News from the Russian Foreign Ministry notes a shift in visa fee policy for citizens of European Union countries as of December 25. The ministry states that Russia is aligning its visa fee framework with the tariff established by national law, moving away from rates anchored in international agreements.
According to the ministry, Europeans will be required to pay the full visa fee, with additional charges possible depending on the processing speed and the urgency of the visa application. This marks a change in practice from previous arrangements and reflects Russia’s decision to standardize fees within its own legislative framework.
Officials emphasized that, in contrast to this general change, Russia will continue to comply—at least partially—with certain elements of previously signed visa agreements. Some categories of applicants from Europe may still benefit from simplified procedures or longer validity periods for visas. The groups mentioned include entrepreneurs, individuals participating in sports, cultural and scientific activities, schoolchildren, and students, among others who could see continued favorable terms in specific cases.
Earlier, President Vladimir Putin approved legislation that removes visa benefits for some European citizens. The enacted law applies to Citizens of the European Union as a whole and extends to citizens of Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The move appears to reflect a broader alignment of entry rules with Russia’s current diplomatic and economic considerations.
There have been earlier reports that foreign tourists are visiting Russia with greater frequency. The new policy on visa fees forms part of a broader, ongoing evolution in the country’s travel and entry framework, signaling a potential shift in how international visitors are charged and processed for stays and activities within Russia. This development is being monitored by observers who are tracking the implications for travel timing, application procedures, and the overall accessibility of Russian entry for European nationals, as well as the potential impact on bilateral relations and business, cultural, and educational exchanges. (Source attribution: Russian Foreign Ministry and official government statements.)