Russia: mandatory electronic travel authorization required starting June 30 for visa-free travelers
Russia is modernizing its border controls: starting June 30, 2025, all foreign nationals eligible for visa-free entry will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization in the form of a personalized QR code.
In line with other major international destinations, Russia is strengthening its border security through digital means. A new electronic travel authorization, represented by a QR code, will soon become mandatory for travelers entering the country without a visa.
Foreign nationals entering Russia visa-free must register and submit an electronic entry request at least 72 hours prior to arrival. The application can be submitted through Russia’s official online public services portal, Gosuslugi, or via the upcoming mobile app “ruID”, which is currently under development.
This reform will officially take effect on June 30, 2025, for a one-year pilot period ending June 30, 2026. After the trial phase, authorities will determine whether to make the system permanent, expand it, or modify it.
However, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), citing the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, tourists without a QR code will not be turned away at the Russian border. The electronic travel authorization request will remain voluntary for foreign visitors until the system is fully operational.
Who needs an electronic travel authorization to enter Russia?
Announced in March 2025, the electronic travel authorization applies to all foreign nationals who are exempt from a visa to enter Russia, regardless of the entry point—land, air, or sea. This follows a pilot phase that has been in effect since December 2024 at select airports and border crossings.
Upon arrival, foreign travelers may be subject to biometric screening, which can include facial photography and collecting fingerprints.
Citizens of several countries may enter Russia without a visa for a limited stay—usually between 14 and 90 days, depending on bilateral agreements.
Nationals of former Soviet countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Ukraine) can stay in Russia visa-free for up to 90 days within a one-year period.
Russia has also signed visa waiver agreements with several countries in Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. These visa-free stays are strictly time-limited:
- 90 days: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Venezuela, etc.
- 60 days: South Korea, Dominican Republic, Cape Verde, etc.
- 30 days: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Thailand, Mongolia, Laos, Montenegro, Botswana, etc.
- 14 days: Hong Kong, Brunei, Nauru, etc.
Who is not affected by the new requirement?
The new regulation does not apply to travelers who already hold a Russian visa, nor to the following categories:
- Citizens of Belarus
- Children under 6 years old
- Diplomats and staff of diplomatic missions or consular offices in Russia, along with their family members
- Employees of international organizations accredited in Russia and their families
Originally Published At—Visanews
