Russia E-visa

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The information on this page will be updated periodically as the Russian government continues to release information about the new unified E-visa for Russia.

Russia E-visa Information

Russia E-visas are electronic visa types that allow eligible citizens to travel to individual regions of Russia for short stays.

The Russian government has implemented the electronic visa system in order to expedite the process of applying for a visa to travel to select regions in the country.

Online Russia visas allow the traveler to visit their selected region in Russia for tourist, business, or humanitarian purposes.

An approved E-visa to visit Russia is a single entry travel authorization which grants a total stay of 8 days in the territory of destination. E-visas for Russia are valid for 30 days to enter the territory from the date of approval.

Eligible citizens are able to obtain an electronic visa for Russia through the simple E-visa Russia application form, which only takes a few minutes to fill in.

Applicants are required to complete the online Russia visa application form with basic personal, passport, and travel information, and answer a few security-related questions to receive an approved E-visa for Russia sent via email.

When completing the Russia E-visa application it is necessary to indicate the regional visa the traveler requires, from the following types:

St Petersburg E-visa

An online Saint Petersburg visa permits the holder to travel to the St. Petersburg and Leningrad regions of Russia.

Kaliningrad E-visa

The online Kaliningrad visa allows travelers to visit the Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave located between Lithuania and Poland on the Baltic Sea.

Russian Far East E-visa

An online Russian Far East visa permits the holder to visit all of the regions in the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia:

  • Primorsky Krai
  • Sakhalin Oblast
  • Kamchatka Krai
  • Amur Region
  • Khabarovsk Krai
  • Chukotka Autonomous Okrug
  • Republic of Buryatia
  • Zabaykalsky Krai

An approved E-visa for Russia allows the holder entry to the designated territory at select air and seaports, and certain land border checkpoints, in the relevant region.

It is expected that a Russia-wide E-visa will also be introduced in 2021 by the Russian Government. Information about this electronic visa type will be published on this site once available.

In order to travel to other regions of Russia not currently covered by an E-visa, or to visit the country for other purposes or longer periods, it is necessary to contact a Russian embassy or consulate for further information.

Highlights
Single entry online visas
Available for the regions of St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, or Russian Far East
Stay for up to 8 days
Valid for 30 days
For business, tourism, or humanitarian travel
What is Necessary ?

Passport valid for at least 6 months from intended arrival

Current photograph, passport-style

Email address

Russia E-visa Requirements

In order to submit an application for a Russian E-visa, it is first necessary to meet the online Russia visit visa requirements.

It is necessary to meet the following online Russia visa requirements no matter which regional E-visa the applicant requires:

  • An eligible passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from the intended date of arrival in Russia, containing at least one blank page
  • A current email address to which a copy of the approved E-visa for Russia will be sent
  • A photograph of the traveler taken within the last 6 months against a white background, passport-sized.

The online St Petersburg visa requirements are the same as the Kaliningrad eVisa requirements and the visa requirements for the Far East.

The visa policy of Russia states that it is not necessary to provide any additional supporting documents, such as hotel booking confirmations or a tourist invitation, for an E-visa for Russia to be approved.

Once approved, a copy of the online visa for Russia is sent via email to the traveler, who is then able to print a copy.

The copy of the approved E-visa can be used to board transportation for Russia and should be presented to a Russian border official upon arrival to gain entry to the relevant territory.

The 8-day period of allowed stay in the relevant territory of the Russian Federation starts at midnight of the day of passage through Russian passport control, regardless of the actual time the E-visa holder passes through immigration control.

For example, if the traveler passes through Russian border control upon entry at 8:00 pm on the first day of a month, then they will need to have exited the territory by 11:59 pm on the 8th day of the same month, when the eVisa validity will expire.

Russia entry requirements also state that it is necessary for holders of an E-visa to leave the Russian Federation only through checkpoints of the territory of Russia through which they entered.

Countries Eligible for Russian Federation

Citizens from the countries listed below are eligible to apply online to enter Russian Federation

Countries Eligible for Russian Federation

  • Andorra
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • China
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kuwait
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macedonia
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Netherlands
  • North Korea
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Romania
  • San Marino
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Turkey
  • Vatican City

Covid Update for Russian Federation

Last update: 07/01/2022

Nationals and residents of many countries may now travel to Russia, provided they arrive from certain countries. Nationals and residents of Botswana, Eswatini, Hong Kong, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe are not allowed to enter. This includes passengers who have been in one of these countries in the last 10 days. The issuance of Russian eVisas has been suspended until further notice. All arriving passengers (with the exception of Russian nationals), including those transiting through Russia, are required to have a negative coronavirus PCR test result issued a maximum of 2 days before arrival. Passengers arriving from certain countries are subject to a COVID-19 antigen test on arrival. Flights from Morocco and Tanzania to Russia are suspended. All travelers must fill in an “Application Form” online before traveling to Russia and present a printed copy on arrival. You can also check the visa Policy of Russia to find out the requirements you need to meet in order to travel to the country.

