Can tourists still get a Russian visa?
“Tourists cannot get a Russian visa any more.”
Yes. Russia runs an online e-visa for citizens of a long list of countries, alongside the traditional consular tourist visa, and both are open to ordinary travellers.
The numbers · Checked September 2026
Online application
The unified e-visa is applied for through the official state portal, with no consulate appointment
Russian e-visa portalDozens of countries
The e-visa eligibility list covers most of Europe, much of Asia and parts of Latin America
Russian e-visa portal, eligibilityConsular route
The traditional tourist visa still exists for travellers outside the e-visa list or needing longer stays
Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Where the impression comes from
Consulates in several Western countries cut staff and appointment slots sharply after 2022, so the process got slower and harder to book. Slower is not closed.
What this actually means for you
Start with the official portal and check whether your passport is on the e-visa list. If it is, the application is a form, a photo and a fee, and you never speak to a consulate. If it is not, book the consular appointment early, because slots in some Western capitals are the real bottleneck.
Rules on stay length, entry points and permitted purposes change with little notice. Read them on the state portal on the day you apply, not from a blog post — including this one.
- •Apply well ahead of the flight, not after booking it.
- •The e-visa specifies which border crossings you may use — check yours.
- •Insurance and an itinerary are commonly requested; have them ready.
What is genuinely harder
Paying the fee, for one, given the card situation. And the paperwork chain — flights, insurance, accommodation — has to be arranged in an order that satisfies the application without leaving you out of pocket if it is refused.
What is true in the claim
Consular capacity in several Western countries genuinely shrank, waiting times are longer, and the process rewards patience. None of that amounts to visas being unavailable.
Common questions
Does Russia issue e-visas in 2026?
Yes, through the official state e-visa portal, for citizens of a long eligibility list, with no consulate visit required.
How long does a Russian tourist visa take?
The e-visa is measured in days; the consular route depends on appointment availability, which is the slow part in several Western capitals.
Can Americans get a Russian visa?
The rules differ by citizenship and change often. Check the official portal for your passport rather than relying on a summary.
