If you are one of the many who is travelling to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, you are advised to order a FAN ID before you embarked on your trip.

So what’s so unique about the FAN ID?

Well, the FAN ID is a personalised free spectator card that allows you to conveniently access the stadium faster, travel for free on additional trains, and public transportations connecting to the 2018 FIFA World Cup host cities. With the FAN ID, you can also enter Russia visa-free ten days before the date of the first match and after the date of the last match, i.e. between 4 June and 15 July. But please note that FAN ID holders should be on their way out of the country no later than 25 July.

All you need to do is to fill in an application form via http://www.fan-id.ru/ or register at one of the FAN ID Distribution Centres located in Russia. You can also get a FAN ID at the FAN ID Distribution Centers in Russia, Rossotrudnichestvo’s foreign offices, VFS Global Visa Application Centers worldwide or order postal delivery.

Sure, you can choose to reject the perks that come with the FAN ID, but you are still required to order one as it is a MUST for every spectator to have it. 

According to the Ministry of Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, the 2018 FIFA World Cup fans have ordered 500,000 FAN IDs so far.

Half of the FAN IDs were ordered by the citizens of the Russian Federation. The rest were made up of the United States, Mexico, China, Columbia, Argentina, Peru, Germany, Brazil, Egypt and other countries.