Russia to relaunch its electronic visa on August 1

August 1, 2023 will mark the re-launch date of Russia's electronic visa (E-Visa). The Kremlin authorities have announced that this online visa will be available to eligible travelers from the beginning of the month. This e-Visa service had been suspended in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that led to worldwide travel restrictions.

A new publicity stunt?

For several months now, Russia has been multiplying these "calls for normalityIn fact, the country's "e-Visa" program is now being promoted to the international community under the guise of a rapid relaunch. It would appear that the context is not so enviable, and the launch has been repeatedly postponed by the country.

Although many countries have since restored their digital visa systems, Russia has maintained its travel restrictions until 2023, requiring in particular that visa applications are made in person at embassies. However, this situation is about to change. The Russian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement on its website indicating that international travelers will be able to obtain an electronic visa from August 1.

Are Westerners eligible?

According to this statement, citizens of 52 different countries will be able to obtain an electronic visa. At the previous launch of E-Visa in 2020, over 50 nationalities were eligible. It is expected that most, if not all, of these nationalities will be able to apply from August, even citizens of "unfriendly" (sic) nations. Authorized nationalities will include citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), as well as those of China, India, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Turkey, among others. Myanmar and Cambodia could also make an appearance.

Concerning the conditions of the Russian e-visa from August 2023, it is stated that travelers will be able to obtain the e-visa by submitting an online application. This visa will allow a single trip to Russia for various reasons, such as tourism, business travel, participation in sporting, cultural, scientific, socio-political or economic events. The visa is valid for 60 days, during which time the holder must enter the country. Once in Russia, the E-Visa will allow a stays of up to 16 days. Russia has 92 border crossings equipped with the technology needed to scan and verify E-Visas, enabling travelers to enter the country by air, land or sea.

Russian mission in Turkmenistan has indicated that it will no longer accept paper visa applications after August 1, 2023justifying it with a "major change"It's all part of the application process.

With this date so close, it's unlikely that there will be any further delays. The e-visa will now be a unified visa for access to the whole country, reflecting Russia's ultimate goal of facilitating travel and encouraging more visitors to promote tourism in the nation.

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