Russia Issues Over 540,000 Electronic Visas to Foreigners Since August 2023

The Russian government has seen a significant increase in the issuance of electronic visas to foreigners since August 2023. According to data from the Russian Foreign Ministry, a total of 540,900 electronic visas have been issued to date.

Chinese citizens top the list with 254,200 e-visas issued, followed by Saudi Arabia with 43,400 and Germany with 42,600. Other countries in the top ten include Turkey, Estonia, India, Latvia, Iran, Kuwait, and Lithuania.

The majority of e-visas are issued for tourism purposes, with Chinese citizens split evenly between tourism and business travel. Saudi Arabian citizens, on the other hand, enter Russia exclusively for tourism. Residents of Germany and Estonia mostly visit for personal reasons such as work or visiting relatives.

Russia began issuing electronic visas on August 1 last year, allowing for single entry for guest visits, business trips, tourism, and participation in various events. The processing time is four days, and the visa is valid for 60 days with a maximum stay of 16 days in Russia. The entire procedure is conducted online.

With the increasing popularity of electronic visas, Russia is becoming a more accessible destination for tourists and business travelers alike. Subscribe to Eurasia Business News for more updates on international travel trends.