated everyone!" the 20-year-old advertising major later tweeted. Videos of the magic moment went viral this week.

What happens if I lose it?

If you do lose your card, don't panic. Every time a vaccine is administered, the provider records it with the state's immunization registry. 

"Those flimsy pieces of paper aren't the only record of your vaccination status," Adalja said. "People should keep the cards safe so they have them on hand, but it's not the end of the world if they lose it or if it goes through the washing machine."

If you do misplace your card, call your state's health department and ask for a replacement. 

"Right now it's what we have as proof that you've gotten the vaccine, but it's not impossible to replace," said Dr. Christine Whelan, clinical professor of consumer science at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

For now, Whelan said, the CDC's simple white cards may have more symbolic value than practical function.

"Other countries aren't giving out pieces of paper like we are, and this may be a quaint thing we are doing. There is something satisfying about leaving with the card copy record just in case," she said. 

No universal standard — yet

President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, this week said the U.S. government will not mandate so-called  vaccine passports  for travel and other business activities. Anything resembling a digital pass is likely to be  developed by the private sector , he added.

Some experts lament that the government did not develop a standardized, digital proof of vaccination earlier.

"I think the U.S. government should have thought of a digital app early on and had it ready to go so that it activated when a person got a vaccine," Adalja said. "Now we're having to scramble to come up with a solution that's digital and secure so people don't have to worry about carrying that card around."

Ideally, one's vaccination status would be integrated and stored with other personal travel information that's reflected in programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck that ease the process of traveling through airport security. 

Beware faux vax cards

Scammers are also capitalizing on the low-tech record-keeping system. Hundreds of fraudsters are selling fake versions of the CDC-issued vaccine cards through ecommerce platforms including eBay, Etsy and Shopify, according to Saoud Khalifah, CEO of Fakespot, which uses artificial intelligence to warn consumers of online retail scams.

unknown-copy.png

The scam cards are being advertised at roughly $20 a pop, and are also offered in bulk. The fraud is brazenly out in the open. Fakespot has identified hundreds of Facebook pages and eBay listings offering "vax-cards" and "blank vaccine cards" for individuals who might not have been vaccinated yet. 

"It has introduced this new dynamic to society where people can counterfeit immunity and replace it with a fake card. It's a new concept we haven't seen before," Khalifah told CBS MoneyWatch. 

Khalifah suspects that some purchasers of the phony cards are anti-vaxxers who don't plan on becoming immunized, but still want whatever access the card affords them.  

The FBI has warned  that such schemes violate federal laws prohibiting unauthorized use of an official government agency's seal, including the one for the CDC. Fraudulent use of an official federal seal constitutes a felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. 

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and a group of bipartisan attorneys general this week called on the e-commerce site OfferUp to clamp down on the illegal sale of blank and forged COVID-19 vaccination record cards. This kind of fraud puts the general public's health at risk, according to Stein.

"These cards will result in more people becoming sick by more variants of the virus and more people dying as the pandemic takes longer to get under control," he told CBS MoneyWatch. "By not getting the vaccine, it means more people will get infected with variants and that threatens everyone's health."

Race for digital passports and other solutions

As Fauci suggested, private companies are already developing ways for people to show they've been vaccinated or are coronavirus-free. For example, New York authorities are testing a digital health pass powered by blockchain technology in partnership with computer science company IBM.

"The aim is to eventually provide New York residents a simple, voluntary and secure method for showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test result or certification of vaccination," IBM said in a press release last month.  

screen-shot-2021-04-06-at-3-27-08-pm.png

New York recently piloted the so-called Excelsior Pass with the Brooklyn Nets at one of the National Basketball Association team's home games at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It will also be tested at theaters and other venues as more New Yorkers become vaccinated. 

"The Excelsior Pass will play a critical role in getting information to venues and sites in a secure and streamlined way, allowing us to fast-track the reopening of these businesses and getting us one step closer to reaching a new normal," Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement last month. 

Vaccine management company  VaxAtlas  has also launched an app for consumers to securely store vaccination record cards. 

"Verification will soon be a requirement for travel, work, venues, even schools and every state might have different rules and guidelines. We need one centralized system to ensure vaccinations and certifications are not lost and that personal information is securely stored," said VaxAtlas CEO Judi Korzec.

Alleviating anxiety

VaxYes is another tool that provides free, HIPAA-compliant digital vaccine records for inoculated individuals. Company CEO Mohammed Gaber expects the product initially to be used most widely in the travel sector.

"I personally went through the highs of getting both doses of the vaccine and the lows of thinking and fearing I had lost my card. Everyone is going to have anxiety around this card and how to safeguard it," Gaber said. 

VaxYes has partnered with different states and organizations around the U.S., including Kansas, which is testing the tool to allow residents to return to shows and other events. To date, thousands of Americans have digitized their paper cards through VaxYes, according to the company.

"People are already starting to think about summer travel plans, and they see this as an enabler for getting back to normal and resuming travel activities," Gaber said. "We're super excited to be a part of the solution."

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • COVID-19 Vaccine

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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What You Need to Know About Your Vaccine Card

For now, the best way to show that you’ve been inoculated against the coronavirus is a simple card. Here, your key questions are answered.

travel vaccination record

By Concepción de León

As vaccinations become more widely available for people in the United States and travel starts picking up, many people have started sharing their vaccination cards on social media as prized new possessions.

With some destinations, cruise lines and venues already requiring travelers to provide proof of vaccination against Covid-19, keeping that record is key. In New York, for example, which reopened in May , proof of vaccination or a recent negative test may be required for entry into some large venues or catered events. Those unvaccinated will be instructed to wear a mask, practice social distancing and depending on the venue, could be assigned to a section specific to their vaccination status.

There are already a number of vaccination “passport” initiatives underway that would make vaccination status easy to share digitally. Clear , a biometric screening program used in airports across the country, and the technology company IBM have created their own passes, for instance. And in March, New York became the first state to introduce a digital tool, called Excelsior Pass, to allow people to easily show that they have either tested negative or been inoculated against the virus in order to gain entry into some events and venues.

But until such measures are taken more widely across the country, you’ll want to hang onto that little card.

Here’s everything you need to know about your vaccine record, why it’s important and how to keep it safe.

What’s on a vaccine card?

The vaccine card, given after your first shot and then updated if your vaccine requires a second one, includes the vaccine manufacturer, the dose numbers and the date and location each was administered, according to Alex Brown, a spokeswoman for Walgreens , which is administering vaccinations at all of its more than 9,000 stores nationwide.

Walgreens, like other providers, has made its records digital, Ms. Brown said. Patients can access their vaccine records via the company’s website or mobile app.

Walmart and Sam’s Club are already offering their patrons digital access to their vaccine records through both the Health Pass by Clear and the CommonHealth and CommonPass apps from the Geneva-based nonprofit, the Commons Project Foundation.

“Our goal is to give customers vaccinated at Walmart free and secure digital access to their vaccine record and enable them to share that information with third parties seeking to confirm their vaccination status,” John Furner, the chief executive officer and president of Walmart U.S., said in a statement .

What happens if I lose my card?

