Summary: Canada has stopped processing visa applications inside Russia, a change made public on January 28, 2026. Russian nationals seeking a Canadian visa must now travel to submit biometrics and complete processing in nearby countries such as Armenia (Yerevan), Georgia (Tbilisi), or Kazakhstan (Almaty and Astana), adding time and extra costs.

Canada visa processing for Russian nationals is no longer being handled within Russia, following a decision that was made public on January 28, 2026. The shift means applicants must leave the country to complete their visa procedures, creating new logistical steps for those planning trips to Canada for tourism, business, or other short-term purposes.

Although Canada did not present diplomatic tensions with Russia as the central reason for the change, the move comes amid broader geopolitical developments that have increasingly shaped visa access and cross-border travel. For many travelers, the immediate impact is practical: more planning, more travel, and higher out-of-pocket expenses just to submit an application.

Canada halts visa processing inside Russia

The update includes the temporary closure of Canada’s Visa Application Centers (VACs) in Russia and a pause on in-country processing for Russian applicants. Previously, applicants could submit materials and complete steps in Russia, including in major cities such as Moscow, where visa applications were routinely handled.

With the suspension in place, Russian nationals who want to apply must now travel to other countries where Canadian visa services remain available. The article identifies Armenia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan as key alternatives where processing continues to operate.

  • Armenia: Yerevan
  • Georgia: Tbilisi
  • Kazakhstan: Almaty and Astana

Added costs and planning burdens for applicants

Requiring applicants to travel abroad changes the overall cost of applying. Beyond the visa itself, travelers must now account for flights, accommodation, and other trip-related expenses needed to reach a functioning VAC and complete the process.

Depending on where an applicant departs from and the time of year, the additional travel costs are estimated in the source at 30,000 to 100,000 RUB ($535–$1,785 CAD). The article notes this may be particularly difficult for individuals already dealing with economic pressure.

Travelers waiting at a visa application center with passports and documents for Canada visa processing
Russian applicants now need to travel to nearby countries to access Canadian visa processing services after VAC operations in Russia were suspended.

Canada cites operational and financial reasons

While the decision arrives in a politically sensitive environment, the Canadian government has framed the suspension as an operational and financial measure. According to the source, the change is linked to efforts to modernize visa operations and reduce the costs of maintaining international visa services.

Even so, the closure underscores how quickly international disputes and shifting diplomatic relationships can translate into real-world barriers for travelers, including fewer convenient application routes and longer planning timelines.

Wider trend: tighter visa rules for Russian citizens

The article places Canada’s move in a broader international context. It says the United States and several European Union countries have also tightened visa-related policies for Russian citizens following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

According to the source, the United States has suspended immigrant visa services for Russia, while short-term tourist and business visas are not affected. The European Union, meanwhile, has introduced stricter procedures, including ending multiple-entry visas for Russians and applying greater scrutiny to applications.

Practical travel tips for Russian nationals applying for Canada visas

For Russian nationals still planning travel to Canada, the source recommends preparing for a more complex application journey, including selecting an alternative processing location and allowing extra time for the process.

  • Check alternative processing locations in Armenia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan, and plan ahead for travel outside Russia.
  • Budget for added expenses on top of visa fees, including flights and accommodation; the source lists visa fees ranging between 185 and 240 CAD.
  • Expect possible delays and monitor Canadian consulates in neighboring countries for processing-time updates and requirements.
  • Stay alert for rapid policy changes as diplomatic conditions can affect visa rules with little notice.

Potential impact on tourism and travel demand

The article argues that visa service suspensions can ripple through the travel sector, influencing everything from flight bookings to hotel stays. It also suggests Canada could see fewer visitors from Russia over time, including those traveling for leisure and education, given the added hurdles now required just to apply.

For travelers, the immediate takeaway is that a Canada trip now requires more than meeting visa requirements—it may also require arranging a separate international trip to submit the application. For the industry, the change is another example of how visa access can tighten quickly, reshaping demand and travel planning across multiple markets.