Country policy

Russia Visa Policy

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Russian Federation Visa FAQ

  • What is the Russia E-visa?

    A Russian E-visa is an electronic visa which allows eligible citizens to travel to a specific region in Russia for a short stay. At the moment, it is possible to get an electronic visa for St. Petersburg and Leningrad, Kaliningrad Oblast, and the Russian Far East Federal District.

    A Russia-wide E-visa is also expected to be implemented at the beginning of 2021.

  • How do I apply for an electronic visa for Russia?

    Eligible citizens are currently able to apply for an electronic visa Russia for a specific region through a simple online application.

    Applicants are able to complete the online form in just a few minutes, with basic personal, passport, and travel information, to receive an approved E-visa for Russia electronically linked to their passport.

  • Who is eligible for a Russia eVisa?

    Citizens of 54 eligible countries are able to apply for the 3 Russia eVisa types. Citizens of an additional 5 countries are also able to apply for the Far East eVisa only:

    • Algeria
    • Brunei Darussalam
    • Morocco
    • Tunisia
    • United Arab Emirates

    Foreign citizens not eligible for any of the E-visa types are required to apply for a visa from a Russian consulate or embassy.

  • What ports of entry can I use with the Russia eVisa?

    The ports of entry that can be used with a Russian eVisa depends on which region-specific electronic visa the traveler obtains.

  • What ports of entry can I use with the Russia E-visa to Saint Petersburg and Leningrad?

    The following ports of entry can be used with the Saint Petersburg and Leningrad eVisa:

    By air: Pulkovo airport
    By land: Ivangorod, Torfyanovka, Brusnitchnoe, Svetogorsk. It is not currently possible to use the St Petersburg eVisa to enter the region by rail.
    By sea: Saint Petersburg, Passenger or Vysotsk, seaports

  • What ports of entry can I use with the Russia E-visa to Kaliningrad?

    The following ports of entry can be used with the Kaliningrad eVisa:

    • By air: Kaliningrad (Khrabrovo)
    • By land: Bagrationovsk, Gusev, Mamanovo (Gzhekhotki), Mamanovo (Gronovo), Morskoye, Pogranichnyy, Sovetsk, Chernyshevskoye
    • By sea: Baltiysk, Kaliningrad, Svetly
  • What ports of entry can I use with the Russia E-visa to the Far East?

    The following ports of entry can be used with the eVisa for the Russian Far East:

    • By Air: Anadyr (Ugolny), Blagoveschensk, Vladivostok (Knevichy), Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky (Yelizovo), Ulan-Ude (Mukhino), Khabarovsk (New), Chita (Kadala), Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Khomutovo)
    • By Land: Poltavka, Turiy Rog, Makhalino, Progranichny, Khasan
    • By sea: Vladivostok, Zarubino, Korsakov, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Posiet
  • What do I need to submit an application for the Russia electronic visa?

    In order to submit an application for a Russia electronic visa, it is necessary to have the following:

    • Passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended entry date to Russia
    • A recent photograph of the traveler taken against a white background, passport-sized
    • A current email address at which to receive a copy of the approved online visa for Russia.
  • Do I need a Russia E-visa for all my children? Should I include them on my application?

    Yes, all travelers from E-visa- eligible countries, no matter their age, are required to have an individually approved visa for Russia to travel to the country.

    An individual E-visa application form must be submitted for each child, whether the minor is included on the parent/guardian’s passport or not.

  • How much does the Russia online visa cost?

    At the moment the Russian government does not require the payment of any Russia visa fees to obtain one of the regional E-visas for the country.

  • How long will my Russia E-visa take to process?

    The standard online Russia tourist visa processing time is between 2-4 business days. Applicants are advised to apply for an E-visa for Russia at least 4 business days before the intended arrival date in Russia, to allow for sufficient processing time.

  • Do I need to print a copy of the Russia E-visa?

    Yes, travelers are advised to print a copy of the approved E-visa for Russia to present to transport carriers and to border officials upon arrival in Russia, to gain access to the country.

  • Do I need travel or health insurance to be granted a Russia E-visa?

    The Russian government recommends that holders of an eVisa have a valid medical insurance policy to cover the entirety of their stay.

  • Do I need to get an E-visa if I am just in transit in Russia?

    It is not necessary to get a Russia transit visa if the traveler will spend less than 24 hours in Russia while transiting to an onward destination, and does not leave the transit area of the airport.

  • How can I check my Russia E-visa status?

    Applicants are able to check their Russia visa status via the visa tracking tool on the Russian government website.

    Updates and notifications about the visa status will also be sent to the applicant’s current email address.

  • Can I extend my E-visa in Russia?

    No, it is not possible to extend an E-visa in Russia. In order to renew a Russian online visa, it is necessary to submit a new E-visa application from outside of Russia and receive a new travel authorization in order to return.

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