Russia recently took a symbolic step forward by reaching the milestone of one million electronic visas issued since the scheme was introduced. This success bears witness not only to the strong request international travellers, particularly from Asia, but also the country's efforts to simplify access to its territory. By adopting this policy of openness, Russia aims to boost its tourism sector while strengthening its economic exchanges with the rest of the world.
Russia recently celebrated a significant milestone in its policy of opening up to international travellers by issuing more than one one million electronic visas (e-Visas) since the system was launched. This illustrates the growing demand, particularly from Asia, for this simplified method of entry into Russia. In this article, we look at the features of this visa, trends in demand and future improvements planned.
An attractive package for international travellers
Introduced on 1 August 2023, the Russian electronic visa allows nationals of 56 countries to visit the entire country for a variety of reasons, including tourism, business or family. The system is designed to simplify access to Russia, while boosting the tourism sector and international economic exchanges.
Key figures and trends
The launch of e-Visa has been very well received, with over one million visas issued to date. This trend is particularly marked by the high demand from Asian travellers, especially those from China andIndiaas well as other countries such as the United States.Estonia, l'Germany and the Turkey. The application process remains accessible and has a rate of refusal remarkably low, at less than 0.08%. This figure contradicts preconceived ideas about the potential difficulties involved in obtaining this visa.
The main points of entry for e-Visa holders are the airports of Moscow and Saint Petersburgas well as several land border crossings. These destinations are particularly popular, underlining Russia's growing appeal as a major travel destination.
Towards an extension of the validity of electronic visas
The Russian government is considering further extending the conditions of access. According to Maria Zakharovaspokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the validity the e-visa could soon be extended from 60 to 120 days. In addition, the authorised length of stay could be extended from 16 to 30 days. These adjustments are designed to make the destination even more attractive to international travellers.
Another innovation in the pipeline is the introduction of a electronic authorisation which could replace the old paper migration cards, increasing security when entering Russia.
A constantly improving system
Despite the simplicity of the system, it is essential that applicants complete their online applications correctly. Common errors include incorrectly entered names, dates of birth or the quality of documents submitted. To remedy this, applicants have the option of correcting their application at no extra cost should a problem arise. This facilitates the process and reduces the administrative hassle involved in obtaining an e-Visa.
Countries eligible for the Russian electronic visa
Countries whose nationals can apply for an e-visa include : China, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Eswatini, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Myanmar, Netherlands, North Korea, Northern Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Oman, Norway, Romania, Saint Lucia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Vatican City, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. This wide range of countries demonstrates Russia's commitment to welcoming visitors from all over the world.
The issuing of more than a million e-Visas is an important step in Russia's strategy of opening up its borders. The proposed changes to visa validity and length of stay should help boost interest in the destination among international travellers. For more information on this system, please consult the following links: Information on extending the validity of the e-Visa, Procedures in the event of loss of e-Visa, Extended stays for business and tourism, Comparison between e-Visa and traditional visaand Information on doing business in Russia.
Key data on Russian e-Visas
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of e-Visas issued | More than 1 million. |
| Eligible countries | 56 countries, including China, India and Germany. |
| Refusal rate | Less than 0,08 %. |
| Period of validity | Currently 60 daysexpected to rise to 120 days. |
| Maximum length of stay | Currently 16 daysextended to 30 days soon. |
| Main entry points | Airports of Moscow and Saint Petersburg. |
| Alternative input agent | Possibility of a electronic authorisation to replace paper migration cards. |
An agency service 