Russia has launched an E-Visa facility that allows nationals of 55 countries to apply for a 16-day visa, which is electronically issued within four days, including weekends and holidays.
There has previously been a complimentary e-visa for St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, and Vladivostok regions, and Russia was supposed to release a nationwide visa in 2021 that was delayed until August 1, 2023.
You can access Russia’s page for applying for an e-visa here.
Why E-Visa?
Steps During the Application Process:
Nationals Eligible For E-Visa:
- 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, China
- Turkey
- Vatican
- Vietnam
Valid Entry Points:
Conclusion
During the World Cup, I used one form of e-visa, then called FAN ID, and entered the country on a train from Helsinki and flew out from Moscow.
The e-visa facility definitely makes it easier to visit Russia compared to having to apply for a physical visa with all required documents at one of their consulates or embassies (or through an agent).
You can use them to enter Russia for 16 days (both entering and exit days count), which allows seeing St. Petersburg and Moscow or perhaps having a stopover if transiting through the country.
This probably won’t help anybody other right now than those having to enter the country for personal or business reasons. It is not wise to travel to Russia due to the war with Ukraine and situations where foreign nationals may end up.