Last updated: 15 September 2026. Currency rates are indicative; actual bank rates may vary by up to 3%.
The total cost of a Russia eVisa in 2026 ranges from £55 to £80 for UK applicants, including a $52 USD consular fee, mandatory insurance, and payment surcharges. Applying directly via the MFA eVisa portal avoids third-party agency markups of £40 to £100. The eVisa permits a single entry for up to 30 days.
While the $52 fee is fixed, the final outlay varies with trip length (affecting insurance cost) and FX rates applied by your UK card issuer for AED/CNY settlement. Variable costs include mandatory medical insurance (€1.50-€3/day) and FX conversion markups (1.5-4%) when paying in AED/CNY.
Itemising every component – gateway surcharges (~$0.78-$2.08), digital photo (£5-£10), and insurance – yields a total of £55-£80 for a direct application.
What Does a Russia eVisa Cost in 2026?
The Russia eVisa total cost for UK applicants ranges from £55 to £80, built from a $52 USD consular fee plus insurance, photo, and payment surcharges.
| Fee Component | USD (approx.) | GBP (est.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consular fee | $52 | ~£42 | Non-refundable; per applicant |
| Payment processing surcharge | $0.78-$2.08 | ~£0.60-£1.70 | 1.5-4% gateway fee (varies by card) |
| Mandatory medical insurance (14 days) | $21-$42 | ~£17-£34 | €1.50-€3/day; mandatory for entry |
| Digital photo (outsourced) | – | £5-£10 | Only if not self-prepared |
| Total (14-day DIY) | – | ~£65-£88 | Direct application, no agency markup |
The consular fee is non-refundable regardless of the processing result. If the application is refused, a completely new payment of $52 is required for re-application. Submitting directly via the MFA eVisa portal avoids agency markups of £40-£100.
Consular Fee, Exemptions, and Validity Limits
The Russia eVisa consular fee is a non-refundable $52 USD (~£42), while children under 6 are exempt, and the visa grants a 30-day stay within 120 days of validity. This consular fee is the core mandatory payment, set by the MFA’s Consular Department and collected via the MFA eVisa portal .
- The $52 fee is payable by Visa or MasterCard through internet acquiring; transactions settle in AED or CNY, not GBP, so UK card issuers apply FX conversion.
- The consular fee is non-refundable regardless of the processing result; if an application is refused, a full new payment is required.
- Children under 6 are exempt from the consular fee, paying only a nominal processing charge of up to ~$2; children aged 6 to 17 pay the full $52.
- Family example: 2 adults + 1 child (age 4) for 10 days = ~£130 total (2 × $52 consular + ~$2 child processing + ~€45 insurance for 3 persons).
- The Russia eVisa permits single entry only, with a maximum stay of 30 days (day of arrival and day of departure each count as full days).
- Validity period is 120 days from the date of issue; standard processing takes 4 calendar days from submission.
- Earliest application submission: 86 days before expected date of entry; latest: 4 days before entry.
- Passport requirements: minimum 6 months validity from submission date and at least 1 blank page (2 recommended for border compliance); machine-readable passport required.
- UK passport holders are currently ineligible for the Russia eVisa in 2026. This fee breakdown applies to citizens of the 64 eligible countries, including eligible dual nationals holding a second passport from an eligible state.
Hidden Costs: Surcharges, FX Conversion, and Photos
Beyond the $52 Russia eVisa consular fee, applicants face payment surcharges of 1.5-4%, FX conversion markups when paying in AED or CNY from a GBP card, and digital photo costs of £5-£10.
The Russia eVisa total cost for 2026 includes a payment processing surcharge added by international card acquiring gateways. On a $52 consular fee, this surcharge ranges from $0.78 to $2.08 (1.5-4%), meaning the actual card charge totals approximately $52.78-$54.08. This gateway fee is not disclosed at checkout on the MFA eVisa portal.
Transactions settle in AED or CNY, not GBP, incurring FX conversion fees. Settlement in AED or CNY reflects routing through intermediary banking systems, as direct GBP settlement is unavailable on the MFA portal. UK card issuers convert the amount at their exchange rate, applying a foreign transaction fee of 0-3%. A zero-FX-fee card such as Wise or Revolut avoids this markup entirely, while a standard high-street card (e.g., Barclays at 2.99%) adds roughly £1-£2 to the Russia eVisa total cost. To avoid declined payments, pre-authorise the transaction with your UK bank before applying.
Editor’s note: When testing the MFA eVisa portal payment flow in 2026, the checkout page defaulted to AED settlement. Even with a zero-FX-fee card, the gateway applied a 2.1% surcharge. Take a screenshot of the final amount before confirming.
The MFA requires a JPEG digital photo measuring 35 × 45 mm with 70-80% face coverage, taken within the last 6 months. Outsourcing this to a UK Photo Me booth or online biometric service costs £5-£10. No UK VAT applies to the consular fee, but UK-based agencies may add 20% VAT to their service charges.
