A few days before President Duterte landed in Russia, we Filipinos got a piece of the good stuff. Why? Because out of the 53 countries Russia has given a privilege for e-visas (electronic visas), the Philippines is a part of them. Yes, Philippine passport holders can now apply for the free e-visa to two (2) prime locations in Russia.
Starting October 1, 2019, Filipinos can now apply for a free e-visa to Russia; specifically in the Leningrad Region and in Saint Petersburg.
Read: Philippines to Sign a Labor Pact With Russia, Says Bello
What is an e-visa?
An electronic visa or e-visa, is a type of document or proof that is given to people who want to enter a specific country. The e-visa is valid for a total of 30 calendar days after the date it was issued.
For utility in the Russian Federation, Filipino e-visa holders are allowed in Russia for a maximum of eight (8) days beginning the day of entry and within the validity of the visa.
The e-visa in Russia for Filipinos is free of charge; all interested applicants have to do is to fill out a form. Let us give you a concrete guide on how it works:
Read: 1,000 Jobs For Filipinos, to be Opened by Israel
- Fill out an e-visa application form;
- Obtain an e-visa grant notification on the Russian website or get it via email;
- Print out the notification you got or you can download it and save it to your mobile device;
- Present the notification to a transport company employee; and
- Show this notification to a Border Service officer at the border crossing point
Note: The notification for the issuance of the free e-visa to Russia will be posted in their website not later than four (4) days after the application was completed which includes bank holidays and weekends.
Can the e-visa validity period be extended?
According to Russian government, the validity of the Russian e-visa cannot be extended. Even so, the allowed period of 8 days will begin at midnight of the date of entry through passport control and not the actual time of passage.
Read: Easier Japanese Multiple-Entry Visa For Filipinos
Furthermore, the e-visa cannot be used to for entry or exit via rail transport. Filipino travelers can take advantage of the e-visa via the following:
- Air Transport
- Automobile Transport
- Pedestrian Checkpoints; and
- Naval Transport
What travel purposes would be allowed?
As per the Russia government, Filipino travelers would be granted the free e-visa; as they would be approved for one for the following purposes:
- Ordinary Tourist Visa
- Ordinary Business Visa
- Ordinary Humanitarian Visa
Having that said, the free e-visa is actually a big relief for Filipino travelers who wish to visit Russia.
Read: Taiwan is Visa-Free for Filipinos Until July 2020
Proof of travel purpose?
Don’t sweat because according to the Russian government, hotel confirmations, invitations, return tickets, and other proofs of travel purpose are not going to be required. So long that travelers were able to accomplish the e-visa application form, they’ll be good to go.
Natalia Linovitskaya, Press Secretary of the Embassy of the Russian Federation said during an interview with the DZMM that no documents or proof of Russian visits are required.
Any other documents that confirm the purpose of your visit to Russia are not required.”
Reminders for travelers
Checkpoints
The Russian government reminds all travelers that foreign citizens who wish to visit Russia must pass checkpoints of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation from which they have entered.
Read: Easiest and Best Countries Filipinos can Immigrate to
Passport validity
Passports of travelers must be valid for at least six (6) months from the date of their application for an e-visa.
In addition to that, it must have free space for border crossing stamps to avoid hassle.
Medical Insurance
Aside from passport validity and checkpoints, foreign citizens who arrived in the Russian Federation with e-visas are required to have medical insurance that is valid on Russian territory for their entire period of stay.
Are you planning to visit Russia at any time soon? If so, then this might just be what you are waiting for. Russia has allowed Filipinos and to apply for a free e-visa going to Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region for eight (8) days!
What are you waiting for? Click the link and apply now!
Source/s: Rappler | Business Mirror PH
Leave a Reply