From August 1, 2023, Russia will launch a system of issuing unified electronic visas, which will allow you to visit all regions of the country. The visa will be paid, it can be obtained on the Internet in a few days and you will be allowed to stay in Russia for up to 16 days.
To purchase an electronic visa, you need to fill out an application form at a specializedwebsiteMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Russia or in a mobile application, the download link for which is posted on the same website. You must attach a photograph and a scanned page of your passport with personal data to the application form. It is required to indicate information about the planned trip, marital status, information about parents, residential address, etc. No confirmation from the receiving party from Russia is needed. An application for the procedure for obtaining a single electronic visa must be completed no later than 4 calendar days before the date of expected entry into the Russian Federation.
There is a fee for an e-visa. The total price, taking into account the consular fee, bank commission, transaction costs of the payment system, as well as the fee for preliminary verification of documentation, is about 52 US dollars and no more than 2 dollars for children under 6 years old. It is possible to pay by credit card.
A single electronic visa gives the right to a single entry and stay in the Russian Federation on a guest or business visit, as a tourist, and also for participation in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic, sports events and the implementation of relevant connections and contacts. Visa validity period — 60 days from the date of its registration, the permitted period of stay in Russia under it — up to 16 days from the date of entry. The visa gives the right to visit all Russian regions.
It will be possible to enter Russia with an e-visa by air, road and water transport, as well as on foot through 92 authorized checkpoints. The list includes international airports in different cities of the Russian Federation, ports and pedestrian checkpoints. Upon boarding, transport companies can check whether a foreign citizen has a valid uniform electronic visa.
A single electronic visa to Russia will be available for citizens of the following countries: Austria, Andorra, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Vatican City, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, China (including Taiwan), Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, North Macedonia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Philippines, Finland, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia, Japan. In the near future, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar will be additionally included in this list.
Let us remind you that before the coronavirus epidemic, Russia issued electronic visas for visiting only the Leningrad region and the Far East. At that time such a visa was free of charge.