A Free Russian E-Visa to visit St. Petersburg is Now Available for Visitors from Over 50 Countries. That's the good news, since St. Petersburg is a fantastic European city to visit (see my 10 Travel Tips for St. Petersburg, Russia). The bad news is that the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and some other countries are not among the eligible countries.
On the other hand, citizens of many European and Middle Eastern countries, India, Indonesia, China, and Japan are eligible for these new E-Visas, which are free and permits a visit of up to 8 days within the visa's 30 day validity period.
To apply, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs St. Petersburg E-Visa Page.
Eligible Countries for a Russian E-Visa for St. Petersburg + Leningrad Oblast
- Austria
- Andorra
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- China (including Taiwan)
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- The Czech Republic
- Democratic People's Republic of Korea
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- The Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Turkey
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Vatican
FAQ
Are E-Visas Only for Tourism or Also for Business?
Per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Web site, E-Visas can be an ordinary business visa, ordinary tourist visa, or ordinary humanitarian visa (for sports, cultural, scientific and technological ties purposes). E-Visas are strictly single entry visas; if a visa for a different purpose or for multiple entries is needed then a regular visa must be applied for.
When Can Eligible Visitors Apply for an E-Visa for St. Petersburg?
Visitors can apply via the Web site no earlier than 20 days and no later than 4 days prior to intended arrival in Russia.
How Long Does the Approval Process Take?
The approval process takes no longer than 4 calendar days, including weekends and holidays.
Do I Need an Invitation or Hotel Confirmation or Other Documentation?
No invitation or hotel confirmation is needed to apply. Foreign visitors visiting Russia with E-Visas are required to have medical insurance valid within Russia for the duration of their stay.
If you're a citizen of an eligible country, do you plan to use a Russian E-Visa to visit St. Petersburg?
Recommended Posts
Four Seasons St. Petersburg Russia Review and Video
Birch Restaurant Review, St. Petersburg Russia
Cat Cafe Review: Great Khachapuri in St. Petersburg
Best Luxury Cruise Offers: Crystal, Regent, Silversea
If you enjoyed this, join 200,000+ readers: follow TravelSort on Twitter or like us on Facebook to be alerted to new posts.
Subscribe to TravelSort on YouTube and TravelSort on Instagram for travel inspiration.
Become a TravelSort Client and Book 5-Star Hotels with Virtuoso or Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits