Moving abroad from Russia long-term: why Vietnam is now easier than Thailand and India

If you are choosing where to move for a long time — for the winter, for a year, or "until things become clear" — the first question is not about the sea or prices. It is about how long you can legally live in the country and how often you will have to leave it. On that measure, Vietnam is now noticeably easier than its neighbours.

In short: why Vietnam

• You can live there all year: an e-visa gives up to 90 days, and after you leave the country you get the next one
• The visa is issued online, no embassy visit needed
• For trips of 45 days or less, Russian citizens need no visa at all
• Living costs are lower than in Thailand: according to Numbeo, everyday prices are about a third lower and rent almost 30% lower
• You can withdraw cash with a Russian Mir card at some ATMs

Thailand: only 30 days since 15 September 2026

Thailand was long the top choice for wintering: Russians were let in visa-free for 60 days. From 15 September 2026 that period was cut to 30 days. You can stay another 30 days, but only for a fee at an immigration office. Visa-free entries over land borders are now limited to two per calendar year — the Thai authorities say openly that this is aimed at visa runs.

Thailand does have a long-stay visa — the five-year DTV. But it requires at least 500,000 baht in your account, and it does not suit everyone.

India: no more than 180 days a year

An Indian one-year or five-year tourist e-visa allows no more than 180 days in the country per calendar year — this is written in the rules on India's official visa portal. On top of that, a single stay is limited to 90 days in a row, and the other half of the year you have to live somewhere else.

Living in India long-term needs a different visa, such as a business visa. It requires an invitation from an Indian company and is noticeably harder and more expensive to get. India is wonderful for a trip of a month or two, and we do arrange Indian visas. But you cannot live there all year on a tourist visa.

Vietnam: how people live here all year

The scheme is simple and legal. A Vietnamese e-visa is issued for up to 90 days. On the day it expires you cross into neighbouring Cambodia or Laos and come back the same day on a new visa. This trip is called a visa run.

There is an important detail. A visa cannot be extended without leaving Vietnam, and you cannot get a new one while you are in the country either: it is only issued after you leave. So people who get their visas one at a time apply only after leaving on each visa run and wait several hours on the other side of the border for the answer. And fast processing costs more than standard.

Russians need no visa for Laos for up to 30 days. Cambodia does require one — you can get it from us in advance.

A one-year set of visas: arrange it once, live calmly all year

While you are not yet in Vietnam — in Russia or any other country — you can get four 90-day visas at once, so that each one starts on the day the previous one ends. That is almost a year of living in Vietnam with the visas already in hand.

• A visa run is just a border crossing: you leave and come straight back on the next visa, already issued, with no waiting for a decision
• No overpaying for urgent processing
• Your bank account and card work all year — more on that below

The price of the set depends on your dates — our manager will calculate it. Get in touch any way you like:

Contact a manager ▾

A bank account that is not blocked every three months

Almost everyone who lives in Vietnam for more than a couple of months needs a local card: rent, food, taxis and deliveries are paid by QR transfer. A Vietnamese bank opens an account for a foreigner on a passport with a valid visa and makes sure the documents on file are current. When the visa expires, the account and card may be restricted until you bring a new one. With 90-day visas that means a trip to the bank and card interruptions every three months.

With a one-year set you bring all four visas to the bank once, and the bank sees that you are in the country legally for the whole period. The account and card work all year without interruption.

Money: the Mir card works

Vietnam has ATMs that dispense dong from a Russian Mir card at a relatively good rate. These are the ATMs of the Vietnam-Russia bank VRB in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Vung Tau and Hai Phong. For anyone whose money is on Russian cards this is a real advantage: you do not have to carry the whole sum in cash.

The downsides, honestly

• Every 90 days you have to leave the country — a one-day trip
• A visa cannot be extended inside the country. Miss your exit date and you face a fine and trouble at the border
• Shops and cafés do not accept Mir, and VRB ATMs are few and not in every city: there are none on Phu Quoc, in Da Lat or in Mui Ne, for example
• The south is hot all year, the north can have a cool winter — when and where to go
• English is not spoken everywhere; a translation app on your phone helps in daily life

Housing and settling in: where to ask

After moving, everyone has the same first questions: where to rent, which area to choose, how to get a phone plan, where to send the kids. The Telegram chat @vietnam_vungtau helps with finding housing and your first steps in Vietnam. Join in advance — a lot will become clear before you even fly.

Where to start

• Check your passport: it must be valid for at least 6 more months on the date of entry. For a one-year set, allow a margin of a year plus six months
• Going for 45 days or less — you do not need a visa
• Longer — get a 90-day e-visa. Urgent processing from an hour and a half
• Moving for a year — order a one-year set of visas from our manager while you are not yet in Vietnam
• Within 72 hours before landing, fill in the electronic arrival card — it is not a visa, but everyone needs it
• Join the chat about life in Vietnam

Ready? Apply for a Vietnam visa or message our manager — we will help you pick the option that suits you.

Contact a manager ▾