Politics · Russia · 12 hrs ago
Russia proposes changes to electronic visas for foreign visitors
Russia’s foreign ministry has proposed changes to its electronic visas for foreign visitors in a draft bill published for review.
The proposal would raise the permitted stay from 30 days to 45 days and shorten the visa’s validity from 120 days to 45 days.
It would also let travellers use all checkpoints open to international passenger traffic, rather than only designated entry points.
The bill would allow electronic visas to be used for transit through Russia by people who can enter a third country with a visa or without a visa.
Electronic visas issued before the changes take effect would keep their current conditions.
The changes would take effect 90 days after official publication, if the bill becomes law; the ministry says they are intended to make the visas easier to use and more popular.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has prepared a bill changing the terms of electronic visas for foreign visitors.
The bill proposes extending the permitted stay in Russia from 30 to 45 days and reducing the visa’s validity from 120 days to 45 days.
It would allow holders to enter and leave through all checkpoints open to international passenger traffic.
The bill would also allow electronic visas to be used for transit through Russia by people with visas or visa-free entry rights to third countries.
Electronic visas issued before the law takes effect would retain their current terms.
- Who
- Russia’s Foreign Ministry proposed the changes, which affect foreign visitors.
- What
- A bill would change electronic visa validity and permitted stays, and allow their use for transit through Russia.
- When
- The bill was reported on 2 November 2026. It is expected to take effect 90 days after official publication.
- Where
- Russia.
- Why
- The Foreign Ministry says the changes would simplify use of electronic visas and increase their popularity among foreign visitors.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Vedomosti reported that the Foreign Ministry had prepared a bill changing electronic visa terms.
The bill is expected to take effect.
- Permitted stay
- Proposed increase from 30 to 45 days
- Visa validity
- Proposed reduction from 120 to 45 days
- Eligible entry and exit points
- All checkpoints open to international passenger traffic
- Transit use
- Proposed for visitors with visas or visa-free entry rights to third countries
- Existing electronic visas
- Visas issued before the law takes effect would retain their current terms