In a major breakthrough for global mobility, Russia has officially opened its brand-new unified e-visa application system to citizens of 57 countries — including Austria, India, Japan, China, France, Saudi Arabia, and more. This digital visa initiative, introduced by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will allow travelers to enter Russia with a single-entry e-visa for up to 16 days without needing to submit traditional paperwork like invitation letters or hotel confirmations.
A New Era for International Visitors Started!
Citizens from the eligible nations — spanning across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East — can now explore Russia for tourism, business, personal visits, or cultural events simply by applying online. The unified e-visa not only reduces paperwork but also ensures approval in just 4 calendar days, making it one of the most efficient travel authorization systems in the region.
Eligible Countries Include:
Vietnam, Sweden, Kuwait, Bhutan, North Macedonia, Vatican, Jordan, Spain, Lithuania, Tonga, Indonesia, Monaco, Ireland, Portugal, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic, Kenya, Philippines, China, Turkmenistan, Cyprus, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago, Iceland, Romania, India, Finland, Croatia, Iran, France, North Korea, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Austria, Malaysia, Saint Lucia, Malta, Myanmar, Germany, Japan, Estonia, Singapore, Eswatini, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, San Marino, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Greece, Hungary, Denmark, Latvia, Oman, Cambodia, Poland, Slovenia, Bahrain, Papua New Guinea, Italy, and Mexico.
What the Unified E-Visa Offers?
- Stay up to 16 Days: Valid for tourism, business, private visits, and events.
- Valid for 60 Days: The e-visa must be used within 60 days of issuance.
- Freedom to Travel: You can move freely across Russia (except restricted regions).
- No Supporting Docs Needed: No invitation letter, no hotel reservation, no purpose documentation.
⚠️ Important: The 16-day stay includes the day of arrival and departure. It’s not a literal 384 hours — so plan accordingly and use the visa duration calculator on the portal!
How to Apply?
Eligible travelers must submit a simple online application 4–40 days prior to travel, including:
- A valid passport (machine-readable, valid for 6+ months)
- A digital photo of your passport and a face photo (JPEG format)
- Medical insurance covering the Russian Federation (mandatory unless exempt)
- A bank card for the visa fee (children under 6 are exempt)
Once approved, your e-visa will be downloadable as a PDF confirmation, which must be shown upon boarding and at Russian border control — either printed or saved on your mobile device.
New Application Portal: https://evisa.kdmid.ru/.