The Ministry of Economic Development announced an electronic visa for citizens of three countries

Residents of Zimbabwe, Kenya and Eswatini have been given the opportunity to apply for an electronic visa to enter Russia, and soon this opportunity will also be available to citizens of Tanzania, Ethiopia and Egypt. This was announced to Izvestia on July 27 by the press service of the Ministry of Economic Development.

"We are working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expand the list for Tanzania, Ethiopia and Egypt, as well as the possibility of introducing multiple—use electronic visas," the ministry said.

Russians can also enter Kenya, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Djibouti, Benin and Malawi with an electronic visa.

It is specified that a fully visa-free regime is currently in effect with Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Seychelles, Mauritius, Morocco, Tunisia, Namibia and South Africa.

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Russian citizens often prefer the countries of South-East Asia.

Svetlana Gerasimova, an expert at the OnlineTours package tour booking service, told Izvestia on May 1 that a number of new visa-free destinations were opened for Russian tourists in 2026, and entry to some previously accessible countries became easier. Since December 2025, Jordan has also become visa-free for Russians: the country has allowed a stay of up to 30 days. She also recalled the visa-free regime with China, introduced in September 2025.

On April 6, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the agreement between Russia and Saudi Arabia on the introduction of a visa-free regime would enter into force on May 11. Citizens of the Russian Federation may enter and stay in Saudi Arabia without a visa continuously or for a total of no more than 90 days during a calendar year, provided that they do not work, receive education or reside in the kingdom.