Russia Issues Over 361,000 E-Visas in 2026 as Proposed Reforms Aim to Streamline Entry

Russia issued 361,115 electronic visas between January 1 and October 12, 2026. This figure underscores the growing adoption of the e-visa system by international travelers, coming at a time when Moscow is considering significant revisions to its conditions. A draft law from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposes extending the maximum stay from the current 30 days to 45 days, while also modifying entry procedures.

Top Source Countries for E-Visa Applicants

According to data released by Alexei Klimov, Director of the Consular Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Germany leads the list of origin countries with 57,233 visas issued. This is followed by:

Turkey: 55,818
India: 37,814
China: 30,922
Estonia: 20,391

These statistics highlight the diverse range of travelers utilizing this streamlined procedure.

Key Proposed Changes to the Unified E-Visa

In this context, Russian authorities seek to evolve the unified e-visa framework. The draft law, published on the official portal for regulatory acts, proposes amendments to Article 25.16-1 of Federal Law No. 114-FZ (dated August 15, 1996), which governs entry and exit conditions for the Russian Federation.

1. Adjusted Validity and Stay Duration

The most significant change concerns the document’s usage period. Currently, since August 23, 2025, the e-visa is valid for 120 days from issuance, allowing a maximum stay of 30 days.

Under the new proposal:

The validity period would be reduced to 45 days.
Travelers would be permitted to stay in Russia until the expiration of this 45-day period.

Impact on Arrival Date: The date of arrival will directly impact the length of stay. A traveler entering immediately after issuance could enjoy the full 45 days. Conversely, a traveler waiting 30 days before crossing the border would have only about 15 days remaining. The principle of single-entry would remain in effect.

2. Expanded Access Points

The draft also aims to broaden access to Russian territory:

Border Crossings: E-visa holders would no longer be restricted to specific border checkpoints listed by the government. They could use any international border control point open to passenger traffic.
Transit: Transit through Russia would be explicitly recognized as an authorized purpose of travel, particularly for individuals holding a visa or visa-free entry rights for their final destination country.

Strategic Importance and Practical Details

These adjustments carry particular significance for a country spanning 11 time zones and positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Improving entry and circulation conditions is a key factor for:

Tourism
Business exchanges
International connectivity

Cost and Application Process

Cost: The e-visa fee remains approximately €58, based on rates observed since October 14, 2026.
Application Portal: Requests are submitted via the official Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal: evisa.kdmid.ru.

Implementation Timeline

The reform has not yet entered into force.

Existing Visas: E-visas issued before the new law takes effect will retain their original conditions (120-day validity, 30-day max stay).
New Rules: If adopted, the new provisions will apply 90 days after the official publication of the law.

Important Note for Tunisian Travelers

While Russia is easing e-visa conditions, not all nationalities are eligible. Tunisian citizens are currently not among the nationalities authorized to use this e-visa system.