Russian officials said that the list of nations whose citizens qualify for its single-entry electronic visa (e-visa) has been expanded and now includes nationals from Eswatini, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
According to the officials, new list expansion, approved over the weekend, aims to boost travel relations between Russia and three African states, thereby promoting “tourism, business opportunities, and cultural interactions.”
In a statement on X (former Twitter), Russian Embassy in Nairrobi, Kenya wrote: “The Government of Russia has expanded the list of countries whose citizens can visit the Russian Federation with a single electronic visa. The list now includes following African countries: Kenya, Eswatini and Zimbabwe.”
On December 5, the Prime Minister of Russia authorized the expansion of Moscow’s e-visa policy. In addition to Eswatini, Kenya and Zimbabwe, the updated list now features Barbados, Bhutan, Jordan, Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turkmenistan.
A press release published on the official website of the Russian government over the weekend indicated that the inclusion of these 11 nations raised the total number of countries eligible for the Russian e-visa program to 64.
“To obtain an electronic visa, no invitations, hotel reservations, or any other documents confirming the purpose of travel are required. Registration takes no more than four days. Children under six years of age receive a visa free of charge,” the press release stated.
The electronic visa (e-visa) scheme, first introduced by Russia in August of last year, allows travelers from eligible countries to enter Russian Federation once and remain for a duration of up to sixteen days. The e-visa is presently valid for a period of sixty days.
