Yes, a visa is required to travel from Switzerland to Russia.
Do I need a visa for Russia from Switzerland?
Discover visa requirements for your trip
Swiss travellers need a visa for Russia; a unified electronic visa (e-Visa) can be applied for online before departure for short stays. Longer stays or other purposes require a traditional consular visa.
Swiss nationals travelling to Russia are not visa-exempt and submit their application on the Russian Foreign Ministry's official e-Visa portal before travelling. The process is online and the approval is presented at an e-Visa-eligible entry point. The Swiss passport must be valid for at least six months.
Do you need a visa?
Yes. Swiss citizens must obtain a visa to enter Russia. For a short tourist stay the unified e-Visa is usually sufficient; for a longer stay, business or family purposes, a consular visa issued by the Russian mission is required. Check the FDFA Consular Directorate for up-to-date travel advice.
How and where to apply
For the e-Visa, apply from Switzerland at evisa.kdmid.ru: an online form, a digital photo and a copy of the passport page. Payment is made on the portal and the approval is sent by email. For a consular visa, contact the relevant Russian consulate with an invitation or a confirmed booking.
Documents and fees
Prepare a passport valid for at least six months, a recent photo, travel insurance and, depending on the purpose, an invitation or a booking. The visa fee is not fixed here: refer to the official rate on the e-Visa portal or from the consulate. Check that your point of entry is among those that accept the e-Visa.
Processing and tips
For the e-Visa, apply several days before departure to cover processing. Check that the data matches the passport exactly, as any error can invalidate the visa. Take current Swiss travel advisories and restrictions for Russia into account before booking.
Common mistakes
Use only the official portal evisa.kdmid.ru: third-party sites overcharge for the same service. Arriving at a point not authorised for the e-Visa, or choosing the e-Visa for a stay that exceeds its duration, causes refusals. Finally, ignoring FDFA travel advice or travelling with a passport valid for less than six months leads to blocks.
Official sources
- Russia Unified e-Visa – Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Eidgenössisches Departement für auswärtige Angelegenheiten (EDA/FDFA) – Reisehinweise Russland
Information verified on July 8, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa to travel to Russia from Switzerland?▾
Yes, an e-visa (electronic visa) is required. It is applied for online before departure and allows a stay of 90 days.
How long can you stay in Russia?▾
The tourist visa allows a stay of 90 days.
What other visa types exist for Russia?▾
Depending on the purpose of stay, Russia offers among others: Business visa, Work visa, Highly Qualified Specialist visa, Student visa, Private/family visit visa, Transit visa.
Data verified on 23/07/2026
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