Russia: Tourist Visa Based on Booking Confirmation to Be Limited

Beginning March 6, 2023, only nationals of the following 19 countries will be able to obtain a tourist visa valid for six months based on a booking confirmation from a hotel or other accommodation facility in Russia: Bahrain, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, North Korea, Oman, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Thailand and Türkiye. Previously, all nationals were eligible for this type of tourist visa. Nationals of all other countries will be required to present a hosting confirmation (“tourist voucher”) issued by a registered tour company when applying for their tourist visa.