The unified electronic visa, available since 1 August 2023 and valid for the entire territory of the Russian Federation. Apply online — no invitation, no proof of trip purpose.
The Russia E-Visa, also known as the unified e-visa, became available from 1 August 2023 and is valid for the entire territory of the Russian Federation. Unlike a standard visa, it needs no invitation and no proof of trip purpose.
The service is accessible to citizens of 55 different countries, including members of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association. It was relaunched as part of Russia's efforts to adapt to the evolving landscape of international travel, following its suspension in 2020 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The e-visa application process is straightforward and involves the following steps.
The application starts with completing the necessary e-visa form online.
After filling out the form, pay the visa fee online with a debit or credit card.
Once your application is processed, you receive a notification about the grant of the e-visa on the website or via email.
Print out the notification or download it to your mobile device before you travel.
Present the notification to a transport company employee and to a Border Service officer at the border crossing point.
E-visa holders may only enter Russia through specific border checkpoints.
Paid to the Russian authorities
Optional — we handle the application
The e-visa is obtained through the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It allows a stay of up to 16 days and is issued within four days. No invitation or proof of trip purpose is needed, but only citizens of specific countries can apply.
No. If you already have a standard visa, you do not need an e-visa to travel to Russia.
If your country is not listed for e-visa eligibility, you can still travel to Russia, but you must apply for a standard visa.
No. E-visa holders can only enter Russia through specific border checkpoints.
The e-visa permits a stay of no longer than 16 days, except in exceptional circumstances such as emergency treatment or natural disasters, where the Ministry of Internal Affairs might extend the stay by issuing a standard visa.
No, unless there are circumstances such as emergency treatment or natural disasters. In such cases the Ministry of Internal Affairs might issue a standard visa to extend your stay.
The application fee can be paid using Visa and Mastercard, processed by the Chinese LianLian system.
Notifications about the progress of your application are sent via email. Once approved, print the visa notification or save it on your mobile device for use during travel.
Applications might be declined for reasons such as previous deportation, violation of stay rules in Russia, or unpaid fines. Errors in the application can be corrected and resubmitted, but incorrect information might lead to revocation of the visa at the border.
Report the loss at the nearest police station and contact your consulate to obtain a temporary passport. Your visa will then need to be transferred to your new passport.
No. A new entry visa to Russia must be processed by Russian consulates in foreign countries. No entity inside Russia can issue a Russian visa.
Yes. You must register your visa with the local migration authorities within seven working days upon arrival in Russia.
Our consultancy fee for the Russia e-visa is 20 USD. Talk to an advisor — free of charge, with no obligation.
Get free guidanceFees, rules and eligible countries are set by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and may change.