Last reviewed: 14 September 2026. Russia eVisa rules are subject to change; verify all details on the MFA portal before applying. This guide is prepared by our travel research team, which monitors visa announcements daily. We do not sell visa services and this article contains no affiliate links.
The Russia eVisa is a single-entry electronic visa for citizens of 64 countries, valid for 120 days with a maximum 30-day stay. UK, US, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders are not eligible. For 2026, the evisa russia requirements include a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from the application date, a JPEG digital photo, and mandatory medical insurance for the entire stay. Processing takes within 4 calendar days, and applications must be submitted between 4 and 86 days before the expected date of entry. UK citizens must apply for a standard visa through the Russian Embassy in London, as the Russia eVisa is not available to British passport holders. Those holding dual nationality with an eligible second passport may apply using that passport instead.
Russia eVisa 2026 Rule Parameters: Fees, Processing & Key Details
The 2026 Russia eVisa programme confirms 64 eligible nationalities, standard processing within 4 calendar days (including weekends and bank holidays), and a non-refundable consular fee payable by Visa or Mastercard.
| Parameter | 2026 Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible nationalities | 64 countries | List determined by the Government of the Russian Federation |
| Processing time | Within 4 calendar days | Weekends and bank holidays included |
| Submission window | 4 to 86 days before entry | Earliest 86 days, latest 4 days before expected date of entry |
| Consular fee | Non-refundable | Verify the current amount on at time of application |
| Accepted payments | Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay | No Amex, no PayPal |
| Children under 6 | Exempt from consular fee | Separate e-visa application still required |
2026 Fee Details
A single non-refundable payment is required at online submission via Internet acquiring (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay). American Express and PayPal are not accepted. Children under 6 are exempt from the consular fee but must still have a separate Russia eVisa application filed on their behalf.
2026 Processing Time & Submission Window
The Russia eVisa rules set a standard processing time of 4 calendar days from submission, with weekends and bank holidays counted. Applications may be submitted between 86 and 4 days before the expected date of entry. If returned for editing, a 2-day correction window applies and processing restarts upon resubmission. The information portal warns that Gmail accounts experience unstable and delayed email delivery; use an alternative email service to ensure timely receipt of the e-visa grant notification.
Eligible Nationalities for the Russia eVisa in 2026
The 2026 Russia eVisa eligibility list specifies 64 nationalities, as determined by the Government of the Russian Federation and published on. The Russia eVisa covers four permitted purposes of stay: tourist, business, humanitarian (cultural relations), and guest (private) visits. Each applicant, including children, needs a separate eVisa. The list may change; verify on the MFA portal before applying.
Note: As of 2026, all 27 EU member states are listed as eligible, but some citizens have reported longer processing times. Check your specific country on the MFA portal before applying.
| Eligible Country | Eligible Country |
|---|---|
| Albania | Italy |
| Angola | Japan |
| Argentina | Jordan |
| Austria | Kazakhstan |
| Bahrain | Laos |
| Bangladesh | Latvia |
| Belgium | Lebanon |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Lithuania |
| Brunei | Luxembourg |
| Bulgaria | Malaysia |
| Cambodia | Maldives |
| Chile | Malta |
| China | Mexico |
| Colombia | Moldova |
| Costa Rica | Mongolia |
| Croatia | Morocco |
| Cuba | North Macedonia |
| Cyprus | Netherlands |
| Czech Republic | Philippines |
| Denmark | Poland |
| Ecuador | Portugal |
| Egypt | Romania |
| Estonia | Saudi Arabia |
| Finland | Singapore |
| France | Slovakia |
| Germany | Slovenia |
| Greece | South Korea |
| Hungary | Spain |
| India | Sweden |
| Indonesia | Turkey |
| Iran | Vietnam |
| Ireland | Zimbabwe |
UK, US, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand passport holders are not eligible for the Russia eVisa in 2026.
