Russia Expands E-Visa Program to Kenya, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe
E-visa streamlines travel for new eligible African countries
The Russian Federation has announced the expansion of its electronic visa program to include Kenya, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe.
This move, announced by the Russian Foreign Ministry in December 2024, aims to simplify travel to Russia for citizens of these African nations.
According to state media (TASS), Russian authorities are actively working to expand the list of countries eligible for e-visas, with plans to add more than 10 additional countries.
E-Visa Eligibility and Application
The e-visa allows for a single entry into Russia for various purposes, including guest (private) visits, business, tourism, and participation in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic, and sports events.
“An application for an electronic visa must be submitted via the website no later than four calendar days before the expected date of entry into the Russian Federation,” as outlined by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“A digital photograph of the face and a scan of the page with the data of the machine-readable passport of a foreign citizen must be attached to the application. No other documents are required to obtain an e-visa […] the fee should be paid for a visa (via the same website).”
The visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issuance, with a maximum stay of 16 days in Russia.
