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Russia: mandatory electronic travel authorization required starting June 30 for visa-free travelers

Who Needs the New Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?

All foreign nationals entering Russia visa-free—by land, air, or sea—must obtain an ETA with a personalized QR code, at least 72 hours before travel.

Exceptions (ETA Not Required For):

  • Visa holders

  • Citizens of Belarus

  • Children under 6 years old

  • Diplomats and their families

  • Employees of international organizations accredited in Russia and their families

Countries Eligible for Visa-Free Entry (and therefore ETA)

Up to 90 Days:

  • Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

  • Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, UAE, Israel, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Venezuela, etc.

Up to 60 Days:

  • South Korea, Dominican Republic, Cape Verde, etc.

Up to 30 Days:

  • Bosnia and Herzegovina, Thailand, Mongolia, Laos, Montenegro, Botswana, etc.

Up to 14 Days:

  • Hong Kong, Brunei, Nauru, etc.

Key Dates

  • June 30, 2025: ETA becomes available for all visa-free nationals

  • June 30, 2026: End of the pilot period

  • During the pilot year, submission of ETA is voluntary, and tourists will not be denied entry without it.

How to Apply for ETA

You can apply in two ways:

1. Via the “ruID” Mobile App (Available by June 24, 2025)

  • Register or log in using Gosuslugi account

  • Submit the ETA request no earlier than 90 days and no later than 72 hours before travel

    • Emergency cases: Apply at least 4 hours in advance

  • Enter:

    • Travel purpose and stay duration

    • Destinations

    • Info about accompanying children

  • Upload:

    • Facial photo

    • ID document photo

    • Voice recording

  • Receive QR code once verified

2. Via Gosuslugi Web Portal

  • Sign in or create an account

  • Fill in the same travel details

  • Upload a photo for biometric verification

  • Get notified upon approval

Note: Biometric data is mandatory. No QR code will be issued without successful verification.

Biometric Screening Upon Entry

Travelers may undergo:

  • Facial photo capture

  • Fingerprinting

Multilingual Support

The “ruID” app will be available in:

  • English

  • Russian

  • Armenian

  • Kazakh

  • Kyrgyz

  • Tajik

  • Uzbek