Who Is NOT Eligible: UK Citizens & Other Excluded Nationalities
The Russia eVisa does not grant eligibility to passport holders from the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand. These nationalities are absent from the 64-country eligibility list maintained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and must instead apply for a standard visa through the Russian Embassy in London . Check FCDO travel advisory before planning any trip.
| Parameter | Russia eVisa | Standard Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time | ≤4 calendar days | Several weeks |
| Invitation letter | Not required | Required |
| Application channel | Online | Embassy / visa centre |
Dual Nationality Workaround
A UK citizen holding a second passport from one of the 64 eligible nationalities may apply for the Russia eVisa using that passport. The same passport must be presented at the border. Russian law does not recognise dual citizenship domestically: Russian nationals cannot enter Russia on a foreign passport with an eVisa.
eVisa Application Process & Required Documents
The Russia eVisa application is completed online at in seven steps, requiring a passport valid 6+ months from the application date, a JPEG digital photo, and mandatory medical insurance for the entire stay.
Create a personal account
Create a personal account on the MFA portal.
Fill in the online form
Fill in the online form (personal data, travel dates, purpose of visit).
Upload a digital face photo
Upload a digital face photo in JPEG format (≤6 months old, 35×45 mm, neutral expression).
Upload a passport bio-page scan
Upload a passport bio-page scan (machine-readable, ≥6 months validity, at least 1 blank page).
Pay the non-refundable consular fee
Pay the non-refundable consular fee (Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay).
Submit and track application status
Submit and track application status via personal account.
Receive the e-visa grant notification
Receive the e-visa grant notification on the website or by email.
No invitation letter or hotel booking is required, and insurance is mandatory but not uploaded online. It must be held for the entire stay.
Photo Requirements in Detail
- JPEG format; taken within the last 6 months; must reflect current appearance
- Full-face, head straight, looking directly at camera; neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
- No hair across eyes; uniform lighting with no shadows; applicant alone in frame
- 35×45 mm dimensions; white background
Application Errors & Tracking
If incorrect information is stated, the application is returned for editing no later than 2 calendar days from submission. Correct the indicated fields via personal account and resubmit. Processing time restarts upon resubmission. Track status by logging into your personal account on or using the “Check an e-visa status” service on.
Visa Conditions, Validity & Approved Entry Points
The Russia eVisa is valid for 120 days from date of issue, permits a single entry with a maximum 30-day stay, and is accepted at 29 designated border checkpoints only. Arrival day and departure day each count as full days; use the visa calculator tool on to verify. No extension except force majeure (then the Ministry of Internal Affairs issues a regular non-electronic visa). Freedom of movement across Russia except restricted territories requiring a special permit under federal laws.
| Checkpoint | Type | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Belgorod International Airport | Airport | Belgorod |
| Volgograd International Airport | Airport | Volgograd |
| Yekaterinburg Koltsovo International Airport | Airport | Yekaterinburg |
| Kazan International Airport | Airport | Kazan |
| Krasnodar International Airport (Pashkovsky) | Airport | Krasnodar |
| Krasnoyarsk International Airport | Airport | Krasnoyarsk |
| Moscow Vnukovo International Airport | Airport | Moscow |
| Moscow Domodedovo Airport | Airport | Moscow |
| Moscow Sheremetyevo A.S. Pushkin International Airport | Airport | Moscow |
| Nizhny Novgorod Strigino International Airport | Airport | Nizhny Novgorod |
| Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport | Airport | Novosibirsk |
| Rostov-on-Don Platov International Airport | Airport | Rostov-on-Don |
| Samara Kurumoch International Airport | Airport | Samara |
| St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport | Airport | St Petersburg |
| Pogranichny | Railway | Kaliningrad Region |
| Khasan | Railway | Primorsky Krai |
| St Petersburg Marine Station (Big Port) | Seaport | St Petersburg |
| Vladivostok | Seaport | Primorsky Krai |
| Zarubino | Seaport | Primorsky Krai |
| Passenger Port of St Petersburg | Seaport | St Petersburg |
| Bagrationovsk | Road | Kaliningrad Region |
| Gusev | Road | Kaliningrad Region |
| Ivangorod | Road | Leningrad Region |
| Mamonovo Grzechotki | Road | Kaliningrad Region |
| Mamonowo Gronovo | Road | Kaliningrad Region |
| Morskoe (Morskoje) | Road | Kaliningrad Region |
| Sovetsk | Road | Kaliningrad Region |
| Ubylinka | Road | Pskov Region |
| Ivangorod | On foot | Leningrad Region |
After Arrival: Practical Guidance for eVisa Holders
Russia eVisa holders must retain a migration card, register within 7 business days for non-hotel stays, and carry cash as foreign cards do not function domestically.