Getting a new card is easy enough if you got vaccinated at a pharmacy like Walgreens. Ms. Brown said that anyone who loses their card should return to where they were vaccinated and a pharmacy employee can print out a new card from the patient’s electronic records.

Vaccinations are also tracked by state health departments, so you can reach out to your state’s agency to get a replacement card, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency lists contact information for the Immunization Information System in each state, which tracks vaccinations, on its website.

How should I safeguard my card?

Start by taking a picture of it with your phone, so you’ll have the information in your photo library, and emailing it to yourself as backup, said Dr. Uchenna Ikediobi, an assistant professor of general internal medicine and infectious diseases at Yale University.

Laminating your card will make it more durable if you’re planning to carry it around in your wallet, though there has been some concern about lamination because it would prevent information from future booster shots from being added. But Dr. Ikediobi said that this “may be a moot point if new cards are issued after a booster shot, as would seem likely.”

A number of companies have jumped in to offer free lamination. Staples is offering free lamination of vaccine cards for those who have gotten their doses, according to Jocelyn Moruzzi, a spokeswoman for the office goods retailer. The offer is valid at all of the company’s United States locations with the offer code 81450 and will end on July 31.

“Customers began seeking out ways to protect their Covid-19 vaccine record cards, knowing they will likely be important to have on hand in the future,” Craig Grayson, vice president of print and marketing services for Staples, said in an email. “Leveraging our existing capabilities in store felt like a natural way to provide a free solution.”

People can also get their completed vaccine cards laminated for free at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores nationwide using the code 52516714 through July 25.

Dr. Ikediobi also recommends keeping the card in a safe place, as you would your passport, rather than carrying it around. “It does not necessarily need to be on your person at all times,” she said.

Do I need my card to travel?

In some cases, yes. Border entry requirements are set by governments, not by airlines or by the International Air Transport Association, the trade association for the world’s airlines. Some destinations and cruise lines have started requiring that travelers be fully vaccinated before they travel. As of March 26, fully vaccinated Americans who can present proof of vaccination can visit Iceland , for example, and avoid border measures such as testing and quarantining, the country’s government said .

The cruise line Royal Caribbean is requiring passengers and crew members 16 or older to be vaccinated in order to board its ships. Virgin Voyages, Crystal Cruises and others are requiring guests to be vaccinated as well. These companies will restart cruise operations this spring and summer.

For the moment, airlines are not requiring vaccinations for travel, but some international destinations are requiring vaccination for entry. The idea has been much talked about in the industry. In an interview with NBC Nightly News , Ed Bastian, the chief executive officer of Delta Air Lines, said that proof of vaccination will likely eventually be required on international flights, but whether that is paper proof or a digital vaccine passport, is unclear.

Perry Flint, a spokesman for the I.A.T.A., said that the agency does not support a mandatory vaccine requirement for air travel because it “risks discriminating against those markets where vaccines may take longer to become widely available” or against those “who are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons, or who are unwilling to do so owing to ethical or other concerns.”

Still, the agency has developed its own vaccine pass called Travel Pass , which travelers can use to share Covid-related health information with governments or airlines that require it, Mr. Flint said.

Will New York require a vaccine passport?

In March, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the launch of Excelsior Pass , a free app that will allow businesses to scan a code to confirm whether someone has been vaccinated or tested negative for the coronavirus. To sign up, New York residents should visit the Excelsior Pass website, where they will be asked to enter their name, date of birth and ZIP code. A pass — a QR code that can be scanned by businesses — will automatically be generated using data from state vaccination records or testing lab data.

No one is required to download Excelsior Pass, according to a spokesman for the governor’s office. The pass generated on the website can be printed out, or you can show your vaccine card or evidence of a negative test result instead.

Will the Biden administration require a vaccine passport?

Among the Biden administration’s executive orders aimed at curbing the pandemic is one that asked government agencies to “assess the feasibility” of producing digital versions of vaccination documents. But while the government is involved in these efforts, the administration has said that it would not be passing a federal mandate or distributing its own vaccine passport.

In a White House Covid-19 news conference in March, Andy Slavitt, a senior White House pandemic adviser, said that “unlike other parts of the world, the government here is not viewing its role as the place to create a passport, nor a place to hold the data of citizens.”

“We view this as something that the private sector is doing and will do,” he said. “What’s important to us — and we’re leading an interagency process right now to go through these details — are that some important criteria be met with these credentials,” including equitable access and privacy and security concerns.

Are there other benefits?

Yes. Aside from the health benefits of getting the vaccine, there are also other perks that come with your vaccine card. Businesses across the country, from bars to marijuana dispensaries , have been offering perks to those with a Covid-19 vaccination card. Krispy Kreme , for instance, said that for the rest of the year, it would give one free glazed doughnut per day to anyone who presents proof of a Covid-19 vaccination.

Michael Tattersfield, the company’s chief executive, told Fox News that as vaccinations have accelerated across the country, “We made the decision that, ‘Hey, we can support the next act of joy,’ which is, if you come by, show us a vaccine card, get a doughnut any time, any day, every day if you choose to.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list for 2021 .

Concepción de León is a travel reporter based in New York. More about Concepción de León

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Check your COVID-19 vaccine record

Use this service to see:

  • when you had a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination
  • which vaccine you had
  • where you had it

You can also report any side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine

Before you start

You can use this service if you:

  • have had a COVID-19 vaccination in England
  • are not part of a vaccine trial
  • are aged 16 or over
  • have an NHS login

What is NHS login?

NHS login lets you access a variety of digital health and care websites and apps with just one email address and password.

If you do not already have an NHS login, you can set one up now.

By using this service you are agreeing to our terms of use and privacy policy .

Travel vaccination advice

If you're planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world.

Vaccinations are available to protect you against infections such as yellow fever , typhoid and hepatitis A .

In the UK, the  NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule protects you against a number of diseases, but does not cover all of the infectious diseases found overseas.

When should I start thinking about the vaccines I need?

If possible, see the GP or a private travel clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before you're due to travel.

Some vaccines need to be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity.

And some vaccines involve a number of doses spread over several weeks or months.

You may be more at risk of some diseases, for example, if you're:

  • travelling in rural areas
  • backpacking
  • staying in hostels or camping
  • on a long trip rather than a package holiday

If you have a pre-existing health problem, this may make you more at risk of infection or complications from a travel-related illness.

Which travel vaccines do I need?

You can find out which vaccinations are necessary or recommended for the areas you'll be visiting on these websites:

  • Travel Health Pro
  • NHS Fit for Travel

Some countries require proof of vaccination (for example, for polio or yellow fever vaccination), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before you enter or when you leave a country.

Saudi Arabia requires proof of vaccination against certain types of meningitis for visitors arriving for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Even if an ICVP is not required, it's still a good idea to take a record of the vaccinations you have had with you.

Find out more about the vaccines available for travellers abroad

Where do I get my travel vaccines?

First, phone or visit the GP practice or practice nurse to find out whether your existing UK vaccinations are up-to-date.

If you have any records of your vaccinations, let the GP know what you have had previously.

The GP or practice nurse may be able to give you general advice about travel vaccinations and travel health, such as protecting yourself from malaria.

They can give you any missing doses of your UK vaccines if you need them.

