Russia has approved a list of countries whose citizens may obtain an electronic visa to enter the Russian Federation. A total of 52 states from the pilot project were included in the list.

Recall that electronic visas for visiting Russia by foreign citizens have been in force since 2017 in the Far East (for tourists from 19 countries), and since last year they were introduced in Kaliningrad, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region for visitors from 53 countries. Thanks to the use of such visas, the tourist flow in these regions has increased.

According to the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers, next year Russia will introduce a single electronic visa. It is specified that the list includes all the countries, the citizens of which were previously allowed to enter the Russian Federation with the electronic visa within the framework of a pilot project.

Qatar was not included to the list as since February there is a visa free regime between the two countries.

Now the new type of visa will cover the whole Russia. Tourists will be able to cross the border through any specially equipped checkpoint, regardless of the region, and travel throughout the Federation. At the same time it is decided to increase the period of stay of foreigners in Russia from 8 to 16 days.

It will be possible to prepare the document for tourist, business, humanitarian and guest trips in the Internet. To get it, the invitations, hotel reservations and other documents, confirming the purpose of travel, are not needed. The consular fee will be 40, and the visa fee for children under 6 years old won't be charged.

Made in Russia // Made in Russia

Author: Ksenia Gustova