- Migration card: a white card issued at border control upon entry. Retain it during your entire stay and surrender it to border officials upon exit.
- Migration registration: required within 7 business days of arrival for stays outside licensed hotels. Hotels handle this automatically; your host or landlord is legally responsible for filing.
- Banking & payments: foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards do not function in Russia due to financial sanctions. Bring sufficient cash (USD, EUR, or GBP) for exchange, or consider a UnionPay card before travel.
- Customs declaration: cash exceeding the equivalent of $10,000 USD (approximately £7,900) must be declared in writing upon entry and exit.
- Single-entry reminder: leaving Russia to any neighbouring country permanently invalidates your single-entry Russia eVisa. Re-entry on the same eVisa is impossible.
- Biometric registration: short-stay Russia eVisa holders are generally exempt from mandatory domestic fingerprinting and photographic registration that applies to long-term residents.
Russia eVisa Requirements 2026: FAQ
What are the Russia eVisa requirements for 2026?
The evisa russia requirements include a valid passport (6+ months from application), a JPEG digital photo, medical insurance for the full stay, and a non-refundable consular fee paid online at. Processing takes up to 4 calendar days.
Which nationalities are eligible for the Russia eVisa in 2026?
Citizens of 64 countries are eligible, including all 27 EU member states, Japan, Turkey, China, India, and South Korea. The full list is published on. Verify on the MFA portal before applying.
Are UK citizens eligible for the Russia eVisa?
No. UK passport holders must apply for a standard visa through the Russian Embassy in London . UK citizens with a second passport from an eligible country may apply using that passport.
How much does the Russia eVisa cost in 2026?
A non-refundable consular fee is required (verify the current amount on ). Children under 6 are exempt. Payment by Visa, Mastercard, or UnionPay.
How long does the Russia eVisa take to process?
Within 4 calendar days from submission, including weekends and bank holidays. Apply between 86 and 4 days before your intended entry date.
Can I enter Russia via Belarus with an eVisa?
No. Transit via Belarus by plane, train, or car is strictly forbidden on an eVisa. There are no international border control posts between Russia and Belarus within the Union State.
How do I pay for things in Russia as a visitor?
Foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards do not function in Russia due to financial sanctions. Bring cash (USD, EUR, or GBP) or obtain a UnionPay card before travel.
Do I need to register my stay in Russia?
Hotels handle registration automatically. For private rentals or host stays, your host must file temporary registration within 7 business days of arrival.
What is the migration card and why is it important?
A white card issued at border control upon entry. Retain it during your stay and surrender it to border officials upon exit.
Can I extend my Russia eVisa?
No. The eVisa cannot be extended except in force majeure circumstances (e.g., natural disaster), which results in a regular non-electronic visa. Plan your stay within the 30-day maximum.
How much cash can I bring into Russia?
Up to the equivalent of $10,000 USD (approximately £7,900) without a written customs declaration. Amounts above this must be declared in writing upon entry and exit.
Can I use a second passport to apply for the Russia eVisa?
Yes, if one passport is from an eligible country. You must present the same passport at the border. Russian citizens cannot enter Russia on a foreign passport with an eVisa.