Not all travel vaccinations are available free on the NHS, even if they're recommended for travel to a certain area.

If the GP practice can give you the travel vaccines you need but they are not available on the NHS, ask for:

  • written information on what vaccines are needed
  • the cost of each dose or course
  • any other charges you may have to pay, such as for some certificates of vaccination

You can also get travel vaccines from:

  • private travel vaccination clinics
  • pharmacies offering travel healthcare services

Which travel vaccines are free?

The following travel vaccines are available free on the NHS from your GP surgery:

  • polio (given as a combined diphtheria/tetanus/polio jab )
  • hepatitis A

These vaccines are free because they protect against diseases thought to represent the greatest risk to public health if they were brought into the country.

Which travel vaccines will I have to pay for?

You'll have to pay for travel vaccinations against:

  • hepatitis B
  • Japanese encephalitis
  • tick-borne encephalitis
  • tuberculosis (TB)
  • yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccines are only available from designated centres .

The cost of travel vaccines that are not available on the NHS will vary, depending on the vaccine and number of doses you need.

It's worth considering this when budgeting for your trip.

Other things to consider

There are other things to consider when planning your travel vaccinations, including:

  • your age and health – you may be more vulnerable to infection than others; some vaccines cannot be given to people with certain medical conditions
  • working as an aid worker – you may come into contact with more diseases in a refugee camp or helping after a natural disaster
  • working in a medical setting – a doctor, nurse or another healthcare worker may require additional vaccinations
  • contact with animals – you may be more at risk of getting diseases spread by animals, such as rabies

If you're only travelling to countries in northern and central Europe, North America or Australia, you're unlikely to need any vaccinations.

But it's important to check that you're up-to-date with routine vaccinations available on the NHS.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Speak to a GP before having any vaccinations if:

  • you're pregnant
  • you think you might be pregnant
  • you're breastfeeding

In many cases, it's unlikely a vaccine given while you're pregnant or breastfeeding will cause problems for the baby.

But the GP will be able to give you further advice about this.

People with immune deficiencies

For some people travelling overseas, vaccination against certain diseases may not be advised.

This may be the case if:

  • you have a condition that affects your body's immune system, such as HIV or AIDS
  • you're receiving treatment that affects your immune system, such as chemotherapy
  • you have recently had a bone marrow or organ transplant

A GP can give you further advice about this.

Non-travel vaccines

As well as getting any travel vaccinations you need, it's also a good opportunity to make sure your other vaccinations are up-to-date and have booster vaccines if necessary.

Although many routine NHS vaccinations are given during childhood, you can have some of them (such as the MMR vaccine ) as an adult if you missed getting vaccinated as a child.

There are also some extra NHS vaccinations for people at higher risk of certain illnesses, such as the flu vaccine , the hepatitis B vaccine and the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) .

Your GP can advise you about any NHS vaccinations you might need.

Find out about NHS vaccinations and when to have them

Page last reviewed: 16 March 2023 Next review due: 16 March 2026

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Travel vaccinations

Measles cases are increasing worldwide.

Before travelling, check that you and your family have received the recommended measles vaccinations.

Do not travel if you have symptoms of measles or have been in contact with someone with measles.

If you develop symptoms of measles after your return to Canada, call a health care provider right away.

Global Measles Notice

When travelling outside Canada, you may be at risk for a number of vaccine preventable illnesses.

You should consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel. This is an opportunity to:

  • review your immunization history
  • make sure your provincial/territorial vaccination schedule is up-to-date
  • discuss any trip-related health concerns you may have
  • assess your needs based on where you plan to travel and what you plan to do

You may need additional vaccinations depending on your age, planned travel activities and local conditions. Preventing disease through vaccination is a lifelong process.

Use the reference below to determine which vaccinations may be recommended or required for your destination.

Vaccination recommendations by destination

Yellow fever vaccination.

Some countries require proof that you have received a yellow fever vaccination before allowing you to enter the country. Consult an embassy or consulate of your destination country in Canada for up-to-date information on its entry and exit requirements before you travel abroad.

Other countries may require you to have been vaccinated for yellow fever if you have passed through an area where yellow fever may occur .

Proof of vaccination must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis . You must carry the original certificate with you.

In Canada, the vaccination is only given at designated yellow fever vaccination centres .

Immunization records

  • Download the free CANImmunize app from the iOS App Store or Google Play, and manage your family’s vaccination records on the go.
  • Carry copies of your family’s immunization records while you travel and leave the originals at home.
  • Sickness or injury
  • Travel Advice and Advisories
  • If you get sick after travelling
  • Receiving medical care in other countries
  • Travel health kit
  • Travel insurance
  • Well on Your Way - A Canadian’s Guide to Healthy Travel Abroad
  • Tips for healthy travel
  • Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada , Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
  • Recommended Immunization Schedules , PHAC

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Russia Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

  • Packing List

After Your Trip

Map - Russia

Be aware of current health issues in Russia. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

  • Updated   Global Measles May 21, 2024 Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Destination List: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

  • Chickenpox (Varicella)
  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
  • Flu (influenza)
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Russia.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Russia. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Russia.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers who

  • Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
  • Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
  • Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis

Consider vaccination for travelers

  • Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
  • Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there

Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season. 

Japanese encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for US Children

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Russia. However, if you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Russia, rabies treatment is often available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

  • Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
  • Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
  • Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Russia. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Tick-borne Encephalitis

For travelers moving or traveling to TBE-endemic areas

TBE vaccine is recommended for persons who will have extensive exposure to ticks based on their planned outdoor activities and itinerary.

TBE vaccine may be considered for persons who might engage in outdoor activities in areas ticks are likely to be found. 

Tick-borne Encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

  • Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
  • Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
  • Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
  • Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

  • Tick bite 
  • Touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF
  • Avoid Bug Bites

Airborne & droplet

Avian/bird flu.

  • Being around, touching, or working with infected poultry, such as visiting poultry farms or live-animal markets
  • Avoid domestic and wild poultry
  • Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
  • Bite from an infected rodent
  • Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
  • Avoid rodents and areas where they live
  • Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

  • Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Russia, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

  • Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
  • Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
  • Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
  • Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Russia. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

  • Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
  • Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
  • Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
  • Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
  • Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

  • FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
  • Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
  • 2-undecanone
  • Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

  • Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
  • Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Russia include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

  • Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
  • Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
  • Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
  • If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
  • Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
  • Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
  • Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

  • Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
  • Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
  • Do not dive into shallow water.
  • Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
  • Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
  • To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

  • Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
  • Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
  • Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
  • Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
  • If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

  • Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
  • Go to a doctor right away.
  • Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

  • Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
  • If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
  • Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

  • Use latex condoms correctly.
  • Do not inject drugs.
  • Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
  • Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
  • If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

  • Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
  • Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
  • Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
  • Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Russia’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
  • Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

  • Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
  • Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
  • Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

  • Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
  • Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
  • Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
  • Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
  • Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
  • Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

  • Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
  • Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
  • Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

  • Wear a seatbelt at all times.
  • Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
  • When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
  • Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Russia may be poor.
  • Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
  • Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
  • If you choose to drive a vehicle in Russia, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
  • Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
  • Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
  • Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
  • If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
  • Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

  • Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
  • Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
  • Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
  • Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

  • Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
  • Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
  • Follow all local laws and social customs.
  • Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
  • Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
  • If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Russia for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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  • Passports, travel and living abroad
  • Travel abroad
  • Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Russia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact Russia’s embassy or consulate in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Russia.

