Russia's e-Visa Overhaul: Validity Cut to 45 Days, But Stays Could Get Longer
Updated: 47 minutes ago
MOSCOW, 2 November 2026 — Russia is considering a fundamental redesign of its electronic visa system — one that would make the document expire faster while allowing travellers to remain in the country for the entire period it stays valid.
A draft law published on Russia's official regulatory proposals portal would amend Article 25.16-1 of Federal Law No. 114-FZ, the statute governing entry to and exit from the Russian Federation. The proposal has not taken effect.
The Core Trade-Off
Under current rules, an e-Visa is valid for 120 days from issuance and permits a stay of 30 days from the date of entry. The two clocks run separately: a traveller can enter at any point in the 120-day window, but must leave within 30 days of arrival.
The draft collapses that distinction.
Current | Proposed | |
Validity | 120 days | 45 days |
Maximum stay | 30 days from entry | Entire validity period |
Entries | Single | Single |
Entry window | Wide | Narrow |
The permitted stay would become the visa's validity — meaning a traveller could remain in Russia until the document expires.
The consequence is timing-dependent. Someone entering immediately after receiving the e-Visa could stay nearly 45 days. Someone entering 30 days after issuance would have roughly 15 days left.
What Changes at the Border
Currently, e-Visa holders may enter and exit only through a government-approved list of crossings — dozens of airports, seaports and land points published on the official e-Visa portal.
The draft law would remove the legal provision imposing that restriction. If adopted, e-Visa holders could use any crossing open to international passenger traffic.
For travellers heading beyond Moscow and St Petersburg, that could matter. Routes to remote destinations — such as the Lena Pillars Nature Park in the Sakha Republic, where rock formations rise 100 metres above the river — would become easier to arrange if regional entry points begin accepting e-Visas.
The proposal does not specify how expanded access would operate in practice.
Transit Becomes a Permitted Purpose
The draft would add transit to the list of authorised purposes. Currently the e-Visa covers tourism, private visits, business travel and participation in scientific, cultural, political, economic or sporting events.
Travellers passing through Russia en route to a third country would need a valid visa or right of entry for their destination. Supporting documentation requirements are not detailed in the draft.
Existing Visas Are Protected
Visas issued before any new law takes effect would retain the current conditions: 120-day validity, 30-day maximum stay, and the requirement to use designated crossings.
The draft states the law would enter into force 90 days after official publication. No publication date has been set.
Why Now
The proposal follows a period of active revision.
In August 2025, validity was extended from 60 to 120 days and the permitted stay from 16 to 30 days. On 14 October 2026, the fee rose from 202 to 238 UAE dirhams — approximately €58.
Demand has held. The Consular Department reports 361,115 e-Visas issued between 1 January and 12 October 2026, led by German nationals (57,233), followed by Turkey (55,818), India (37,814), China (30,922) and Estonia (20,391).
What Travellers Should Do
Apply close to departure. Under the proposed rules, an e-Visa issued 45 days before travel would leave no usable window.
Plan dates precisely. The 120-day window tolerates uncertainty. A 45-day window does not.
Longer stays become possible. Entering immediately after issuance allows nearly 45 days — 15 more than currently permitted.
Existing visas remain valid on current terms.
Until any change is adopted, current rules apply. Applications continue through the official portal.
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Quick Reference
Item | Current | Proposed |
Validity | 120 days | 45 days |
Maximum stay | 30 days from entry | Full validity period |
Border crossings | Approved list | Any international crossing |
Transit | Not permitted | Permitted |
Existing visas | — | Retain current rules |
Implementation | In force | 90 days after publication |
For the latest immigration updates, visit: visasupdate.com/nblog/category/russia
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