Russia's electronic visa has become more expensive once again. Following an increase of nearly 18% in mid-October, the fee for obtaining an e-Visa has risen from 238 to 256 United Arab Emirates dirhams (AED), or approximately $70.
Travelers planning to visit Russia with an electronic visa will once again have to pay more.
After an initial increase in Russian e-Visa fees on October 14, 2026, VisasNews and visa services agency Action-Visas identified another price hike on Thursday, November 12, while processing a payment through the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official application portal.
The amount charged was still AED 238 (approximately $65) on November 10, but has now climbed to AED 256 (approximately $70), an increase of 7.6% in just a few days.
Russian e-Visa fees have risen nearly 27% since October
The latest increase brings the cumulative rise in Russian e-Visa fees to 26.7% in less than a month.
The amounts charged for electronic visa applications have changed as follows:
- Through October 13, 2026: AED 202 (approximately $55);
- October 14 to November 10: AED 238 (approximately $65), an increase of 17.8%;
- As of November 12: AED 256 (approximately $70), a further increase of 7.6%.
Overall, the amount charged has risen by AED 54, or approximately $15, since mid-October.
The new pricing has also been confirmed by GKD Global FZE LLC, a UAE-based company that handles payments associated with Russian e-Visa applications.
According to its published pricing information, the provider now lists the following fees:
- AED 256 (approximately $70) for adults;
- AED 201 (approximately $55) for children.
These charges are described as document processing and verification fees.
Although the new amounts have been confirmed, Russian authorities have not issued a specific statement clarifying whether the latest increase reflects higher consular fees or adjustments to additional processing and payment charges.
The change comes amid a broader rise in Russian visa costs. Since October 14, expedited processing fees for tourist and business visas have doubled for European nationals, while work visa fees have also seen substantial increases.
Russia’s e-Visa is available to 64 nationalities, but entry points are restricted
Despite the recent price increases, the rules for obtaining and using a Russian electronic visa through the official evisa.kdmid.ru portal remain unchanged.
The e-Visa is currently available to citizens of 64 countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Italy, Turkey, India, Japan, Indonesia, and Mexico.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides the full list of eligible nationalities.
The electronic visa allows travel for tourism, private visits, and business purposes, as well as participation in certain scientific, cultural, economic, and sporting events.
Its main conditions are:
- Validity: 120 days from the date of issuance;
- Maximum stay: 30 days, without exceeding the visa’s expiration date;
- Entries: Single entry;
- Processing time: No more than four calendar days.
However, e-Visa holders may only enter and leave Russia through specifically authorized border checkpoints.
These include Moscow’s main international airports (Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo), along with airports serving St. Petersburg, Kazan, Vladivostok, Kaliningrad, and Sochi, as well as several land border crossings, railway checkpoints, and seaports.
Travelers should consult the official list of authorized border checkpoints before departure, as inclusion on the list does not necessarily mean a crossing is currently open to international travelers.
Russia is also considering changes to its e-Visa program
Alongside the recent fee increases, Moscow is considering changes to how its electronic visa system operates.
As VisasNews reported on November 2, a draft law prepared by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposes several significant changes.
The most notable would reduce the e-Visa’s validity from 120 to 45 days, while allowing travelers to remain in Russia until their electronic visa expires.
Unlike the current system, which limits stays to 30 days, the proposed changes could therefore allow visits of up to 45 days.
However, the actual length of stay would depend on when the traveler enters Russia. For example, someone arriving 30 days after their visa was issued would have only about 15 days remaining before it expires.
The draft legislation also proposes two additional changes designed to make travel easier:
- Expanded entry options, potentially allowing travelers to use border checkpoints open to international traffic beyond those currently authorized for e-Visa holders;
- Permission to transit through Russia using an electronic visa, something not currently included among the permitted purposes of travel.
The proposal also includes transitional provisions intended to preserve the existing conditions for e-Visas issued before the reform takes effect.
These measures remain proposals, however. No implementation date has been announced, and the draft provides for the changes to take effect 90 days after official publication, if the legislation is ultimately adopted.
Until then, Russian electronic visas will continue to be issued under the existing rules.
VisasNews Take
In less than a month, the cost of Russia’s e-Visa has risen from AED 202 to AED 256, or approximately $55 to $70, representing a cumulative increase of nearly 27%. This second price hike, identified during an actual application and confirmed by payment provider GKD Global’s published pricing, follows recent increases in Russian consular visa fees. While the current e-Visa requirements remain unchanged, the proposed reform could significantly alter the document’s validity period, permitted length of stay, and authorized entry points. Travelers should therefore pay close attention to both the cost and conditions of obtaining a Russian electronic visa.