Electronic Visa to Russia (e-Visa) — Eligibility and Application

The Russian electronic visa (e-Visa) is a simplified entry document available to citizens of eligible countries. It allows stays of up to 16 days for tourism, business, or humanitarian purposes.

E-Visa advantages: no invitation required, no consulate visit needed, application processed online in 4 calendar days, free of charge.

Eligible entry points: selected airports (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok), seaports, and land border crossings. Not all checkpoints accept e-Visas.

Application process: fill out the form on the Russian MFA website, upload a digital photo, receive the e-Visa via email, print and present at the border.

Limitations: single entry only, cannot be extended, valid only for the region of entry (some restrictions apply), maximum 16 days stay.

For longer stays or multiple entries, a traditional tourist or business visa with an invitation is recommended.