Russia Expands e-Visa to 120-Day Validity, 30-Day Stay for Tourists

(RUSSIA) Russia has doubled the validity of its national e‑Visa and given travelers nearly twice as long to stay, a move the government says will bring more visitors and support the travel economy.

Effective August 23, 2025, the e‑Visa validity extends from 60 days to 120 days, and the maximum authorized stay increases from 16 days to 30 days. The e‑Visa remains multiple‑entry, letting travelers enter and exit several times during the 120‑day window. The changes come under a presidential decree signed by Vladimir Putin on July 23, 2025, and form part of a wider drive to grow tourism and business travel despite ongoing geopolitical strains.

Officials say the legal basis sits in Federal Law No. 257‑FZ of July 23, 2025, which amends border and visa rules. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has framed the update as a balance: easier trips for visitors, with controls kept in place. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the longer validity and stay should lift average trip length and help local businesses across regions that depend on visitor spending.

Practical effect for applicants

• All e‑Visas issued on or after August 23, 2025 are valid for 120 days.
• Holders can spend up to 30 days inside Russia during each visit within that period.
• Applications filed before August 23, 2025 continue under the old rules.
• The list of eligible nationalities and standard border checkpoints remain unchanged.

Background and uptake

• The e‑Visa, launched at scale in August 2023, has already admitted more than 1.2 million visitors from over 60 countries.
• High‑use markets include China, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Turkey, India, and Estonia.
• Officials say the new flexibility aims to keep that momentum by giving travelers more time to explore, attend business meetings, and visit family and friends.

Policy updates, legal context, and border procedures

The July 23 decree and amendments under Federal Law No. 257‑FZ extend beyond validity and stays.

• The Kremlin confirmed a rule allowing border crossing outside official checkpoints if travelers receive prior authorization from the Federal Security Service (FSB).
• For regular travelers, entry remains through official checkpoints with normal control procedures.
• Officers may ask standard questions about plans, accommodations, and funds, but processes are the same as before.

Important change for minors

• Starting January 20, 2026, Russian citizens under 14 will need an international passport to cross the border.
• Birth certificates will no longer be accepted for these minors.
• Visitors traveling with Russian children should plan ahead to avoid delays at departure or arrival.

Additional tourism measures announced

• Some nationalities may be allowed to stay up to six months if they hold hotel bookings (up from a one‑month cap).
• A new “Trans‑Siberian Explorer” visa for select nationalities will allow multiple entries along the railway for up to 90 days.
• Plans for 500 new capsule hotels aim to keep costs down for longer trips.
• A digital nomad visa is planned for remote workers from select countries, permitting stays up to 12 months with proof of minimum income.

Border modernization

• In mid‑2025, Russia tested a digital pre‑entry system for visa‑free travelers requiring registration through the Gosuslugi RuID app before arrival.
• The pilot signals a shift toward more digital checks at the border over the coming years.

Impact on travelers and the tourism economy

Why the extra time matters

• A 16‑day cap left little room for unexpected changes or cross‑country travel.
• With a 30‑day stay and 120‑day validity, a visitor can enter, tour a region, exit to a nearby country, and return within the same e‑Visa window.
• That flexibility helps when events run longer than planned or family needs change mid‑trip.

Expected benefits

• Tourism analysts expect longer, more balanced itineraries—for example, adding nature trips, regional museums, or Black Sea breaks.
• Small businesses benefit from longer stays: regional hotels, restaurants, and day‑tour operators see more patronage.
• VisaVerge.com reports experts forecast an increase in average stay length of up to 73%, and an estimated $2 billion in extra tourism revenue per year if demand rebounds.

Government targets and business impact

• The government’s tourism strategy (approved in 2022 by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin) aims to raise Russia’s share of global tourism from 3% to 5% by 2030.
• Business travelers benefit from reduced risk of canceled meetings and costly last‑minute changes thanks to the multiple‑entry 30‑day allowance.
• Humanitarian, family care, and medical visits gain a more workable window.

Cautious implementation

• The changes do not widen the pool of eligible nationalities at this time, and border points remain the same.
• This steady approach extends time for those already covered while officials monitor flows and security.

Application process and practical tips

• The e‑Visa application itself is unchanged, and processing times remain similar.
• Applications can be filed through the official portal: Russian e‑Visa application portal.
• Applicants submit personal details, travel plans, and a photo, then wait for electronic approval.

Practical planning tips

1. Book flexible lodgings to take advantage of the longer stay.
2. Keep proof of bookings and a basic itinerary to ease border checks.
3. Remember that exiting and re‑entering within the 120‑day validity is allowed.
4. If traveling with Russian minors, check passport rules well ahead of January 20, 2026.

Future proposals under consideration

• Visa‑on‑arrival for certain markets.
• Lifting visa requirements for some countries.
• Long‑term multiple‑entry visas valid for up to two years.
• Faster approvals using digital risk‑checks.

Practical reminders and traveler scenarios

• Applications filed before August 23 continue under the prior rules—check original validity and stay on your approval.
• Those applying now will see the new terms on their e‑Visa.
• Carry the approval printout or a digital copy, proof of lodging, and a return plan to smooth entry.

Illustrative scenarios

• Family reunion across multiple cities: 30 days allows visits to two or more cities with a cushion for travel hiccups.
• Supplier audit that expands: a manager can extend meetings without reapplying.
• Trans‑Siberian trips: the new visa and capsule hotels encourage longer rail‑based itineraries.

Security and control

• The authority to allow border crossing outside regular points—with advance FSB approval—adds flexibility for special cases while maintaining control.
• The digital pre‑entry test suggests a future where more checks happen before boarding rather than only at arrival.

Key takeaway

Russia’s extended e‑Visa validity and longer stays are simple changes with large ripple effects: more time, more flexibility, and fewer forced trade‑offs in itineraries. For now, the basics—eligible nationalities, checkpoints, and application steps—stay the same. What differs is how long travelers can stay and what they can do once they arrive.