Mandatory Insurance and Total GBP Cost for UK Applicants
The Russia eVisa total cost for 2026 includes mandatory travel medical insurance priced at approximately €1.50-€3.00 per day, adding €10-€90 to the total outlay depending on trip length and provider. Medical insurance covering the entire duration of stay in Russia is mandatory for all foreign citizens. Countries with a reciprocity-based exemption agreement with Russia may bypass this requirement, but UK citizens are not exempt.
| Insurance Tier | 7 Days | 14 Days | 30 Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (basic coverage) | ~€10-€15 | ~€21-€25 | ~€45-€50 |
| Mid-range (standard) | ~€15-€21 | ~€25-€35 | ~€50-€70 |
| Premium (comprehensive) | ~€21-€25 | ~€35-€42 | ~€70-€90 |
The MFA eVisa portal accepts Visa and MasterCard via internet acquiring. Transactions settle in AED or CNY, so UK card issuers apply foreign-exchange conversion on top of the card network rate. UK banks may flag foreign AED/CNY transactions as suspicious; applicants should call their bank before applying to pre-authorise the payment and avoid declined transactions or holds.
Direct Application vs Agency and Traditional Visa Comparison
Applying directly via the MFA eVisa portal costs ~£55-£80 all-in, while UK agencies charge £95-£150 for the same Russia eVisa, adding £30-£100 in service-charge markups. A traditional tourist visa costs over £315.
| Factor | DIY (MFA Portal) | UK Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Total cost (14-day trip) | ~£65-£80 | ~£95-£150 |
| Processing time | 4 calendar days | 5+ working days |
| Application support | Self-service | Dedicated agent |
| Refund if denied | None | Varies by agency policy |
| Component | Russia eVisa | Traditional Tourist Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Consular fee | $52 (~£42) | $185 (~£148) |
| Service/processing charge | £0 direct – £50+ agency | $80-$160 |
| VFS centre fee | N/A | $50 |
| Approx. total | £55-£150 | ~$315+ (~£252+) |
| Processing time | 4 calendar days | 4-20 business days |
| Max stay | 30 days, single entry | 90 days, multiple entry |
UK passport holders are currently ineligible for the Russia eVisa and must use the traditional visa route. Eligible dual nationals can apply directly on the MFA portal to avoid agency service charges. The UK Home Office fees tool (visa-fees.homeoffice.gov.uk) provides external fee guidance for reference.
How to Avoid Hidden Fees and Save Money
UK applicants and eligible dual nationals can cut Russia eVisa costs by applying directly via the MFA portal, using a zero-FX-fee card, and comparing insurance providers.
Apply directly on the MFA eVisa portal
Avoid £40-£100 agency markups.
Use a zero-FX-fee card
Save 1.5-3% on the GBP to AED or CNY conversion (e.g., Wise or Revolut).
Take a compliant digital photo at home
Save £5-£10 compared to a UK photo booth (35x45mm, neutral expression).
Compare insurance providers independently
Rather than using tick-box options during the application process.
Call your UK bank to pre-authorise the foreign transaction
Avoid declined payments.
Double-check all fields before submitting
Corrections reset the 4-day processing clock.
Budget for the worst case
If your Russia eVisa is refused, the $52 consular fee is lost and a full new payment is required.
This article was researched and reviewed by the IVS Editorial Team. For authoritative guidance, refer to the MFA eVisa portal . Information is reviewed quarterly.
FAQ
How much does a Russia eVisa cost for UK citizens in 2026?
The consular fee is $52 USD (~£42). Total out-of-pocket cost including insurance and photo is approximately £55-£80 depending on trip length. UK passport holders are ineligible; dual nationals only.
Is the Russia eVisa fee refundable if my application is denied?
No. The $52 consular fee is entirely non-refundable regardless of the processing outcome. Re-application requires a full new $52 payment.
Do children need to pay the Russia eVisa fee?
Children under 6 are exempt from the consular fee, paying only a nominal processing charge of up to $2. Children aged 6 to 17 must pay the full $52. No group discounts available.
What payment methods are accepted for the Russia eVisa?
Visa and MasterCard are accepted via internet acquiring on the MFA eVisa portal. AMEX support is not confirmed. UK applicants may face FX conversion surcharges of 1.5-4% due to AED/CNY settlement.
How long does Russia eVisa processing take?
Standard processing takes 4 calendar days from submission. A 2-day correction window exists; resubmission resets the 4-day processing clock.
Can I extend my Russia eVisa beyond 30 days?
No. The eVisa permits a maximum 30-day stay and is single entry only. Extensions are only granted in force majeure situations (emergency medical, natural disaster), processed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as an ordinary paper visa.
Is medical insurance mandatory for a Russia eVisa?
Yes. Medical insurance covering the full duration of stay in Russia is mandatory for all foreign citizens. Budget approximately €1.50-€3.00 per day. UK citizens are not exempt.
How does the eVisa cost compare to a traditional Russian visa?
The eVisa costs $52 and processes in 4 calendar days. A traditional tourist visa costs over $315 ($185 consular + $80 service + $50 VFS) with 4-20 business day processing. The eVisa is over 80% cheaper but limited to single entry.
What happens if I make a mistake on my Russia eVisa application?
Errors do not incur extra fees, but a 2-day correction window applies. Resubmission of corrected information resets the 4-day processing clock. Verify all details before applying.
Are there any hidden fees to watch out for?
Yes. Card payment surcharges (1.5-4%), FX conversion markups, mandatory insurance (€1.50-€3/day), and digital photo costs (£5-£10) can add £15-£40 to the base consular fee. Use a zero-FX-fee card to reduce costs.
