E-visas will be introduced throughout Russia in a year and a half

According to the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov e-visas for an entry on the whole territory of Russia should be introduced within a year and a half. “Now we are moving towards the introduction of e-visas throughout the Russian Federation”, Lavrov said.

“Already 95 countries have agreements with us on a visa-free regime. Almost all of Latin America has become visa-free”, Lavrov said.

It must be emphasized that e-visas are already being applied in Vladivostok and Kaliningrad and they will work in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region this fall.

On June Vladimir Putin signed an order to introduce single entry e-visa from 1 January, 2021 for foreign tourists to enter Russia. As noted, foreign citizens will be able to visit Russia for tourism, business, humanitarian purposes, as well as a guest visit.

According to tour operators, a tourist flow to Russia will grow by 20–25% thanks to e-visas — primarily due to tourists from European countries.

At present, foreign tourists can visit the Far East and the Kaliningrad region with e-visas. From 1 October, it will be possible to get e-visa for a trip to St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.

It must be stressed that at least four calendar days before the proposed trip, foreign citizens must fill out an electronic form on the website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attaching their photo. E-visa is valid for 30 days and allows staying in Russia no more than eight days from the moment of entry. E-visas are issued for tourism, business and humanitarian purposes.

Presumably, from 1 January, 2021 foreign tourists will be able to receive e-visas for trips throughout Russia.