Travel to Russia has become easier for citizens of a total of 56 countries as Russia has officially launched its electronic visa service.
Announcing the news on Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said that the list of countries whose nationals can apply for e-visa includes:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cambodia
- China
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Myanmar
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Türkiye
- Vatican City State
- Vietnam
As the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains, the e-visa entitles all those eligible for it to enter the Russian Federation for business and tourism purposes. Moreover, the e-visa permits entry to the country for the purposes of participating in cultural and scientific activities as well as participating in sports events, VisaGuide.World reports.
“If the purpose of your trip to the Russian Federation is none of the above, you have to apply to a diplomatic mission or consular post of the Russian Federation for a regular (not electronic) visa,” the Ministry stressed.
The same explained that the e-visa is a single entry visa and pointed out that the visa remains valid for a period of 60 days from the date of issue.
Additionally, the Ministry highlighted that the permitted stay period in the territory of the Russian Federation on the basis of e-visa is 16 days.
“The permitted period of stay in the Russian Federation on the basis of a unified e-visa within its validity period shall not exceed 16 days from the date of entry,” the statement of the Ministry reads.
Nonetheless, the validity period and the permitted stay period of the e-visa may be extended in cases when a foreigner cannot leave the country due to the need to undergo emergency treatment or when natural disasters occur.
As the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains, when applying for the e-visa, applicants must submit their application form from their own personal account. The application can be submitted 40 days before travel at the earliest and no later than four days before the expected date of entry into the country.
Similar to the other visas, a fee is charged for the e-visa too for all applicants over the age of six.
As for the processing time, the Ministry noted that applications for e-visa will be processed within four calendar days.
All the information provided in the application must be complete as well as accurate, and all foreigners entering Russia on the basis of e-visa must purchase travel insurance for the entire duration of their stay.