Russia will expand the list of countries for e-visa by 2025

Alexei Klimov, head of the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that work is currently underway to expand the list of countries whose citizens will be able to obtain an electronic visa. He specified that it is too early to name the countries that will be included in this list and stressed that the digitalization of the visa process is part of the Concept of State Migration Policy of the Russian Federation for 2019-2025.

The head of the department also noted that in the last four months of 2023, 170,000 single electronic visas were issued to citizens of 55 foreign countries. He added that more than 90% of all issued single electronic visas were received by citizens of 10 countries, including China, Estonia, Germany, Turkey, India, Saudi Arabia, Latvia, Iran, Lithuania and Italy.

The document, approved by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, requires authorities to set criteria for a new list of citizens eligible to apply for an e-visa to Russia by December 10, 2024. By the same deadline, the relevant government agencies must submit proposals to expand the list of types of visas issued electronically. Among other things, the Russian government intends to offer study and work e-visas to foreign nationals. At the moment Russia grants electronic visas to foreigners for the purpose of personal visit, business, tourism, as well as participation in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic and sporting events. According to the plan, by December 10, 2025, Russia also plans to add to the list of countries whose citizens can enter Russia without a visa, including for tourist purposes.