Testing at airports

For passengers leaving Russia who require a test for their next destination, express COVID-19 tests can be carried out at some airports. In Moscow, express COVID-19 tests are available in Sheremetyevo , Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports. They may need to be booked in advance and pre-paid. In St Petersburg, express COVID-19 tests can be carried out at Pulkovo airport .

Passport validity requirements

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your visa expires.

You cannot enter Russia using a visa in an expired passport, even if you’re also carrying a new, valid passport. You will need to apply for a new visa or visa transfer.

Sign your passport before you travel if it was issued after January 2017. Some British nationals have been denied entry for not signing their passports.

Dual nationals and passports

If you have dual British-Russian nationality and travel to Russia to renew your Russian passport, it may take up to 4 months to get your new passport. You will not be able to leave Russia on your British passport if you entered Russia on your Russian passport. You will have to stay in Russia until your new Russian passport is issued.

Children born overseas, outside of Russia, and added to their parents’ Russian passports may need their own passport to leave Russia. Check with the Russian Embassy in the UK before you travel.

Visa requirements

You must get a visa before you travel. See the Russia Visa Centre for further information on how to apply for a visa, including processing time and fast track services.

If you live in the UK and are aged 12 years or over, you must go to a visa application centre in London, Manchester or Edinburgh to submit biometric data (fingerprints).

If you’re a British national with a Russian national in your immediate family, you can apply for a multi-entry private visa for up to one year. Check what you need for your stay with the Russian Embassy in the UK .

The Russian authorities strictly enforce visa and immigration laws. Before you travel, check:

  • your visa details are correct
  • the terms and conditions of your visa

Overstaying your visa

If you overstay your visa, you may face fines, court hearings, deportation or a ban from re-entry.

Immigration cards

You must sign an immigration card at passport control every time you enter Russia.

Immigration officials keep one half. They return the other half to you. You must keep it and show it at passport control when you leave Russia or your departure could be delayed.

You will need to show your immigration card when exchanging money or when checking into you accommodation.

Questioning on arrival in Russia

There have been intensive security checks on foreign nationals at the Russian border. Some British and dual Russian/British nationals have been stopped and questioned, often about political views and contacts with Ukraine or Ukrainians. Fingerprints and DNA swabs have also been taken. Security staff sometimes ask for access to data on phones and other electronic devices.

Some visitors have been held for several hours for identity checks, but are then usually allowed to continue their journeys. Some British Nationals have also been refused entry to Russia. You should:

  • tell family, friends or colleagues about your travel plans and explain that the arrival process might take longer than usual
  • stay calm and avoid confrontation if you are stopped

Registering accommodation

You must register with the local authorities if you’re staying anywhere for more than 7 working days. Your hotel will do this automatically. If you’re staying with someone, check that they’re doing this. You must show evidence of your registration at passport control when you leave Russia. Police also carry out routine checks. If you cannot show your registration and passport, you may be fined.

Travelling between Russia and Belarus

You will need to go through immigration control if you fly to Russia from Belarus or from Belarus to Russia. Contact the nearest Russian embassy or consulate to check if you need a transit visa.

There are no immigration checks on the land border between Russia and Belarus. This means you will not be able to have your passport stamped and will therefore be entering the country illegally. If you’re planning to drive to Russia, you will need to drive through a different country.

Contact your train or tour operator before booking your travel to make sure you enter Russia through an immigration checkpoint. Contact your nearest Russian embassy or consulate for advice on rail travel.

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Russia guide .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Russia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Money or goods

You can import and export foreign currency up to 10,000 US dollars (or equivalent) without declaring it.

You cannot export foreign currency over 10,000 US dollars (or equivalent), even if you declare it.

You must complete a customs declaration form if you import over 10,000 US dollars (or equivalent) or certain types of goods, including:

  • electrical items
  • valuable musical instruments

Electronic items

You must get a licence before you travel if you want to import certain electronic items, such as GPS instruments. Check with the Russian Embassy in the UK before your travel.

Antiques and art

There are strict regulations on the export and import of antiques, artworks and historical items. You must get an export permit from the Ministry of Culture and declare each item when you leave. It is illegal to import or export items without a permit.

Customs declaration forms

Make sure your customs declaration form is stamped by a customs official when you enter. If not, your money or items may be confiscated when you leave or you could be fined.

Keep receipts of any purchases in case you need to show them when you leave Russia.

Accessing money in Russia

The Russian economy is unstable. This could make access to goods and services difficult.

Mastercard and Visa are not operating in Russia. Mastercard and Visa cards issued outside Russia will not work at Russian shops or ATMs. Cards issued inside Russia will work in, but not outside, Russia. You may not be able to access your money through Russian banks or make payments to Russian businesses with non-Russian credit or debit cards.

For all other credit or debit cards, let your provider know you’re travelling to Russia to avoid your card being blocked for anti-fraud reasons.

Make sure that you have enough money to cover your stay.

Buying Russian roubles

It is illegal to pay directly for general transactions in Russia using foreign currency. It is difficult to get Russian roubles in high street banks in the UK. If you want to buy roubles in Russia, you must take US dollars or euros to exchange.

Only change money at banks, hotels and exchange bureaus. It is illegal to change money from street traders.

The British government has sanctioned several major Russian banks. This means British nationals are banned from making funds available to these banks. See more information about Russian sanctions and what this means for British nationals.

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Get Vaccinated Before You Travel

It’s important to plan ahead to get the shots required for all countries you and your family plan to visit.

Family of three in an airport waiting

Protect your child and family when traveling in the United States or abroad by:

  • Getting the shots required for all countries you and your family plan to visit during your trip
  • Making sure you and your family are up-to-date on all routine U.S. vaccines
  • Staying informed about travel notices and alerts and how they can affect your family’s travel plans

Avoid getting sick or coming back home and spreading the disease to others.

Vaccinate at least a month before you travel

See your doctor when you start to plan your trip abroad. It’s important to do this well in advance.

  • Your body needs time to build up immunity.
  • You may need several weeks to get all the doses of the vaccine.
  • Your primary doctor may not stock travel vaccines. Visit a travel medical clinic .
  • You’ll need time to prepare for your pre-travel appointment .
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U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia - MOS

Please follow the steps below before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia

Step 1: Register your appointment online

You need to register your appointment online. Registering your appointment provides us with the information we need to return your passport to you after your interview. Registration is free. Click the “Register” button below to register.

If you want to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you will be able to do so after you register your appointment.

Register >>

Step 2: Get a medical exam in Russia

As soon as you receive your appointment date, you must schedule a medical exam in Russia. Click the “Medical Exam Instructions” button below for a list of designated doctor’s offices in Russia. Please schedule and attend a medical exam with one of these doctors before your interview.

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 3: Complete your pre-interview checklist

It is important that you bring all required original documents to your interview. We’ve created a checklist that will tell you what to bring. Please print the checklist below and bring it to your interview along with the listed documents.

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review interview guidelines

Read our interview guidelines to learn about any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Interview Guidelines >>

Medical Exam Instructions

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination prior to the issuance of a visa. Only a physician accredited by the U.S. Embassy can perform this exam. It is your responsibility to schedule a medical exam with one of the doctors listed below before your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.

