Russia E-Visa vs Regular Visa: Which One Do You Need?
Both get you into Russia — but the price, paperwork, stay length and eligibility differ dramatically. Use this side-by-side comparison to choose in 2 minutes.
Last updated: July 2026
Side-by-side comparison
| Criteria | E-Visa | Regular Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Who is eligible | Citizens of 60+ countries (EU, China, India, Japan, Turkey…) | All nationalities, incl. USA, UK, Canada, Australia |
| Invitation letter | Not required | Required (we issue from $19 in 5 min) |
| Consulate visit | No — 100% online | Yes (or visa center) |
| Cost | $40 consular fee (~$52 total) | $19 invitation + consular fee ($50–160 by country) |
| Processing | 4 calendar days | 5–10 business days (consulate) |
| Maximum stay | 30 days | Tourist: up to 6 months · Business: up to 5 years |
| Entries | Single | Single, double or multiple |
| Validity | 120 days from issue | Up to 5 years (business multi) |
| Purposes | Tourism, business, guest, humanitarian | All incl. work, study, journalism |
| Entry points | Listed airports & checkpoints only | Any international checkpoint |
Choose the E-Visa if…
- Your nationality is on the eligible list
- Your trip is 30 days or shorter
- You enter once through a major airport or listed checkpoint
- You want zero paperwork and the lowest effort
Choose the Regular Visa if…
- You are a citizen of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia or another non-eligible country
- You need more than 30 days (tourist up to 6 months)
- You need multiple entries — e.g., business trips throughout the year
- You travel for work, long-term study or journalism
- Your border crossing is not on the e-visa list
The regular visa starts with a visa invitation letter (visa support). We issue official tourist and business invitations online in 5 minutes from $19 — accepted by every Russian consulate worldwide.
Real traveller scenarios
German tourist, 10 days in Moscow & St. Petersburg
Germany is e-visa eligible, the trip is under 30 days, arrival at Sheremetyevo airport.
US citizen, 3-week tourist trip
The USA is not on the e-visa list, so a consular tourist visa with an invitation letter is the only option.
Indian businessman, 4 trips a year
India is e-visa eligible, but four single-entry e-visas mean four applications. A 1-year multi-entry business visa is cheaper and easier.
French student, 2-month language course
60 days exceeds the 30-day e-visa cap, and study is not an e-visa purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Is the e-visa cheaper than the regular visa?
Usually yes for short trips: $40 consular fee vs $19 invitation plus a consular fee of $50–160 depending on your country. But for multiple trips a year, one multi-entry regular visa beats several e-visas.
Can I switch from an e-visa to a regular visa while in Russia?
No. Visas cannot be changed or extended inside Russia. Plan the right type before you travel.
Do both visa types need an invitation letter?
No. The e-visa requires no invitation at all. The regular visa always requires a visa invitation (visa support letter) — that is the document we issue online from $19.
Which is faster to get?
The e-visa: 4 calendar days, fully online. A regular visa takes 5–10 business days at the consulate, plus the invitation (which we deliver in 5 minutes).
I'm from the UK/USA — can I get an e-visa with a second passport?
Only if your second passport is from an eligible country and you travel on it. Otherwise you need the regular visa route with an invitation.
Need the regular visa? Start with the invitation
Official tourist and business visa invitations issued online in 5 minutes, from $19. Accepted by all Russian consulates — 500,000+ issued since 2012.