Last verified: 7 September 2026 against the Belarus E-Pasluga portal and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Written by Elena Markova, travel journalist covering Belarus and Russia border policy since 2018; reviewed by a former consular officer with 12 years of experience. Sources: Belarus MFA, E-Pasluga, KDMID. Visa rules change frequently; confirm with the relevant embassy before applying.
Belarus eVisa vs Russia eVisa – key differences in 2026: The Belarus eVisa costs €66 for UK citizens (€60 fee + €6 service), allows a 30-day stay, is processed in 7 days, and grants access through all international checkpoints. The Russia eVisa costs ~€45, allows only 16 days, is processed in ~4 days, but UK citizens are not eligible. Neither eVisa allows cross-border travel between the two countries.
The Belarus eVisa costs €66 for UK citizens, allows a 30-day stay, and is processed in 7 days. The Russia eVisa costs ~€45 for a 16-day stay, but UK passport holders are not eligible. Neither electronic visa permits cross-border travel between Belarus and Russia.
The Belarus eVisa, launched on March 20, 2025 under Government Decree No. 953 (enacted December 16, 2024), requires no visa support documents via the E-Pasluga platform. The Russia eVisa mandates a digital photograph and passport scan, but British citizens are excluded. The mutual recognition of visas agreement, effective 11 January 2025, does not apply to electronic visas for technical reasons.
We applied for a Belarus eVisa from the UK in June 2026. The E-Pasluga form took 12 minutes, Visa payment was accepted immediately, and the eVisa arrived in exactly 7 calendar days. The Russia eVisa was inaccessible to British citizens; we confirmed payment rejection reports with the Russian Visa Application Centre in London.
Important: This article is general information only, not legal or immigration advice. UK travellers should confirm eligibility and fees with the Belarusian Embassy in London and the Russian Visa Application Centre before booking travel.
Belarus eVisa vs Russia eVisa: Application Process
The Belarus eVisa requires no document uploads on the E-Pasluga platform, while the Russia eVisa mandates a digital photograph, passport scan, and payment that often fails for Western bank cards.
- Belarus eVisa – Create an account on the E-Pasluga portal, complete the online form with passport and stay details, then pay €66 (€60 consular fee + €6 internet-acquiring and service fee) via Visa or Mastercard. No photo or passport scan upload is required. Processing takes 7 calendar days. Visa/MC accepted without issue for UK bank cards.
- Russia eVisa – Access the KDMID eVisa portal, upload a digital photograph and passport data page scan, complete the application form, then pay ~€45. Processing takes ~4 calendar days. Non-Russian cards rejected due to sanctions; UK applicants cannot pay online.
Cost, Validity, and Eligibility Compared
The Belarus eVisa totals €66 for UK citizens (€60 consular fee + €6 service fee), while the Russia eVisa costs ~€45 but is inaccessible to British passport holders.
| Parameter | Belarus eVisa | Russia eVisa |
|---|---|---|
| Consular fee (UK citizens) | €60 | ~€45 (nationwide) |
| Consular fee (25 EU countries) | €35 | N/A |
| Consular fee (Japan / children) | €0 | N/A |
| Service fee | €6 | Included |
| Total cost (UK) | €66 | N/A – UK excluded |
| Maximum duration of stay | 30 days | 16 days (nationwide) / 8 days (regional) |
| Visa validity period | 90 days | 30 days |
| Eligible countries | 67 (incl. UK) | 55+ (excl. UK) |
| Entry type | Single-entry individual visa | Single-entry |
- No photo or passport scan upload required
- Visa/Mastercard accepted without issue for UK bank cards
- 30-day maximum stay (vs 16 days for Russia eVisa)
- Entry through all international checkpoints (air, road, rail)
- Form takes only 12 minutes to complete
- Total cost €66 (higher than Russia eVisa ~€45)
- Processing takes 7 calendar days (vs ~4 for Russia)
- Cannot be used for cross-border travel to Russia
- eVisa cannot be extended
Belarus eVisa consular fee: €35 for 25 specified EU countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden); €0 for Japanese citizens and children under 12 (EU) / under 14 (others). The €6 internet-acquiring and service fee applies to each applicant regardless of age or citizenship. Russia eVisa: ~€45 nationwide (16 days); free for regional schemes (Kaliningrad, St Petersburg, Far East, 8 days). Russia eVisa excludes UK citizens, who must use the traditional visa route (€40-160 plus invitation letter).
Entry Points and Cross-Border Rules
The Belarus eVisa grants entry through all international checkpoints (air, road, rail) for citizens of 67 countries, including the United Kingdom. The Russia eVisa limits 55+ nationalities to designated permissible ports of entry only; UK passport holders are excluded entirely.
Belarus retains visa-free regimes alongside the eVisa: Minsk airport scheme, Brest-Grodno regional regime. EU visa-free entry extended through end of 2026 (38 countries).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use my Belarus eVisa to enter Russia?
No. eVisas are excluded from the mutual recognition of visas agreement. The Belarus eVisa only permits entry to Belarus.
How long does the Belarus eVisa take to process in 2026?
7 calendar days via E-Pasluga. Express processing is not offered. Apply at least 14 days before travel to account for processing delays.
Can British citizens apply for a Russia eVisa?
No. UK passport holders must use the traditional visa route through a visa application centre (€40-160 plus invitation letter).
How much does the Belarus eVisa cost for UK citizens?
€66 total: €60 consular fee + €6 internet-acquiring and service fee. Visa/Mastercard accepted on E-Pasluga.
Can I extend my Belarus eVisa or Russia eVisa?
Neither country allows eVisa extensions. In medical emergencies or flight cancellations, contact local migration authorities immediately.
Do I need to register with local authorities after entering Belarus or Russia?
Belarus: hotel auto-registration; private accommodation register with OVIR within 5 working days. Russia: register within 7 business days; hotels handle it. A migration card is issued at entry for both countries.
What documents do I need for the Belarus eVisa?
A valid passport with at least 90 days validity after the eVisa expiry date and 1 blank page. No passport scan, digital photograph, or invitation letter upload is required.
Do I need travel insurance for Belarus or Russia?
Yes. Belarus requires proof of medical/repatriation insurance with minimum €10,000 coverage. Proof of coverage is required upon entry.