Approved physicians

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM)

Appointment should be scheduled by phone: 7(495) 797-8723 and 8(800) 700-8723 To register for medical examination electronically please follow the web link: https://russia.iom.int/health-assessment-immigration-purposes Appointment hours: Mon-Thu 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.; Fri 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Cost of medical examination: not higher than the ruble equivalent of $210 (adults) and $150 (children under 15 years old).

Items to bring to your medical examination

The doctor will need the following items to complete the medical exam forms:

  • Your visa interview letter
  • Your passport
  • Five (5) recently taken passport-sized color photographs,
  • A copy of your immunization records
  • DS-260 Confirmation page

Any medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician.

During the medical exam

The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, and chest X-ray and blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older). The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants two years of age and older. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available here .

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available here . You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements online.

After the medical exam

When your examination is completed, the doctor will either provide you with exam results in a sealed envelope, or send them directly to the U.S. Consulate. IF GIVEN AN ENVELOPE TO CARRY TO YOUR INTERVIEW, DO NOT OPEN THIS ENVELOPE . Instead, bring it to your visa interview.

Any x-rays taken will be given to you. You DO NOT need to bring the x-rays to your visa interview unless you suffer from tuberculosis (TB). However, you must carry the x-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. The medical report must be less than six months old when you enter the United States as an immigrant.

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Pre-Interview checklist

Please use the list below to determine the items that every applicant must bring to the immigrant visa interview:

  • A copy of your NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).
  • Unexpired passport valid for six months beyond your intended date of entry to the United States and a photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located).
  • Two (2) color passport-size photographs of each person applying for a visa (5 cm x 5 cm, or 2 inch x 2 inch). Please review our online photo requirements .
  • Confirmation page from the Form DS-260 Application for an Immigrant Visa you submitted online at ceac.state.gov/iv .
  • Your original birth certificate and a photocopy. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russian.
  • Medical examination results in a sealed envelope (if the physician gives you these results) .
  • Original or certified copies of birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying) .

Applicants who fall into any category listed in italics below should bring these additional documents:

For family-based visa applications:

  • The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s.
  • Proof of your U.S. petitioner’s status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card).
  • Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails).

If you are married: Your original marriage certificate and a photocopy. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russian.

If you were previously married: Your original divorce or spouse’s death certificate and a photocopy. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russian.

If you are older than 16 years of age: The original police certificate from your country of current residence and countries of previous residence. The police certificate must include all of your current and past legal names. If these three items are all true, you must bring a more recent police certificate to the interview:

  • You are older than 16 years;
  • You obtained a police certificate more than one year ago; and
  • You still live in the country that issued the police certificate.

For employment-based visa applications: Letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.

If you have ever been convicted of a crime: Court and criminal records, English translation and a photocopy.

If you have served in any country’s military: Military records and a photocopy. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russian.

If you are adopted: Adoption papers or custody documents and a photocopy. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russian.

If you are the petitioner’s stepchild: The original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, and a photocopy along with divorce records for any previous marriages of either parent. English translations are required only if your documents are in a language other than Russia

Interview Guidelines

Sending documents to the U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia

If the U.S. Embassy/Consulate requested additional information or documentation from you, you must submit those documents at a Pony Express Document Drop-off Locations. This web page explains how to submit your documents for delivery to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please visit ustraveldocs.com . There may be a significant wait before the next available appointment, so please attempt to attend the date already assigned. For some family-based and employment preference visa categories, a visa became available within the month you have been scheduled by NVC. DV applicants should be aware that visas are numerically limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year. There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Please carefully consult the Visa Bulletin before you decide to reschedule you interview.

Please note: You need to register your original NVC/KCC appointment online before you can reschedule it. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned appointment.

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy Russia must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be unable to enter the Embassy. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview. If you leave items in your car, be sure to put them in the trunk and lock your car; do not leave any personal items in view in the passenger compartment.

Accompanying persons

The following persons may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

  • Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.
  • Petitioners may accompany the applicant.

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the waiting room or to their interview.

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, please be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview.

All fees may be paid in U.S. dollars or in rubles. We accept cash and credit cards only. Please note that if you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded. A complete list of fees can be found here .

Do not make travel plans outside of U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia

If your visa is approved, we will keep your passport at the Embassy while we prepare your immigration packet and print a visa for your passport. We will return your passport to you later via courier services only. If you have to travel within Russia while your passport is still with us, please make sure you have a valid picture ID other than your passport.

After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can make a decision on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.

If more information is needed

Sometimes a consular officer is unable to make a decision on a visa application because he/she needs to review additional documents or the case requires further administrative processing. When additional documents are requested , the consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents. The letter will include instructions on how to send those documents to the Embassy.

Administrative processing takes additional time after the interview. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days. However, the timing varies based on the circumstances of each case. Before inquiring about the status of administrative processing, please wait at least 60 days after your interview.

What happens after visa approval

Passport, Visa, and Sealed Immigrant Packet – We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. Please review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. We will also give you a sealed envelope containing documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time. Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you; do not put it in your checked luggage.  If you receive X-rays during your medical examination, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities.

When You Should Travel – You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is either three or six months from the date of your medical exam. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Unless they are eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act, children who are issued a visa before turning 21 years of age must enter the United States before their 21st birthday to avoid losing their immigrant status.

Getting a Green Card – Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in your visa application form. This very important document proves you have permission to reside in the United States. If you plan to travel outside the U.S. before your green card arrives: Please consult USCIS’s and CBP’s websites for rules about what documents you need to re-enter the country. We also recommend you check with the airline to ensure you are in compliance with their rules. Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues – Children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school in the United States. Therefore, we recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. Additionally, if your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with the child’s other parent, we recommend that you bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custodial papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will likely need these papers (translated into English) in the United States for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants – Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication “ Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants” online.

Diversity Visa Applicants - Additional Information

If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions apply to you. Please schedule and attend a medical examination prior to your visa interview; enroll in the required courier service; and gather the required documents.

Below are additional instructions that apply only to DV applicants.

Bring to your interview

In addition to the documents listed on the Pre-Interview Checklist in this package, DV applicants should also bring the following items to your visa interview:

  • Appointment information printed from the “Entrant Status Check” on the E-DV website .
  • Documents showing that you have either a qualifying high school education OR have two years of qualifying work experience in the last five years immediately prior to application (for the principal applicant only; more information is available online ). Also bring any documents shwoing education beyond high school.
  • Payment in cash of the $330 Diversity Visa Application Fee for each applicant.  

Review your DV Lottery entry

Prior to your visa interview, we recommend that you review the data on your initial E-DV entry. On your initial E-DV application, you must have correctly entered your marital status. If you are legally married you must have listed your spouse, even if you are currently separated from him/her (unless your spouse is a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident).

Additionally, you must have listed ALL of your living children who are unmarried and under 21 years old. This includes your natural children, your spouse’s children, or children you have formally adopted in accordance with the laws of your country.

