One’s experience of applying for a visa can be long, grueling, and nerve-wracking, which is probably why most people opt to go on a holiday in countries where they can enter visa-free. But what if a top destination like St. Petersburg relaxes its visa application process, would you go?
Joining the world’s roster of countries offering e-visas, Russia will soon accept online electronic visa applications from 53 countries—including the Philippines and Singapore!
This new rule is under President Vladimir Putin’s new orders in an effort to collect more revenue in annual tourism by the end of his presidential term in 2024.
The 30-day e-visa program will cover St. Petersburg and the surrounding Leningard region, and visitors will be able to stay in Russia for eight days within their visa’s 30-day validity period.
To apply, potential tourists must apply for electronic visas on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s special website no later than four days prior to their arrival.
The best part? Applicants will not be charged a consular fee. Yep, you read it right—applying for an electronic visa is absolutely free!
Before you pack your bags and book your ticket to St. Petersburg, though, make sure you are a passport-holder of one of the following countries:
Austria
Andorra
Bahrain
Belgium
Bulgaria
Vatican
Hungary
Germany
Greece
Denmark
India
Indonesia
Iran
Ireland
Iceland
Spain
Italy
Qatar
Cyprus
China
Taiwan
North Korea
Kuwait
Latvia
Lithuania
Lichtenstein
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
The Netherlands
Norway
Oman
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San-Marino
Saudi Arabia
North Macedonia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Turkey
The Philippines
Finland
France
Croatia
Czech Republic
Switzerland
Sweden
Estonia
Japan
Happy travels!