Putin supported the launch of electronic visas from August 1

Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a meeting with members of the government, supported the introduction of electronic visas from August 1, 2023.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova proposed leaving the initial list of 52 countries whose citizens will be able to obtain electronic visas, and adding three more states to it: Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. “And launch e-visas from August 1, 2023,” Golikova said.

“Thank you for doing this ahead of schedule. Surely it will help people, ”Putin replied to the proposal.

In response to the unfriendly actions of a number of countries, the authorities considered it inappropriate to exclude for their citizens the possibility of obtaining a single electronic visa for short-term trips to the country, Golikova noted. “The preservation of simplified entry into Russia for citizens of these countries for tourism purposes, to participate in scientific, sports, cultural events, as well as to maintain business contacts under sanctions restrictions, will primarily meet the interests of our state,” the Deputy Prime Minister explained.

However, holders of diplomatic and service passports from unfriendly countries will not be able to obtain such visas, she specified.

The list includes: Austria, Andorra, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Vatican, Hungary, Germany , Greece, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, China, North Korea , Kuwait , Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania , San Marino, Saudi Arabia , North Macedonia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Turkey , Philippines, Finland, France , Croatia, Czech Republic, Switzerland , Sweden, Estonia, Japan .

It was assumed that an e-visa could be issued via the Internet for tourist, business, humanitarian and guest trips. To receive it, it is enough to fill out the application form, upload a personal photo and a copy of the international passport, pay the consular fee and wait for notification. The visa is valid for 60 days from the date of receipt, but it is allowed to stay in Russia for no more than 16 days.

The State Duma adopted a law on electronic visas for citizens of 52 countries in the summer of 2020. The system was supposed to be operational in 2021, but its launch was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic . In July last year, the government lifted the moratorium on the issuance of e-visas, but they have not begun to issue them. In May of this year, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Vakhrukov reported that the authorities expected to launch an electronic visa system by the end of June.