Failure to have listed an existing spouse or children at the time of your entry in the Diversity Visa lottery will result in the denial of your visa and visas for your family. Any fees paid to the U.S. government in support of your visa application(s) are nonrefundable. If you failed to include a child who had already been born, or a spouse to whom you were married when you entered the lottery, you should not proceed with the visa application. You can review the eligibility requirements online .

Last Updated: 9/25/2019

Contact Information

Consular Section Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok N0.8 121099 Moscow, Russia

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Diversity visa instructions After your interview Frequently asked questions Where to find Civil Documents

Interview Preparation Video

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Travelling with a pet

The United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced changes to the import requirements for dogs entering the United States . These changes will come into effect on August 1, 2024 and will impact dogs travelling from Canada to the United States. The CFIA is currently in the process of reviewing these requirements. Further information and guidance will be provided as soon as possible.

New import conditions for personal pet dogs and assistance dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies starting September 28, 2023

Personal pet dogs and assistance dogs from countries at high-risk for dog rabies will require an import permit issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency before travelling to Canada.

If you're planning on bringing your dog into Canada from September 28, 2023 onwards, prepare in advance and learn more about the import process .

Pets must meet specific requirements when travelling to Canada or another country. It is your responsibility to review all the requirements for your situation.

Some requirements must be completed at specific times and if not completed correctly or on time your pet may not be eligible to travel and be refused entry.

As soon as you know your travel details, contact your local veterinarian to assist with the pet travel process. Requirements could include obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, testing, or administering medications.

Only dogs, cats and ferrets qualify as pets by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Check requirements for other animals if you're travelling with a non-traditional pet.

Travelling to Canada from another country (import requirements)

Requirements for bringing an animal into Canada apply to the following situation:

  • animals entering Canada permanently
  • animals in transit through Canada on their way to a final destination
  • animals entering Canada for a temporary visit
  • Canadian animals returning to Canada

Travelling from Canada to another country (export requirements)

The country you're travelling to may have requirements your pet must meet before they can enter the country. Export requirements are determined by each country and can change frequently. Every time you plan to travel with your pet, it is your responsibility to check the requirements and allow enough time to get your pet ready to travel.

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Up-to-Date Info: To find the latest CDC information on this topic go to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

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  • Description: Updated Feb. 7, 2022 Know the Difference between a Vaccine Record and a Vaccine Card Vaccine Record (sometimes called immunization records) provide a history of all the vaccines you received. This record may be required for certain jobs, travel abroad, or a school registration. Vaccine Card is specific to COVID-19 vaccination and is given to you when you get your COVID-19 vaccine. More ▼ -->
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A near deserted Red Square on Thursday, as strict measures came into force in Moscow

Russia resorts to Covid restrictions as vaccine hesitancy drives record deaths

Schools and non-essential services closed in Moscow, as Ukraine also brings in new restrictions

  • Coronavirus – latest updates
  • See all our coronavirus coverage

Russia and Ukraine are enforcing new coronavirus restrictions at the regional level and pleading with their citizens to get vaccinated, in a sign that both countries have failed to get to grips with rampant outbreaks driven by low vaccination rates.

The restrictions are a grudging effort that authorities say will save lives, as both countries search for an answer to vaccine hesitancy. About 30% of Russians and just 16% of Ukrainians have been fully vaccinated.

Amid a “worst-case scenario” surge of cases, authorities in Moscow shut down non-essential services for 11 days on Thursday, two days before the start of a week-long nationwide paid holiday announced by President Vladimir Putin last weekend. Schools and many offices have been closed in the capital, and restaurants told to offer a takeaway service only.

The Russian army announced plans to set up a coronavirus hospital in the Moscow region. The “specialised hospital” would be staffed by “brigades of doctors and nurses,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement quoted by state media.

The latest wave of infections in Russia has put the Kremlin in a difficult position. It has had to admit to a failure at the national level at halting the spread of the virus but also wants to distance itself from new lockdown measures, which are extremely unpopular among ordinary Russians.

Records are being broken on an almost daily basis in Russia and Ukraine. On Thursday, Russia reported new one-day highs of 1,159 deaths and 40,000 infections. Ukraine reported a record 734 coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday, and 576 deaths on Wednesday.

Officials in Ukraine say some people who are required to get vaccinated, such as teachers, have sought to avoid the jab by buying fake vaccination certificates. Kyiv’s local government said it would require residents to present vaccine certificates to use restaurants, gyms, and public transport.

The health minister, Viktor Lyashko, has called a surge in hospital admissions “rampant”. “I call on all of you to get your vaccine,” he said during a briefing on Wednesday. “We can and must stop these sad statistics.”

Under pressure on Thursday, the Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, denied there were plans for compulsory vaccinations in Russia and also denied reports that the Kremlin would relaunch its fledgling pro-vaccination media campaign. Just over 30% of Russians have received two doses of one of Russia’s domestically produced vaccines, according to government data, and according to polls nearly half of the population has ruled out getting jabbed. The Kremlin’s initial target was 60% fully vaccinated by the end of summer.

“Until we attain our goal and achieve the public immunity threshold, we will deem all our efforts to be insufficient,” Peskov said during a telephone briefing with journalists. “These conditions are very simple: an unvaccinated person may die, an unvaccinated person will find one’s life uncomfortable. Harsh conditions are dictated by the circumstances.”

Enforcement of the new lockdowns has largely fallen to regional officials, who have taken on the unpopular task of temporarily closing local businesses or reintroducing the use of unpopular QR codes that were described last year as a “cybergulag.”

“The situation in Moscow is developing according to the worst-case scenario,” the Moscow mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, wrote on his blog as he announced the anti-coronavirus restrictions last week. Advising Muscovites to go to the park or spend a few days at a country house, he wrote: “Let’s relax a bit and we’ll help to save the lives and health of many people. And then the city can get back to normal life.”

Past restrictions have been criticised by Moscow’s small business owners who have lost revenue from customers while seeing little financial support from the government.

Locals in Moscow flocked to bars and restaurants on Wednesday evening before closures took place, while others planned to travel to resorts to avoid staying in Moscow during the impromptu holiday. Cities around Russia, including St Petersburg and Sochi, have braced themselves for an influx of Muscovites hoping to avoid the restrictions. Areas of Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, have set up checkpoints for vaccination certificates or negative PCR tests.

Under the guidelines, schools in Moscow will be closed, restaurants and cafes will be limited to providing takeout orders, offices will be largely restricted and most in-person government services will be suspended.

Putin this week also confirmed a decision to ban restaurants and bars nationwide from staying open between the hours of 11pm and 7am.

Earlier this week, the head of the Russian laboratory that developed the Sputnik V vaccine said most Russians who claimed they had been vaccinated and then fell ill had bought fake vaccine certificates to avoid getting the jab. “People spend money, and then they get sick and die for their own money,” said Alexander Gintsburg, the head of the Gamaleya centre. “They deceive themselves.”

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: What's happening with conflict right now?

At least 16 people were killed in a Russian missile strike on a DIY store in Kharkiv city this weekend - read about this in our overview of what's happening in Ukraine below, and we'll be back with live updates on Tuesday.

