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Russia is one of the emerging travel destinations for travelers all over the globe. The country offers a diverse range of experiences for tourists, from cultural activities, world-class dining and historic landmarks found in Moscow and St, Petersburg, to the remote beauty of Siberia.

Good news for jet-setting Filipinos because recently, the Russian government announced they will be easing the e-visa requirements for Filipinos starting 2021.

Now that non-essential outbound travel is again allowed for Filipinos, maybe it's time to plan your next trip.

While all travelers holding a Filipino passport must apply for a Russian visa prior to arrival in the country, a Russian electronic visas or e-visas will eliminate the need for Filipinos to visit a consulate or embassy.

E-visas can now be applied for and granted online and has become simpler for Filipino citizens and the waiting is only around four days.

According to Russia Visas, "These electronic permits allow entry into the Russian territory for short-term stays and can be conveniently applied for online from anywhere in the world, including the Philippines."

The Russian Embassy in the Philippines has also made this announcement on their official social media account earlier this month.

So far, the e-visa for Filipino passport holders are only available for three specific Russian regions. Should Filipino travelers wish to visit other areas of the country, they will need to apply through a Russian embassy or consulate.

Currently, there are three options for Filipinos who want to acquire a Russian e-visa online for short-term travel, Far East Visa, Kaliningrad Visa, and St. Petersburg Visa.

All three types of e-visa applications require a Philippine passport with at least six months of validity, at least one blank page on the passport. The e-visas are valid for 30 days once issued.

The Far East Visa requires a medical insurance valid for the entire duration of the stay. The Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg e-visas require a digitized passport-sized photo, a debit or credit card for the application fee, and an email address.

Accomplishing the application form is one of the most important parts of the application process and all information provided must be accurate. Any wrong detail, even if entered accidentally, may result in the entire application being delayed or rejected.

The consular fee for the e-visa is US$40 and is free for children six years old and below.

Updates regarding the status of application shall be delivered via email. The usual processing period for a Russian e-visa application is between two to four days.

For more information about the process, visit the Russian Embasy in the Philippines Facebook page.

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