Russia closing visa centers in France as e-Visa rises in popularity
Russia will close its four visa processing centers in France on November 24, 2023, and is raising standard visa fees. Travelers must now apply directly through Russian consulates or via the growing e-Visa system, which offers a faster, simpler process with no hotel reservation or invitation letter required.
Starting November 24, 2023, the Russian visa application centers in Paris, Marseille, Nice, and Strasbourg will close permanently. French residents seeking visas to visit Russia must now apply directly through Russian consulates or the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Paris.
This change coincides with the reintroduction of Russia’s e-Visa system, which has been available to eligible travelers since August 1, 2023. Below, we outline your remaining options and what these changes mean for your travel plans.
Russia’s visa centers in France set to close
The Russian visa centers in France were once a convenient option for travelers applying for a visa. However, from November 24, 2023, the facilities in Paris, Marseille, Nice, and Strasbourg will no longer operate.
For all visa-related inquiries, including application appointments for passports, contact the consular services of the Russian Embassy in Paris through its online appointment portal, its consulates-general in cities like Strasbourg and Marseille, or its consular agency in Villefranche-sur-Mer.
This move follows Russia’s decision to raise visa fees for travelers from several European countries: standard visa costs are set to increase from €35 to between $50 and $300, depending on processing speed and visa type.
The e-Visa option: simpler and faster
Since August 1, 2023, eligible travelers can apply for an e-Visa to visit Russia. Currently, nationals of 56 countries and territories—including many in Europe—may use this system, which allows stays of up to 16 days in Russia.
The key benefit of an e-Visa is streamlined processing. Unlike traditional visas, the e-Visa does not require proof of hotel reservations or invitation letters.
In September, Russia’s foreign ministry reported that nearly 40,000 online visas had already been issued. Even amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, European travelers continue to use e-Visas actively. In fact, officials expect to reach 100,000 EU citizens using the e-Visa system by the end of 2023.
Spécialiste de la veille réglementaire et experte en contenus destinations, elle analyse quotidiennement l’évolution des formalités d’entrée pour traduire la complexité administrative en guides pratiques. Son rôle combine expertise terrain et précision technique afin de garantir la fiabilité des informations délivrées aux voyageurs.
