31 Jul 2020 18:51

Putin signs law introducing 16-day e-visa for foreign visitors

MOSCOW. July 31 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill introducing a universal electronic single-entry short-term visa for foreigners visiting Russia for tourism, business, private and humanitarian purposes, in effect from January 1, 2021.

The e-visa will be a separate category alongside the official, diplomatic, standard, transit and temporary-resident visas.

The e-visa will be a separate category from the diplomatic, official, standard, transit and temporary-resident visas, the bill said.

The application procedure will be the same as for a single-entry visa for up to 60 calendar days. E-visa holders would be allowed to stay in Russia for up to 16 days.

The list of foreigners traveling to Russia for a private or business visit, tourism, to attend scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic and sporting events will be determined by the Russian government.

A decision on an e-visa application submitted on a special website will be made by the Foreign Ministry.

The processing time is maximum four calendar days from the date of filing an application.

Foreigners would be allowed to enter and exit Russia via the border checkpoints determined by the Russian government.