Monday 27 May 2024 08:11, UK

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  • The big picture: What you need to know about the war right now
  • Number killed rising after Russian attack on DIY store kills more than 40 people | 16 confirmed dead
  • Eyewitness: Russia producing shells three times faster than Ukraine's allies
  • We'll be back with live updates on Tuesday

 We'll be back with live updates on the war tomorrow - but for now, as always, we start the week by taking a few steps back and giving an overview of where the conflict is at right now.

Conflicting claims on the second front

Kharkiv remains a major focus after Russia opened a new front on the northeastern border. 

It has been the subject of conflicting reports, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying Ukraine had secured "combat control", while the Russian ministry of defence claimed its forces were advancing.

The British defence ministry said Russian gains in the northeast had not been joined up, allowing Ukraine to contain Moscow's momentum.

It assessed Vladimir Putin's attempt to create a buffer zone between Ukraine and Russia had been unsuccessful thus far and further gains were unlikely in the coming week.

But this will be little comfort to those living under the constant threat of Russian shells in the region.

An attack on a DIY store in Kharkiv city this weekend killed at least 16 people, injured more than 40, and the search is still on for others.

A 12-year-old girl was among the dead.

The US announced a new $275m package of weapons and equipment for Ukraine to help it repel Russia's assault in the Kharkiv region.

Ukrainian troops have been forced to train without firing ammunition due to shortages. 

Analysis shared with Sky News revealed the scale of the challenge facing Kyiv, with Russia producing artillery shells around three times faster than Ukraine's Western allies and for about a quarter of the cost. 

Across the year, that means Russian factories are forecast to manufacture 3.2 million more shells than European nations and the US combined.

Peace summit

Mr Zelenskyy directly called on his US and Chinese counterparts to join his latest summit for peace in Ukraine. 

Speaking from Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine on Friday, he announced a "global peace summit", co-hosted by Switzerland, starting on 15 June. He claimed 80 countries had already confirmed their attendance.

Putin's 'freeze'

Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a ceasefire that recognises current battlefield lines, four Russian sources told the Reuters news agency. 

The narrative is widely viewed as a strategy to consolidate Ukrainian land under Russian control, with little or no guarantees Mr Putin wouldn't use it to launch another attack on what remains of Ukraine. Russian propogandists have previously advocated reducing Ukraine to the size of the Lviv region in the west.

Nuclear drills

Russia's defence ministry said it had begun a round of drills involving tactical nuclear weapons in response to remarks by senior Western officials about the possibility of deeper involvement in the war. 

According to the ministry's statement, the first stage of the new drills included nuclear-capable Kinzhal and Iskander missiles in southern Russian regions.

Ukraine claimed to have destroyed the last Russian warship armed with cruise missiles that was stationed on the occupied peninsula. It said a long-range attack destroyed the Russian minesweeping navy vessel Tsiklon in Sevastopol.

Vladimir Putin has arrived in Uzbekistan ahead of formal talks on Monday.

The Russian president laid a wreath at a monument to Uzbekistan's independence in the capital, Tashkent.

He is expected to hold formal talks with President Shavkay Mirziyoyev that are expected to focus on deepening the countries' relations.

The pair spoke in what were described by the Kremlin as informal talks on Sunday.

The visit is President Putin's third foreign trip since being inaugurated for a fifth term in May. 

He first went to China , where he expressed appreciation for China's proposals for talks to end the Ukraine conflict, and later to Belarus. 

For context: Now separated from Russia by Kazakhstan in central Asia, Uzbekistan was once part of the Soviet Union.

However, the invasion of Ukraine is believed to have accelerated a process of reducing Russian influence in the country.

In the two-plus years since February 2022, Uzbekistan has also boosted its relations with the EU. 

Fighting continues along the Kharkiv frontline as Russian forces try to overwhelm defenders.

In an update on Sunday evening, Ukraine's armed forces said its troops were seeking to repel attacks and in places have mounted offensives.

The General Staff said on social media: "The Russian aggressor is trying to use superiority in manpower and equipment and air support. 

"Ukrainian soldiers are giving battle to the enemy, and in some directions they themselves are carrying out effective assault actions to improve the stability of the defence and restore positions."

Twelve clashes were reported in the direction of Kharkiv, the update said, as well as near the villages of Lyptsi and Ternova.

"The situation is under control," the statement said.

Ukrainians gathered outside the US embassy in Kyiv as part of mounting demands to remove restrictions on where Ukraine can use Western weapons.

Many NATO countries who provide military aid to Ukraine currently do so on the condition that it is not used to strike targets inside Russia. 

The US and Germany in particular have been strict on this issue, likely out of concern about escalation with Moscow.

Other countries - the UK and Sweden, for example - have confirmed or suggested that Ukraine can use their weapons to hit targets across the border.

In Kyiv today, activists held up placards saying "let Ukraine strike back" and "remove the restriction". 

The US will participate in Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace summit next month, an official has said.

It comes after the Ukrainian president called on America's President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping to attend the event.

However the US official did not say who would attend or at what level.

The summit, co-hosted by Switzerland, starts on 15 June and, according to President Zelenskyy, 80 countries have already confirmed their attendance.

Battling against the odds, the Ukrainians say they have become skilled at trying to make every round count.

"Often, with just one, two or three shells, we can completely destroy a target," said Senior Lieutenant Kostiantin, an artillery battery commander with the 57th Brigade.

His troops are fighting against a new Russian invasion into the Kharkiv region, in the northeast of Ukraine.

"We have to keep holding the Russians back… and make every metre of land they try to take cost them hundreds of lives."

Watch this report from our defence and security editor, Deborah Haynes :

Crowds of people marched through the Georgian capital, Tblisi, today to mark the country's Independence Day - and also to protest against the government's divisive "foreign agents" law.

The legislation is seen by some as threatening press and civic freedoms and there are concerns it's modelled on laws used by Vladimir Putin in neighbouring Russia.

Hundreds of people walked through the city on Sunday, as the EU anthem played. 

Many held white and red Georgian flags, others the blue and yellow of the EU or the stars and stripes of the US.

There was also a military parade in the city centre as part of the celebrations, attended by Georgia's president and prime minister.

The pair are at odds over the "foreign agents" bill after President Salome Zourabichvili vetoed the bill.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on social media congratulating the Georgian people on their Independence Day.

"Both our nations know all too well that freedom and independence are won rather than granted," he said on X.

"I wish the Georgian people to prosper and strengthen their statehood and ties will all other free nations. I also wish magnificent Georgian culture, identity, and hospitality to multiply over the years." 

The parents of a Ukrainian girl who died after a Russian missile strike have bid goodbye to their daughter in emotional scenes at her funeral.

Just five years old, Zlata Rostochil was seriously wounded in an attack at the end of April and later died.

Today, her mother Nadiia and father Vyacheslav knelt beside her body during the memorial service in Odesa. 

Other mourners stood solemnly behind them holding candles.

Russian forces are making "maximum efforts" to break through Ukraine's defences, amid fighting on the frontline near Kharkiv.

Kyiv's armed forces said there have been 83 clashes with the enemy on Sunday.

"Ukrainian troops are taking measures to maintain positions and destroy the offensive potential of the enemy," the General Staff said in an update on social media.

