The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has postponed the issuance of electronic visas to foreigners, despite the fact that the system is already ready for implementation. This decision was made in light of the ongoing coronavirus crisis. This decision was announced on its website by the consular department of the Russian Foreign Ministry. The reasons, as expected, are related to the national security and health of Russian citizens, as the risk of COVID-19 infection remains. At the moment, the only way to use the service is with a special permission from the Russian government.
According to a law passed in July last year, e-visas were supposed to become available to citizens of 52 countries from January 1, 2021. The list of countries coincides with those that were already eligible for electronic visas in Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg. In this case, the exception is Qatar, which already has a free travel agreement with Russia, starting in February 2020. The cost of obtaining an adult visa electronically will be $ 50, while children under the age of six will be admitted free of charge, with parents only having to include consular fees, fill out an application, and include all relevant documents.
The processing will take just four days and can be done via the consulate’s website or a smartphone app. Visitors will have the right to stay in Russia for up to 16 days, while applications remain valid for 60 days after they are issued. As of the beginning of the year, the system is ready for launch, but a full-scale launch depends entirely on how the coronavirus pandemic develops, the TASS news agency reports, citing the Foreign Ministry.
Electronic visas covering the whole of Russia will be introduced in 2021
Currently, only citizens of the following countries are allowed to enter Russia: Tanzania, Turkey, Switzerland, Egypt, Maldives and the United Arab Emirates. Previously, entry was allowed to British citizens, but Russia postponed this agreement until February 1, 2021, after the appearance of a new strain of COVID-19 there. The issuance of electronic visas to foreigners will resume in full in the Russian Federation as soon as all restrictive measures related to the coronavirus pandemic are lifted. This was announced at a briefing by the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.
Visas will be extended regardless of the purpose of the visit to Russia for foreigners
Foreign citizens can extend their Russian visas in connection with the coronavirus situation, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department said in a statement. According to the statement, the visas will be extended regardless of the purpose of the visit to Russia. Foreign citizens who do not need a visa will be able to extend their stay in the country. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that foreign guests will be given the opportunity to extend their stay in Russia. To do this, they need to make a corresponding request to the nearest department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In addition, the Russian authorities will resume accepting applications for work permits from foreign citizens, the ministry added.
