Maria Kuznetsova
Travel Safety & Practicalities Editor
Official rules are just the starting point. What travellers really need is someone who has been there, done that, and can tell them what actually happens at the border at 3am.
About Maria
Maria Kuznetsova is a travel journalist and editor who has covered Russia and the CIS region for international publications since 2014. She has lived in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Kazan, and has crossed Russian borders via air, rail, and land dozens of times. Maria writes the safety guides, practicalities content, and registration/migration card articles on RussianVisa.co. Her work focuses on giving travellers honest, experience-based advice that goes beyond official requirements to cover real-world logistics. She has personally navigated the migration registration process in 8 Russian cities and documented the experience for each.
Professional Experience
Travel Safety & Practicalities Editor
CurrentRussianVisa.co (iVisaOnline)
2022 — Present
Writes and maintains all safety guides, migration registration content, and practical logistics articles. Conducts annual field research trips across Russia.
Senior Travel Correspondent — Russia & CIS
The Telegraph Travel / Freelance
2018 — 2022
Covered travel safety, logistics, and cultural stories across Russia and Central Asia for international publications including The Telegraph, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic Traveller.
Staff Writer — International Desk
Russia Beyond (RBTH)
2014 — 2018
Wrote practical travel guides and cultural explainers for international audiences visiting Russia. Covered visa changes, safety updates, and transportation developments.
Education
BA in Journalism
Moscow State University (MSU) — Faculty of Journalism
International Journalism & Media · Graduated 2014 · Russia
Certificate in Conflict Zone Reporting
Reuters Foundation — Thomson Reuters
Safety & Security for Journalists · Graduated 2017 · United Kingdom
Certifications & Credentials
Certified Travel Writer
British Guild of Travel Writers · 2018
RISC (Reporters Instructed in Saving Colleagues) Certified
RISC Training · 2017
First Aid for Remote Travel
Wilderness Medical Associates International · 2020
Publications & Contributions
Is Russia Safe for Tourists in 2026? An Honest Assessment
RussianVisa.co · 2026
Crossing Russian Borders: A Journalist's Field Guide
Lonely Planet Traveller · 2023
The Trans-Siberian in Winter: Safety, Logistics, and What No Guidebook Tells You
National Geographic Traveller (UK) · 2022
Migration Registration in Russia: The 7-Day Rule Explained
RussianVisa.co · 2026
Safety and Security for Independent Travellers in the CIS Region
International Travel Safety Journal · 2024
Articles on RussianVisa.co
Is it safe to travel to Russia in 2026?
A practical, up-to-date look at what travellers should weigh before visiting Russia in 2026 — government advisories, flights, payments, insurance and on-the-ground basics.
The Russian migration card: what it is and why you must keep it
The migration card is the small paper slip you fill in on arrival in Russia. Losing it causes real problems on departure — here is exactly what it is and how to handle it.
Registration in Russia: the 7-working-day rule explained
Foreign visitors staying beyond a short threshold must be registered at their address. Here is who registers you, the deadline, and what happens if it is missed.
Which countries can travel to Russia visa-free?
Dozens of nationalities can enter Russia without a visa for tourism, usually for a limited number of days. Here is how visa-free entry works and how to check your country.
Complete guide to Russian visa invitation letters in 2026
Everything you need to know about the Russian visa invitation letter (LOI / visa support): what it is, who needs one, tourist vs business invitations, how to get one online, costs, processing times, and common mistakes to avoid.
Russian visa rules changed in 2026: what is different and what stays the same
Russia updated its visa regulations in early 2026 — expanding e-Visa eligibility, adjusting fees, and changing some document requirements. Here is a factual summary of what changed, sourced from official MFA announcements.