Russia to launch e-visas for tourists by end of June

MOSCOW. May 19 (Interfax) - Russia plans to launch e-visas for foreign tourists by the end of June, Russian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Vakhrukov said on Friday.

"We expect to launch e-visas by the end of June. Iran is one of the priority countries that qualify for such visas. So an e-visa will be another option available to Iranian tourists. We are hoping to start issuing such visas in July," Vakhrukov told reporters on the sidelines of the Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum 2023 international economic forum.

A bill adopted in Russia in July 2020 envisaged issuing e-visas to the citizens of 52 countries, including EU members, from January 1, 2021. Visas are intended for use by visitors, business, tourists and event participants. They will be issued within four days and will be valid for 60 days. The Russian government delayed the launch of the e-visa service in January 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Russian Foreign Ministry started to upgrade the visa website in 2022. The Economic Development Ministry said in March that e-visas would become available in 2023.