How Russians can apply for visas to Europe and other countries of the world. Analysis

Russian citizens were banned from obtaining multiple-entry Schengen visas, leaving this option only to close relatives of EU citizens and transport workers. At the same time, Russians still have access to visas for single entry into the Schengen area. What requirements must be met for this and which other countries of the world require an entry permit in advance — in the Izvestia article.

Europe

• On November 7, the European Commission announced a decision to significantly restrict the issuance of multiple-entry Schengen visas to Russians. From now on, European countries will issue entry permits on any dates to only two categories of citizens. These are close relatives of those who legally permanently reside in the European Union (parents, children, spouses, and children of the latter under the age of 21), and transport workers (sailors, bus and truck drivers, and members of train crews). Multiple-entry visas will be issued for a period of 12 and 9 months and provided that the applicant has previously received and lawfully used visas in the last two years. Individual countries may, at their discretion, issue multiple-entry visas for up to five years for "vulnerable categories" of citizens and their family members.

• The restrictions imposed mean that Russians will have to submit a new application before each new trip to enter the Schengen area. They do not apply to existing holders of multiple-entry visas and applicants who submit documents at consulates of third countries. Domestic legislation does not allow Russians to be completely banned from entering EU countries, but the European Commission is taking steps to complicate the visa issuance procedure.

• Until recently, multiple-entry visas were usually issued by Italy, France, Spain, Greece and Hungary. At the same time, many countries, including those bordering Russia, have actually completely stopped issuing tourist visas and also banned entry with non-biometric passports, even if they contain a Schengen visa.

The window was closed: The European Commission banned issuing multiple-entry visas to Russians

The EU authorities have linked this measure to improving the security of the Schengen area.

• Single-entry Schengen visas are currently available to Russians, which are issued on the dates of a specific trip. In case of early departure from the Schengen area, they do not allow you to return back within the prescribed period. The cost of a Schengen visa is €90, and the service fee for its registration reaches €45. The deadline for reviewing a Schengen visa application is up to 15 days without the possibility of urgent processing, but in case of additional checks, it increases to 45 days. Different consulates that also issue visas can take six days to six weeks to process them.

• In addition to the application form and passport, the package of documents for obtaining a Schengen visa usually includes air tickets, medical insurance, hotel reservations, proof of financial viability and a certificate from the workplace. Individual countries may tighten the requirements for documents. For example, in some cases, you may need insurance issued in an EU country, or already paid for housing.

• A multiple-entry Schengen visa also allows entry to Albania, Cyprus and Northern Macedonia, without which a national visa will be required. In the case of Albania, it can be done electronically. The United Kingdom and Ireland also require visas from European countries. They require basically the same documents as for a Schengen visa, while it is not necessary to pay for travel insurance.

America

• Russians need a visa to travel to the United States, and it can only be issued in two foreign cities: Astana and Warsaw. An application for an American visa is submitted electronically, and it is issued following an interview at the consulate. There is no list of required documents for obtaining a visa, but confirmation is required that the applicant does not intend to emigrate to the United States and will maintain ties with his native country. The cost of a tourist visa to the United States is $185, it is valid for three years and allows multiple entries lasting up to six months.

• To apply for a visa to Canada, you must first fill out an electronic application. Based on its results, an individual list of documents will be generated, which will also need to be uploaded online. Proof of financial viability and intention to return home is usually required. The cost of the visa is 100 Canadian dollars (5.8 thousand rubles), and the collection of biometrics is 85 Canadian dollars (5 thousand rubles). A visitor visa can be issued for up to 10 years, but each trip must last no more than six months.

Oceania

• Australia issues tourist visas electronically, but at the same time requires an impressive package of documents and payment of a fee of 200 Australian dollars (10.5 thousand rubles). The applicant is required to prove his financial well-being and unwillingness to emigrate. At the same time, the Australian authorities do not ask to pay for accommodation and flights before obtaining entry permits, and also require medical insurance only from applicants over 75 years of age.

• A similar visa processing procedure applies in New Zealand. They differ significantly from the Australian ones only in cost. The registration fee will amount to 441 New Zealand dollars (22 thousand rubles), in addition to it, a fee for nature protection and tourism in the amount of 100 New Zealand dollars (5 thousand rubles) is paid.

Asia

• Japan is a rare country that accepts a large package of documents for applying for a visa, but does not require paying for it. To receive it, you need to fill out a questionnaire in English or Japanese, provide confirmation of hotel reservations and air tickets, create a program of stay and prove financial viability. However, electronic bank statements without printing are not accepted.

• A visa will be required to visit the DPRK, but Russians will not have to apply for it themselves. You can enter the country only with a voucher from a tour operator, who will apply and collect the documents himself. The cost of the visa will be about $ 60, it is issued strictly for the duration of the trip as part of an organized group.

• Turkmenistan is another country that requires a travel voucher to apply for a visa. If you don't have one, you can get an entry permit immediately upon arrival in the country, but then you will have to provide more documents and pay a fee of $ 155, and only in cash and in new banknotes.

No good: EU demands from Balkan countries to cancel visa-free travel for Russians

Montenegro may take this step as early as 2026, and Serbia and BiH will not yield to pressure yet, experts believe.

• To travel to Singapore, you will need a visa, which can only be issued through specialized agencies. The main thing will be to provide hotel reservations, air tickets and a certificate from the place of work, as well as to pay a visa fee of 30 Singapore dollars (1.8 thousand rubles) and a service fee of 2 thousand rubles. In practice, many tourists use a free transit visa, which allows them to stay in the country for 96 hours, provided that they then fly to a third country.

• Yemen and Kuwait are also engaged in issuing paper visas. The latter may refuse to issue a permit to women who travel alone, as well as to those who have a note on visiting Israel in their passport.

Africa

• The vast majority of African countries allow Russians to come without a visa, either to apply for it on arrival or electronically for a small fee. However, there are still a number of countries where you need to get permission from an embassy or consulate in advance. This is mainly due to the need to provide a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. Such a requirement is made, for example, by Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Guinea, Gabon and the Central African Republic.

• Eritrea, Somalia, Algeria and Libya also require a national visa, and the latter two will be refused entry if they show a note on visiting Israel in their passport. Otherwise, the visa processing process is similar to how it happens in other countries.