Foreign citizens have issued more than 30,000 electronic visas to Russia since the start of the project launched on 1 August. China, Estonia, India, Germany, Turkey and Germany are leading in the rating of countries where electronic visas are most popular. This was stated by the Consular Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The relevant visa can be obtained by citizens of 55 countries. It entitles the holder to enter the territory of Russia once for a visitor or business visit, as a tourist, or to participate in various events. Its validity period is 60 days from the date of registration with the permitted period of stay in Russia not exceeding 16 days.
“For the first incomplete month of the project’s functioning, almost 31 thousand such visas were issued. In the rating of countries where electronic visas are most popular, China, Estonia, India, Germany and Turkey are leading. About 14 thousand foreigners have already managed to use the issued visas, who entered mainly through the airports of the Moscow air zone, Pulkovo airport, as well as border checkpoints in Ivangorod and Primorsky Krai”, – reported the consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Telegram-channel.
The department emphasised that it expects the popularity of e-visas to grow as logistical issues, which remain a major deterrent to tourist traffic from abroad, are resolved.
“The principal deterrents for increasing the volume of inbound tourism at this stage are still complex and expensive transport logistics for tourists from those countries with which there is no direct air communication, as well as the impossibility of using on the territory of Russia bank cards issued abroad,” the department added.
It is noted that since the beginning of 2023, foreigners have been issued more than 580 thousand “traditional” visas on forms pasted into passports.
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