The Russian government has defined a list of 14 airports and 14 other land/sea entry points across the country to allow citizens of 52 selected sovereignties to visit Russia on a new type of e-visa which can be applied for as from January 1, 2021. The list of countries includes Belgium and all other EU lands, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, Mexico, Japan, China, Taiwan, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc. For nationals of the many countries which are already visa-free on a mutual basis, nothing will change.

A new single-entry e-visa may be requested online for an up to 16-day trip to Russia for business, tourism, personal and humanitarian (education, sports, culture, etc.) purposes. The updated procedure foresees no need to present accommodation booking references or invitation letters at the time of application. The cost is fixed at US$ 40, but visas are free for children up to 6 years old; e-visas are issued within 4 working days from the application date and are valid within 30 calendar days from the date of issue. Only the issued visa reference data or printout, valid insurance and return ticket will be required upon arrival for admission into the country. Foreign visitors can freely travel around Russia and leave the country via another of the currently 28 authorised (the list to be expanded) airports and land/sea border entry/exit points. The new system, of course, will become fully operational once the COVID-related travel restrictions are lifted, country by country.

More information and updates of the new e-visa application and issue procedures will be published in the countryfile for Russia, section ‘Reisinformatie en nuttige adressen’.