You probably know that a lot of countries successfully adopted the electronic visa system over the last decade, and travelers all around the world could not be happier. An electronic visa spares you the time and effort of going to an embassy to apply for the document.

Instead, you get to do it from the comfort of your own home with a laptop and an internet connection. All you need to do is find an online visa service. But what about Russia? Can you go to Russian on an electronic visa?

The answer is yes and no. How is that possible? While Russia’s visa policy does not include an electronic visa, you have the option of getting one but only if you are interested in traveling to the Russian Far East. Even so, not all nationalities have access to such a document. Only the citizens of 18 countries have this option. You can check online whether or not your nationality is on that list.

Vladivostok – the capital of the Russian Far East.

Source: Pixabay

What are the conditions for issuing an e-visa for the Russian Far East?

The first thing you need to check off the requirement list is the passport. All foreign citizens need one. Moreover, the passport needs to be valid for at least another 6 months from the date of application. Otherwise, your application will be denied. Once you have that in order, you can apply online without paying any fees. The e-visa is free.

The document you receive grants you a single entry. While the visa is valid for 30 days, you are allowed to stay inside the region for up to 8 days. Neither the validity nor the stay period can be extended.

You are not required to have an invitation, a hotel booking or any other materials that state the purpose of your visit, but you do need to have medical insurance. If you do not have an insurance policy with international coverage, you need to buy another one.

The beauty of Kamchatka.

Source: Pixabay

As for when you need to apply, you cannot submit your application earlier than 20 days or later than 4 days before you intend to enter Russia. You can go there for tourism purposes, business or for humanitarian purposes. You can move freely inside the region, but there are territories, facilities, and organizations that are off limits.

When you leave, you need to use the same checkpoint through which you entered. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to cross the border. Make sure that you plan your itinerary accordingly.

So, to answer your question, as long as you want to visit the Russian Far East and your country is on the list of eligible states, then yes, an electronic visa is available. However, in most cases, people need to go to a Russian embassy to apply for a visa if they want to visit the rest of the country.

Kamchatka – the land of magnificent volcanoes.

Source: Pixabay

We all know that Russia is not the most lenient state, and we have no idea if and when an e-visa will become available for the rest of the regions and nationalities. But who knows? Maybe things will change.

Tags: Far East District

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