Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa
Apply for the Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa through the official MFA portal or DoVisa — KDmid processes e‑visas within 4 calendar days; we check your application and email the grant notification.
What Is the Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa?
The Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa is a region-specific electronic visa issued by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for short tourist, business and humanitarian visits to St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Introduced as part of Russia’s unified e‑visa rollout, the electronic visa replaced some paper invitation requirements and allows eligible nationals to apply online without visiting an embassy. The MFA site and the dedicated e‑visa portal are the official channels for submission.
Applications are lodged on the official portal (electronic-visa.kdmid.ru) or can be submitted via DoVisa — we check passport data, photo and insurance before sending the application to the MFA and notify you when the grant appears on the portal or arrives by email. After approval you receive an official grant notification which you must print or save — the portal instructs applicants to present the printed notification to immigration on arrival.
The Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa is an entry visa — it is not a residence permit or a work visa. The unified e‑visa is generally single-entry, valid for 120 days from issue with a permitted stay of up to 30 days from date of entry. The MFA also requires applicants to hold travel medical insurance valid in Russia for the period of stay; passports must meet the stated validity rules. The e‑visa cannot be used to enter outside the designated checkpoints listed by the government.
For full entry rules see Russian Federation visa information and the official MFA portal at electronic-visa.kdmid.ru. Ready to start? Apply for your Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa now.
Who Needs the Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa?
Who Needs It
- Foreign nationals eligible under the Government of the Russian Federation list who plan to visit St. Petersburg or Leningrad region for tourism, business, humanitarian or cultural reasons
- Travelers entering and clearing immigration at an approved checkpoint in the St. Petersburg or Leningrad region
- Each traveler must have their own e‑visa application — infants and minors require individual applications
Who Is Exempt
- Russian nationals and holders of Russian passports
- Diplomatic and official passport holders on government business
- Crew members on active duty (airline or vessel crew)
- Transit passengers who remain airside and do not clear Russian immigration
Russian Federation Entry Requirements & Restrictions
Passport Validity
Your passport must be machine‑readable and have at least 6 months validity from the date you submit the application — the MFA website confirms this requirement.
Travel Medical Insurance
A travel medical insurance policy valid in the Russian Federation is required for the duration of your stay; the MFA portal specifies the policy must be valid for the entire period covered by the e‑visa application.
Photo & Document Uploads
You will upload a recent digital passport‑style photo and a clear scan/photo of your passport data page. The MFA site lists formatting and facial‑pose rules — keep files ready before starting your application.
Customs & Prohibited Items
Russia prohibits importing narcotics, extremist material and certain animal products; temporary bans and sanctions also restrict some food and goods — check official customs notices before travel.
Registration of Stay
Foreign visitors must register their place of stay with local authorities within 7 working days of arrival if required — private accommodation hosts or hotels normally handle registration for guests.
Travel Tips for Russian Federation Visitors
St. Petersburg runs on Moscow Time (GMT+3). The local currency is the Russian ruble (RUB); cards are widely used in cities but carry some cash because USD is not universally accepted and card access can be limited in certain areas. The official language is Russian; English is commonly spoken in hotels, major sights and tourist services in St. Petersburg, but basic Russian phrases help outside central districts.
- Plan registration early: hotels usually register you, but if staying in private rentals confirm who will complete the 7‑working‑day registration.
- Print your grant: keep a printed copy of the e‑visa grant and your insurance — some immigration counters prefer paper over phone screens.
- Bank & sanctions note: carry backup cash and a second card — some international card networks may face restrictions in parts of Russia.
- Local SIMs: buy a local SIM at the airport to receive SMS confirmations and make registration easier.
- Transport: Pulkovo Airport transfers to the city take 30–60 minutes depending on traffic — confirm your transfer time with your hotel.
- Museum tips: reserve tickets for the Hermitage in advance — timed entries sell out in summer.
- Respect local rules: avoid photographing military sites or border facilities and follow guidance from local authorities.
- Carry documents: always have a copy of your grant, passport page and insurance while moving around the city.
"Done in ten minutes on my lunch break — the application was really easy and the grant came by email the next day."
"Applied for the Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa for a work trip. Filled in passport details and insurance, uploaded the photo, and the approval showed up in my inbox in a few days — saved me a consulate visit."
"Booked a weekend in St. Petersburg and used DoVisa to check my application. The Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa arrived as a PDF I could print; airport staff at Pulkovo scanned it and we went straight through immigration."
"Quick process and clear instructions. Photo upload required a couple of tries but support pointed me to the right crop size and the visa arrived before my flight."
"Great service — my wife and I applied together and the system kept both applications organised. We printed the grant and the hotel handled registration on arrival."
"Process was smooth but the portal timed out once while I uploaded documents. Support replied and we re‑submitted; visa granted in the government window."
"I did everything from my phone at the airport lounge — quick confirmation, printed it at the hotel and was through immigration with no fuss."
"The instructions were straightforward but I didn't get the confirmation email at first — logged back into the portal and downloaded the grant myself. Worked fine at Pulkovo."
"Took three tries to get my passport photo accepted and support took two days to respond. I eventually got the visa but the delays were stressful before my trip."
"Did the application for a family holiday — painless process and useful reminders about insurance and registration. The grant arrived in time and immigration at Pulkovo scanned it from my phone."
"Done in ten minutes on my lunch break — the application was really easy and the grant came by email the next day."
"Applied for the Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa for a work trip. Filled in passport details and insurance, uploaded the photo, and the approval showed up in my inbox in a few days — saved me a consulate visit."
"Booked a weekend in St. Petersburg and used DoVisa to check my application. The Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa arrived as a PDF I could print; airport staff at Pulkovo scanned it and we went straight through immigration."
Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa: Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Apply for Your Russia Saint Petersburg eVisa?
Apply online through the official MFA portal or via DoVisa — applications accepted 86–4 days before travel. We check your files and notify you when the grant is issued.
Check Price & Apply NowSources & References
- Processing of an e‑visa — Consular Department of the MFA of the Russian Federation
- Electronic visa to Russia — MFA (English landing)
- E-visa to Russia — UAE Consulate guidance
- Russia travel advice — Government of Canada
- Russia Travel Advisory — U.S. Department of State
- IATA — Office Addresses & Russia (airport codes reference)
- Russian visa application overview — third‑party guide
- Russian sanctions and customs updates — Customs Support