August 1, 2023 will mark the relaunch date of Russia’s electronic visa (E-Visa). Authorities at the Kremlin have announced that the online visa will be available to eligible travelers from the start of the month. Russia’s E-Visa service has been suspended since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic led to global travel restrictions. Although many countries
Visa Policy for Russia
On this page you can find the visa policy to travel to the Russian Federation and the necessary requirements to visit the country depending on nationality.
The visa policy for Russia is a set of laws, rules and regulations that indicates whether a traveler is eligible to enter the country, and the type of visa they need depending on the purpose of visit and duration, as well as the documentation they must provide.
Although citizens of approximately 50 countries do not need a visa to enter the country, Russian immigration policy states that a visa is required for other nationalities that are not on the list of visa-exempt countries.
A visa for Russia can either be obtained through the nearest embassy or consulate or through a simple e-visa application. A visa on arrival is not available for the Russian Federation.
Eligible foreign citizens can obtain an electronic visa through an online application for a short period of stay. This is done in an easy and comfortable way, without having to apply in person for an embassy visa.
An e-visa may be issued as either a tourist visa, business visa, or as a visa for scientific, cultural, sporting, or other types of events.
Travelers who wish to visit Russia for another purpose not listed above, for example to work or study, must obtain a visa at a Russian government diplomatic office.
Find further information about the different types of visa for the Russian Federation below.
