Are you planning a trip to Russia to visit friends or family, but don't know if you qualify for a unified e-visa? This article is here to answer your questions and guide you through the steps you need to take. In particular, you will discover the different types of visa available, the eligibility requirements and the steps to follow to obtain your e-visa.
The different categories of Russian visa
Before talking specifically about the unified e-visa, it is important to understand that there are several categories of visa depending on the reason for your stay in Russia. Here are a few examples:
- Tourist visa : for people travelling to Russia for holidays or tourist activities.
- Business visa : for those travelling on business, whether for meetings, conferences or other work-related events.
- Private visa : designed for people who want to visit friends or family living in Russia.
- Humanitarian visa : granted to individuals taking part in cultural, sporting, religious or charitable activities in Russia.
- Work visa : for those who have found a job in Russia and need a visa to work there legally.
- Student visa : issued to students enrolled in a Russian educational institution.
What is the unified e-visa?
The unified e-visa is a type of electronic visa that allows its holder to visit the Russian Federation without having to go to a visa office. the embassy or consulate to obtain a traditional visa. It was set up to facilitate the administrative procedures involved in obtaining a visa, reduce costs and encourage tourism.
The advantages of the unified e-visa
The unified e-visa offers a number of advantages over traditional visas:
- Easy to obtain : Simply complete an online form and pay the associated fees to receive your e-visa by e-mail.
- Time saving : you don't have to go to the embassy or consulate, or queue for hours to get your visa.
- Reduced cost : processing fees are generally lower than those for a traditional visa.
- Validity : The unified e-visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issue and allows a maximum stay of 16 days in Russia.
Am I eligible for a unified e-visa?
To be eligible for the unified e-visa, you must meet certain conditions:
- Be a national of one of the countries eligible for the programme (the full list on our home page).
- Have a valid passport with an expiry date at least six months after the planned end of your stay in Russia.
- Not intend to work permanently, study or carry out journalistic activities in Russia.
- Provide a recent digital passport photo.
- You must have health insurance for the duration of your stay in Russia.
It is important to note that the unified e-visa covers the whole of Russiabut by entering via certain eligible points. If you plan to enter at a point not listed, you will need to obtain a traditional visa.
How do I obtain a unified e-visa to visit friends or family in Russia?
If you are eligible, here are the steps to follow to obtain a unified e-visa:
- Go to the official Russian government site dedicated to e-visas and select "e-visas". Electronic visa application "or go through a recognised visa agency
- Fill in the online form with your personal details, your passport and details of your stay in Russia.
- Upload the documents requested in the form or send them afterwards.
- Pay the processing costs
- Wait for your application to be processed and check the status of your e-visa regularly on the website.
- Print out your e-visa received by e-mail and present it to the Russian authorities when you arrive.
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