It said there were "no major changes" in the direction of Kharkiv but Russian troops continue to mount offensives around Vovchansk city and the village of Lyptsi.

Is National Service a good idea?

Rishi Sunak has talked a lot this week about security in Europe and the need to invest in defence - and then he announced that he would bring back National Service.

Our military analyst Sean Bell broke down the announcement on Sky News earlier...

Be the first to get Breaking News

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travel vaccination record

IMAGES

  1. Covid Vaccine Card: What You Need to Know

    travel vaccination record

  2. Vaccine passport: How to prove you got a COVID-19 shot for travel

    travel vaccination record

  3. Printable immunization records: Fill out & sign online

    travel vaccination record

  4. Immunization Record and History

    travel vaccination record

  5. Vaccination Record Card

    travel vaccination record

  6. International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP

    travel vaccination record

COMMENTS

  1. Vaccination Records

    The Vaccination Records: Finding, Interpreting, and Recording. Vaccination records (sometimes called immunization records) provide a history of all the vaccines you or your child received. This record may be required for certain jobs, travel abroad, or school registration.

  2. International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP)

    Yellow fever vaccination (travel) clinics administer yellow fever vaccine and issue ICVPs to vaccine recipients. The ICVP must be validated with the Uniform Stamp of the center where the vaccine was given. ... If transcribing the record of a meningococcal vaccine administered by another clinician in the past 5 years (3 years for polysaccharide ...

  3. Your CDC COVID-19 vaccination record and vaccination card

    Updated July 12, 2022 Know the Difference between a Vaccine Record and a Vaccine Card Vaccine Record (sometimes called immunization records) provide a history of all the vaccines you received. This record may be required for certain jobs, travel abroad, or a school registration. Vaccine Card is specific to COVID-19 vaccination and is given to ...

  4. How Do I Show Proof of Vaccination When Traveling ...

    United Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways and others have all rolled out varying technologies that allow passengers to upload proof of vaccination before a flight. In July, Clear, the ...

  5. Vaccines for Travelers

    Vaccines for Travelers. Vaccines protect travelers from serious diseases. Depending on where you travel, you may come into contact with diseases that are rare in the United States, like yellow fever. Some vaccines may also be required for you to travel to certain places. Getting vaccinated will help keep you safe and healthy while you're ...

  6. How to prove your vaccination status when traveling internationally

    If you can't get a vaccine passport like the E.U.'s digital green certificate, you can always try to use the vaccination record you have. That's right: the CDC card you were given when you ...

  7. PDF Your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record and Vaccination Card

    Vaccine Record (sometimes called immunization records) provide a history of all the vaccines you received. This record. may be required for certain jobs, travel abroad, or a school registration. Vaccine Card. is specic to COVID-19 vaccination and is given to you when you get your COVID-19 vaccine. W h a t Y o u Ne e d t o K n o w

  8. What to Know About Testing and Vaccine Requirements for Travel

    You do not need to be vaccinated for any domestic travel. Hawaii is the only state that requires a negative test for travel. In Hawaii, the test must be administered within 72 hours of arrival and ...

  9. You've been vaccinated. So what should you do with your vaccine record

    Every time a vaccine is administered, the provider records it with the state's immunization registry. "Those flimsy pieces of paper aren't the only record of your vaccination status," Adalja said.

  10. Need travel vaccines? Plan ahead.

    Find out which travel vaccines you may need to help you stay healthy on your trip. Before Travel. Make sure you are up-to-date on all of your routine vaccines. Routine vaccinations protect you from infectious diseases such as measles that can spread quickly in groups of unvaccinated people. Many diseases prevented by routine vaccination are not ...

  11. Covid Vaccine Card: What You Need to Know

    A blank Covid-19 vaccination record card; a filled-in version has become many people's prized possession. ... For the moment, airlines are not requiring vaccinations for travel, but some ...

  12. Accessing My Vaccination Certificate and Vaccination Certificate QR

    To print the QR code, select Print, located under the QR code. To change the pin for accessing your vaccination certificate, select Change QR Code PIN. Follow the same steps as you would to initially set up your QR Code PIN. Your QR code is ready to be scanned! When scanned by an external user, the QR code will generate a link to an external site.

  13. Check your COVID-19 vaccine record

    Check your COVID-19 vaccine record. Use this service to see: when you had a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination; which vaccine you had; where you had it; You can also report any side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine. Before you start. You can use this service if you: have had a COVID-19 vaccination in England; are not part of a vaccine trial ...

  14. Travel vaccination advice

    Travel vaccination advice. If you're planning to travel outside the UK, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the serious diseases found in other parts of the world. Vaccinations are available to protect you against infections such as yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A. In the UK, the NHS routine immunisation (vaccination) schedule ...

  15. Update on Change to U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination

    Last Updated: May 4, 2023. The Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. This means starting May 12, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers will no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with ...

  16. Travel vaccinations

    In Canada, the vaccination is only given at designated yellow fever vaccination centres. Immunization records. Download the free CANImmunize app from the iOS App Store or Google Play, and manage your family's vaccination records on the go. Carry copies of your family's immunization records while you travel and leave the originals at home.

  17. Russia

    Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis; Consider vaccination for travelers. Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets

  18. Entry requirements

    Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your visa expires. You cannot enter Russia using a visa in an expired passport, even if you're also carrying a new, valid passport. You ...

  19. Travel Vaccines to Protect Your Family

    But some multiple-dose vaccines (like hepatitis A) can still give you partial protection after just one dose. Some can also be given on an "accelerated schedule," meaning doses are given in a shorter period of time. Before you travel, find out which vaccines you and your family will need. Plan ahead to get the shots required for all ...

  20. U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia

    A copy of your immunization records; DS-260 Confirmation page; Any medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician. ... However, you must carry the x-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. The medical report must be less than six months old when you ...

  21. Travelling with a pet

    Requirements could include obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, testing, or administering medications. Only dogs, cats and ferrets qualify as pets by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Check requirements for other animals if you're travelling with a non-traditional pet.

  22. Getting your CDC COVID-19 vaccination record card

    Updated Feb. 7, 2022 Know the Difference between a Vaccine Record and a Vaccine Card Vaccine Record (sometimes called immunization records) provide a history of all the vaccines you received. This record may be required for certain jobs, travel abroad, or a school registration. Vaccine Card is specific to COVID-19 vaccination and is given to ...

  23. Russia resorts to Covid restrictions as vaccine hesitancy drives record

    Russia: number of coronavirus deaths per day. Records are being broken on an almost daily basis in Russia and Ukraine. On Thursday, Russia reported new one-day highs of 1,159 deaths and 40,000 ...

  24. HPV vaccines prevent cancer in men as well as women, new research suggests

    HPV vaccines prevent cancer in men as well as women, new research suggests By CARLA K. JOHNSON , AP Medical Writer May 23, 2024 FILE - A doctor holds a vial of the human papillomavirus (HPV ...

  25. Ukraine war latest: Armed ship destroyed in Crimea, Kyiv says

    Ukraine says it hit and destroyed the Russian missile ship Tsiklon in Crimea over the weekend. Meanwhile, analysts say Moscow is seeking to draw out Kyiv's forces - as Putin makes another ...

  26. National Professional Officer

    Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website.