E-visa for Far East Regions
The Russian Far East is the extreme eastern territory of Russia, between Lake Baikal in Eastern Siberia and the Pacific Ocean.
While the majority of foreign citizens are required to get a visa to visit Russia, citizens of 53 eligible countries are able to get a single-entry eVisa for the Far East District to visit this territory for short stays.
This Russia eVisa was implemented in August 2017 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to expedite the visa process for the territory. It’s part of the ‘Digital Economy’ Russian plan that aims, among other goals, at facilitating and streamlining travel authorizations to boost international tourism. The more recent Kaliningrad Oblast E-visa is also part of the programme, and so is the electronic visa for St Petersburg and Leningrad region.
eVisas allow foreigners to apply for their Russian travel authorization entirely online in minutes, from anywhere in the world. Passport copies, application form, and other documents required for the visa can be submitted online.
What Is the eVisa for Far East Countries?
The eVisa for Far East Countries is an electronic travel authorization required for citizens of eligible countries traveling to regions in the remote eastern territory of Russia for short stays.
The visa allows a maximum stay of 8 days within a 30-day period from the date of issue, and is available for the following purposes:
- Business
- Tourism
- Humanitarian (for cultural, sporting, scientific or technological motives).
The regions and the respective ports of entry for which the visa for Far East countries can be used are as follows:
| Region | Port of entry |
|---|---|
| Primorsky Krai | Vladivostok International Airport Vladivostok sea passenger terminal Posyet sea port Zarubino sea port Khasan Station railway checkpoint Makhalino station railway checkpoint Grodekovo Station railway checkpoint Poltavka road checkpoint Turiy Rog road checkpoint |
| Kamchatka Krai | Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky sea port Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport |
| Sakhalin Oblast | Korsakov sea port Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport |
| Amur Oblast | Blagoveshchensk Airport |
| Khabarovsk Krai | Khabarovsk Novy Airport |
| Chukotka Autonomous Okrug | Ugolny Airport (Anadyr) |
| Zabaykalsky Krai | Kadala Airport (Chita) |
| Buryatia | Baikal International Airport (Ulan-Ude) |
The Visa for Russian Far East can be presented at multiple ports of entry in each region, including at various airports and seaports, as well as at rail and road checkpoints. However, the traveler must leave through a checkpoint in the same constituent entity of Russia as the one through which they entered.
Which countries can apply for eVisa for Far East countries?
Citizens of 53 countries can access the online application to get the Russia eVisa for the Far East, including EU member states. The complete list of eligible countries is as follows:
- Austria
- Andorra
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- China
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- France
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Iceland
- Italy
- Kuwait
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Northern Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Poland
- Portugal
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Turkey
- Vatican City
The Russia visa for Far East allows the traveler entry and freedom of movement within the territory of the region of port of entry, with the exception of territories, organizations, and facilities for which special permission is required in accordance with Russian federal law.
If holders of the eVisa Russia wish to travel outside of the aforementioned regions to visit other parts of the Russian Federation, it will be necessary to apply for a tourist visa for Russia in advance.
How to apply for the eVisa for Russia?
The eVisa Russia for Far East regions is available through a simple application online that only takes minutes to complete. The maximum processing time for the eVisa is 4 days. Eligible travelers can submit the application between 20 days up to 4 days prior to the intended entry date. The validity and period of permitted stay in the regions cannot be extended.
Unlike the application for the Russia tourist visa, supporting documentation such as invitations, accommodation bookings and purchased tickets for events, etc, is not required for the eVisa for Russia Far East to be approved.
However, there are still some Russia visa requirements for the Far East the traveler must meet in order to be eligible to apply, including providing a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of application and recent photos. It is also necessary for the applicant to obtain medical insurance coverage valid for the duration of the stay in Russia in order for the eVisa for Far East countries to be approved.