St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region began implementing the e-visa system on October 1, 2019, which is open to nationals of 53 countries, and is among the entry requirements for St. Petersburg.
e-visa can be obtained online by filling out an application form. The St. Petersburg e-Visa is straightforward to apply and can be applied for up to 4 days before the visitor’s departure to St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.
The e-Visa for St. Petersburg will be permitted to visa applicants with a validity of 8 days’ stay in St. Petersburg along with the Leningrad region. However, the e-Visa will be valid for 30 days. Once the 30-day validity period has passed, tourists will not be able to use their e-Visa to enter Russia. In the event of expiration, passengers will be required to re-apply for an e-Visa for St. Petersburg.
An e-visa will be provided after a foreign individual submits an application, filled out electronically on the specific Russian MFA website http://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru no later than four calendar days before the scheduled visit, along with a digital photo submitted as an electronic file.
E-visas for entering the territory of Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region are only valid when entering and exiting the Russian Federation through the State Border crossing locations listed below on the territory of Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region:
- Air crossing point: Saint Petersburg (Pulkovo);
- Sea crossing points: Vysotsk, Big port of Saint Petersburg (Marine station part), and Saint Petersburg Passenger Port;
- Automobile crossings point: Ivangorod, Torfyanovka, Brusnitchnoe, and Svetogorsk;
- Pedestrian crossing point: Ivangorod
Note: Rail transportation is now unavailable for entry and exit from Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region on an e-visa.
With an e-visa for St. Petersburg and Leningrad region, tourists can visit only St.petersburg and Leningrad region.
It is the obligation of visitors to ensure that the personal information they submit when applying for an e-visa is accurate, including the spelling of their last name and initial name(s). The Russian Federation’s State Border will deny entry to those who provide false information, and any e-visas issued based on that information will be revoked if the information provided does not match the information in the passport (citizenship, last name, first name(s), date of birth, gender, passport number). Only if a visitor’s name has more letters than what is allowed on the e-visa application form will it be an exception.
What are the requirements for an e-visa for St. Petersburg?
Those who intend to apply for a visa to St. Petersburg online must meet specified visa requirements in order to acquire an authorized visa. To apply successfully, the following prerequisites must be met:
- A valid passport: An e-Visa for St. Petersburg can be obtained if the applicant is a citizen of one of the approved countries. Applicants must, however, ensure that their passports are valid before submitting an application. At the time of entry in Russia, the passport should have at least six months remaining on its validity.
- An email address: The online application form cannot be processed if it lacks a valid email address to be linked with any electronic contact information. Applicants must provide a valid email address to get status updates on their visa application and a confirmation email once the e-visa application has been processed.
- Valid debit/credit card: To ensure a smooth application procedure, all applicants must use a valid credit or debit card to make a payment. The e-Visa will not be processed until the visa fee has been paid.
What is the cost of a St. Petersburg e-visa?
Travel to the St. Petersburg and Leningrad regions of Russia is permitted with an online St. Petersburg visa, commonly known as an e-Visa. The fee for obtaining an e-visa to Russia is $40 USD.
What to do in St. Petersburg?
Moscow may be Russia’s most contemporary and cosmopolitan metropolis, but St. Petersburg is the country’s cultural and historical center and the largest city in Russia. St. Petersburg is royal and inspiring, with the Hermitage, one of the world’s largest and most beautiful art museums, as well as lovely white evenings (when the sun never sets in the summer).
If you’re a first-time visitor, the Hermitage Museum is a must-see, as is the magnificent Nevsky Avenue, which is lined with luxurious restaurants, cathedrals, and palaces and is a terrific spot for crowd-lovers. The Peterhof Palace Complex is a must and one of the highlights of a vacation to St. Petersburg, but it needs a day trip out of town.
