The Russian government expanded the list of countries with access to a single electronic visa

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed an order to expand the list of countries whose citizens can apply for a single electronic visa to enter the Russian Federation. This was announced by the country's government on its official website on Saturday, December 7.

"Barbados, Bhutan, Zimbabwe, Jordan, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, St. Lucia, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Zimbabwe, Eswatini have been added to the list," the ministry said.

It is also specified that Serbia and Andorra, with which bilateral agreements on mutual visa-free travel have been concluded, are excluded from the order.

Thus, the list of foreign countries that have the opportunity to issue a single electronic visa includes 64 states.

Earlier, on November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed to simplify the possibility of entry of foreign tourists to the regions of the Far East. It is noted that the Government of the Russian Federation and relevant departments have been instructed to "consider the possibility of simplifying the procedure for issuing electronic visas for foreign citizens to enter the Far Eastern Federal District for tourist purposes" by April 15, 2025.

In early August this year RBC with reference to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation reported that 540.9 thousand foreign citizens issued electronic visas to Russia during the year. It is noted that the citizens of China received 254 thousand visas, in second place were tourists from Saudi Arabia, they received 43.4 thousand e-visas. Germany closed the top three, its citizens have issued 42.6 thousand visas. Turkey and Estonia are next - 32.8 thousand and 28.6 thousand e-visas. Next are India, Latvia, Iran, Kuwait and Lithuania.

Electronic visas for foreigners are valid from August 1, 2023, they give the right for a single entry into the Russian Federation, you can stay in the country up to 16 days. The validity of the document is 60 days from the date of issue.