Russia Raises e-Visa Fees by Nearly 18% as Express Consular Charges Double
Updated: 1 hour ago
MOSCOW, October 15, 2026 — Russia has increased the cost of its electronic visa by nearly 18% and sharply raised fees for expedited consular visas, in a revision that took effect on October 14, 2026.
The changes were identified through applications processed on the official Russian e-Visa portal by VisasNews and Action-Visas. Until October 13, the e-Visa cost 202 UAE dirhams (approximately €49). Since October 14, the same visa costs 238 AED — a rise of 36 dirhams, or nearly 18%. The payment is now visible in Emirati dirhams on the portal, a foreign-currency arrangement shaped by international financial sanctions that complicate banking transactions with Russia.
A Broader Revision of Consular Fees
The e-Visa increase is part of a wider overhaul of Russian consular fees. The changes stem from Government Decree No. 1292 of October 2, 2026, which amends the 2010 consular fee schedule. The decree was implemented on October 14, 2026, and confirmed by the Russian Consulate General in Toronto on October 13.
For European nationals, the impact is most pronounced in expedited processing. Standard tourist and business visa fees for normal processing remain unchanged. But express fees have doubled across all entry categories.
Visa Type | Normal Processing | Express (Before Oct 14) | Express (From Oct 14) |
Single entry | €80 | €160 | €320 |
Double entry | €128 | €256 | €512 |
Multiple entry | €240 | €480 | €960 |
The standard procedure takes 4 to 20 working days. The express procedure promises a decision within 3 working days.
Work Visas Hit Hardest
Work visas face a more severe adjustment. Under the new schedule published by the Russian Consulate General in Strasbourg, normal processing fees have doubled, and express fees have quadrupled.
Work Visa Type | Normal Processing | Express Processing |
Single entry | €160 | €640 |
Double entry | €256 | €1,024 |
Multiple entry | €480 | €1,920 |
Student visas are exempt from the steepest increases. Their fees remain fixed at €80, €128 or €240 depending on the number of entries, with express fees of €160, €256 and €480 respectively.
Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Tourism Committee Sergey Krivonosov told TASS that the higher express fees reflect the priority processing and additional organisational capacity required for expedited service.
A Second Revision in Two Years
This is not the first time Russia has adjusted visa fees for European travellers. In January 2024, following the EU's suspension of the visa facilitation agreement, Russia removed preferential rates and increased the standard single-entry visa from €35 to €80.
That earlier change coincided with the broader deterioration in EU-Russia relations. The current revision arrives as the European Council considers further visa restrictions on Russian citizens, including proposals to ban tourist visas and restrict travel for former combatants.
What Remains Unchanged for the e-Visa
Despite the fee increase, the e-Visa's core conditions remain the same:
Validity: 120 days from issuance
Maximum stay: 30 days
Entries: Single entry only
Processing time: Up to 4 calendar days
The e-Visa is accessible to citizens of 64 countries, such as France, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, India, and Mexico. However, individuals with US passports are ineligible and need to apply via a Russian embassy or consulate.
For eligible travellers, the e-Visa remains the most economical option for short stays, eliminating the need to submit a passport to a diplomatic mission. Even with the increase, it is still substantially cheaper than an expedited consular visa.
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Quick Reference Summary
Item | Detail |
Effective Date | October 14, 2026 |
e-Visa Fee Change | 202 AED → 238 AED (+18%) |
Express Consular Visas | Doubled for tourist/business; quadrupled for work visas |
Standard Processing | 4–20 working days |
Express Processing | 3 working days |
Legal Basis | Government Decree No. 1292 of October 2, 2026 |
e-Visa Validity | 120 days from issuance |
Maximum Stay | 30 days |
Eligible Countries | 64 |
Official e-Visa Portal |
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