President Vladimir Putin has ordered in a decree that Russia will offer electronic visas to foreign visitors starting in 2021. He has signed a presidential order instructing the prime minister, the Foreign Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the Federal Security Service (FSB) to implement the e-visas by Jan. 1, 2021.
Tourists across the globe have often cited difficulties obtaining visas to Russia. In 2018, Russia offered visa-free entry for foreign fans with Fan ID’s visiting Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It resulted in a 10 per cent boost in tourism that year. The new program, along with last year’s Fan ID offer, will shape Russia’s e-visa program.
The e-visa offer will apply to single-entry visas for visits of up to 16 days in length and can be used for any type of visa – allowing people to visit Russia for tourism, business, and humanitarian purposes.
Russia will approve the list of countries eligible for the offer. So far, China, South Korea, Japan, European countries and New Zealand are among the countries being considered. It is not currently planned to include the United Kingdom, Canada and the US on the list. The e-visas are expected to cost around U.S. dollars 50. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will prepare the list of countries whose citizens will be eligible for electronic visas.
Tags: electronic visas, Russia, Vladimir Putin
