Foreigners will be allowed to stay in Russia on an electronic visa for up to 30 days.

Foreigners will be able to stay in Russia for up to 30 days upon obtaining an electronic visa. Such a bill was approved on March 31 by the government commission on legislative activity, sources in the Cabinet of Ministers told Izvestia.

Few are enrolled: only 10 foreigners have received "golden visas" in the Russian Federation

This is modest even considering the sanctions and the novelty of the program — the mechanism may still be rehabilitated in the future.

"The bill is aimed at increasing the number of foreign citizens entering the Russian Federation for tourist, business, humanitarian and guest purposes," said Vladimir Gruzdev, Chairman of the Board of the Russian Bar Association.

It provides for an increase in the validity period of a single electronic visa from 60 to 120 days, and the permitted period of stay of a foreign citizen in the Russian Federation from 16 to 30 days.

"A single electronic visa gives the right to enter Russia on a guest or business visit, as a tourist, as well as to participate in cultural, political, sports events and to establish contacts and contacts. Such a visa is issued to citizens of more than 60 countries, the list of which is approved by the Russian Government," Gruzdev said.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Guests will be with us: foreigners will be extended their stay in Russia on an electronic visa