Russia e-Visa for citizens of France: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of France apply online before departure, for stays up to 30 days.
Data updated on
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Allowed stay
30 days
Our guide to the Russia visa from France
French nationals need a visa for Russia but can use the unified electronic visa (e-visa) for a short tourist or business stay. The whole application is completed online before departure.
Russia grants no visa exemption to French citizens. For a short stay, a French traveller can apply for a unified e-visa through the official portal of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This document must be obtained before arriving on Russian soil.
Do you need a visa?
Yes: a French citizen cannot enter Russia without a visa. For short stays (tourism, business, private visits), the unified e-visa covers most purposes. Check the permitted length of stay and validity window on the official portal, as they may change.
How much does an e-visa for Russia cost from France?
The official fee for an e-visa for Russia is not published in a source we can verify. Check the amount on the official portal before paying anything, third-party sites often add service fees on top.
What does a visa for Russia really cost?
- Government feeNot published in a source we can verify
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
What documents are required for an e-visa for Russia?
Documents required for an e-visa for Russia:
- Passport valid 6 months beyond stay
- Completed application form
- One passport-size photo
- Travel medical insurance
- Proof of accommodation
- Visa fee payment
Documents and fees
Have a passport valid for at least 6 months, a compliant ID photo and your accommodation address ready. The fee is not confirmed here: check the official portal for the current rate and pay only through government channels.
How to apply for an e-visa for Russia from France
- 1Fill in the form on the destination’s official portal.
- 2Upload the required documents (passport, photo, supporting papers).
- 3Pay the fee online by card.
- 4Receive the authorisation by email, usually without a consular visit.
- 5Show the authorisation, printed or on your phone, at boarding.
How and where to apply
The application is made exclusively online at the official portal evisa.kdmid.ru. The French applicant completes the form, uploads a photo and waits for the approval notice by email. For a long stay or a purpose not covered, a standard consular visa from the Russian consulate in France is still required.
Where do you apply for a visa for Russia from France?
An e-visa for Russia is filed entirely online: there is no counter to visit and no file to hand in. The only address that matters is the official portal.
- The application, the supporting documents and the payment all go through the official portal, from any country.
- Lookalike sites copy the portal’s name and layout, then resell the same application with a margin. Check the domain before you type in a passport number.
- The authorisation arrives by email. Keep a printed copy, some airlines ask for it at boarding.
You live in France on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in France but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does an e-visa for Russia take?
No verified processing time is published for this route. Apply as early as your travel dates allow, and never book non-refundable travel before the e-visa is granted.
Processing and tips
Processing time is not guaranteed, so submit your application several days before departure. Print the approval and keep it with your passport. Travel insurance valid in Russia is often required at entry.
Before you fly, and at the border
Passport validity, border checks, minors, overstays: the rules common to every trip are gathered on our travel tips page. Formalities before you leave
Common mistakes
Do not travel with a passport close to expiry. Do not enter any detail that differs from your passport, or you risk refusal at the border. Avoid paid third-party sites and always use the official government portal.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Flights (Trip.com)
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eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
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Other visa types for Russia
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
Official sources
- Portail officiel du visa électronique unifié de Russie (KDMID)
- Consulat général de Russie en France
- France Diplomatie: Conseils aux voyageurs, Russie
Guide generated automatically on July 26, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
Short-stay (tourism)
eVisa / authorization
Entry regime
eVisa / authorization
Duration
30 days
Official websiteVerified
Work visa
Work visa
Duration
1-3 years
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
20 business days
Official websiteVerified
Business visa
Consular visa
Duration
1 year
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
10 business days
Official websiteVerified
Private/family visit visa
Family reunification
Duration
90 days
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
20 business days
Official websiteVerified
Transit visa
Transit visa
Duration
10 days
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
10 business days
Official websiteVerified
Student visa
Student visa
Duration
Duration of programme
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
10 business days
Official websiteVerified
Highly Qualified Specialist visa
Work visa
Duration
3 years
Price
80–185 USD
Processing time
14 business days
Official websiteVerified
Tips to Extend Your Stay in Russia
- Strictly comply with the duration of stay indicated on your visa; overstays are severely penalized.
- For a longer stay, it is preferable to apply for a multiple-entry business visa or to leave and then reapply for a new visa.
- Always keep a copy of your registration with the Russian authorities (mandatory within 7 days after arrival).
A traveler wishing to stay for more than 16 days can enter with an e-Visa, exit to a neighboring country (e.g., Georgia, Kazakhstan), then apply again for a new electronic or regular visa to return to Russia.
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Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
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