E-visas to be available for St. Petersburg, Leningrad region from Oct. 1

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Russia will soon begin issuing e-visas to eligible foreign nationals traveling to St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.

What does the change mean? Beginning Oct. 1, eligible foreign nationals will be able to apply for single-entry e-visas for business, tourism or humanitarian visits. The visas will be valid for 30 calendar days with an eight-day limit on a visitor’s duration of stay. No fees will be assessed for e-visa issuance. Authorities have not yet established which nationalities will be eligible for e-visas, but the list of countries will likely be similar to the list of 53 countries for an e-visa program launched earlier this year in Kaliningrad.

• Implementation time frame: Oct. 1.
• Visas/permits affected: E-visas for business, tourism or humanitarian visits.  
• Who is affected: Eligible foreign nationals traveling to St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.
• Business impact: The change will save business travelers the time it takes to obtain a visa.
• Next steps: Between now and Oct. 1, Russian authorities will establish which nationalities are eligible for the e-visas and which points of entry will be included in the program.

Additional information: The St. Petersburg-Leningrad program will be launched ahead of a nationwide e-visa program expected to take effect Jan. 1 and following the implementation of the Kaliningrad e-visa program. The is available to nationals of 53 countries, including most EU countries but not the United Kingdom or the United States.

Analysis & Comments: The e-visa program will ease business, tourist and humanitarian travel for eligible foreign nationals visiting St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Authorities have not yet said which nationals will be eligible, and Deloitte will provide more information as it becomes available.

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