What is the Kaliningrad e-Visa?
The Kaliningrad e-Visa is an official document that allows visitors entry into and travels within the Russian region of Kaliningrad for tourism purposes.
What do I need to apply for the Kaliningrad e-Visa?
We require the following to submit your application:
- Applicant Photo
What is the cost to obtain the Kaliningrad e-Visa?
The Kaliningrad e-Visa itself has no cost but there is a processing fee:
- USD 25.00 for Standard Processing.
- For rush processing and super rush processing the service fee is USD 40.00 and USD 50.00, respectively.
* The price can change, the correct fee present at applying
How long does it take to process my Kaliningrad e-Visa?
It depends on the processing time you choose. We offer three options:
- Standard Processing: up to 9 days
- Rush Processing: up to 7 days
- Super Rush Processing: up to 5 days
* The processing time can change, the correct time at applying
How long is a Kaliningrad e-Visa valid for?
This e-Visa is valid for 30 days after issued and allows holders Single Entry that cannot be longer than 30 days after arrival
How long is a Kaliningrad e-Visa valid for?
This e-Visa is valid for 30 days after issued and allows holders Single Entry that cannot be longer than 30 days after arrival
What conditions must the applicant’s passport meet for the Kaliningrad e-Visa?
Your travel document has to be valid for at least 6 months after your e-visa expires. Also, your passport should have at least one blank page for stamping.
How many entries does the Kaliningrad e-Visa allow?
The Kaliningrad e-Visa allows Single Entry of up to 8 days within 30 days.
When should I apply for the Kaliningrad e-Visa?
The traveler must apply for this visa at least 5 days before the trip to Kaliningrad.
Does obtaining an e-Visa guarantee me entry into Kaliningrad?
NO. Possession of an e-Visa for Kaliningrad does not provide an automatic right of entry for the holder into the Country. The Immigration Officer at the port of entry may refuse entry to any person if he considers that such a person is unable to fulfill the immigration requirements or that such a person’s presence in Kaliningrad would be contrary to national interests or security.
What do I need to present upon arrival in Kaliningrad?
Upon arrival in Kaliningrad, you need to present your passport along with your Kaliningrad e-Visa, which can be printed or shown from a smartphone.
Which countries are eligible for the Kaliningrad e-Visa?
- Andorra
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- China (including Taiwan)
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Northern Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
- Turkey
- Vatican City
Vaccination requirements for travel to Russia
Yellow Fever vaccine is required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Check WHO – Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination.
Learn more about Kaliningrad tourism
Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave and home to about 450 thousand people. It dates back in the 13th century, and does to access to the EU, it has become more and more developed in the recent past.
The capital city was one of the major locations where people found accommodation during the biggest football event, the FIFA World Cup in 2018. It may not be one of the most visited destinations, but it has a particular charm that tourists find appealing. The best time to visit Kaliningrad is in the summer. The months of June through August have a welcoming temperature that varies from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.
In the fall, it can drop to 10 degrees Celsius, which is not that bad. In the winter, however, depending on what you are accustomed to, the thermometers can show a low of -11 degrees Celsius. It can get cold, but not as cold as Russia is known to be. We recommend that you pack waterproof boots and umbrellas because the weather is unpredictable.
The air is humid because of its proximity to the Baltic Sea. As long as you make sure that you can stay dry, you should tolerate the weather just fine. As for what you need to do to enter Kaliningrad, you will most likely need a visa.
Russia is not known for its lenient visa policy, but things are about to change in the next couple of years. At least that is what we are told. Until then, almost all tourists need to obtain a visa for Russia because Kaliningrad is a part of the Russian Federation.
Keep in mind that if you plan to visit other parts of Russia as well, you need a visa with at least two entries because you need to exit and then enter Russia again. If you take a domestic flight from Moscow or St. Petersburg, a single-entry visa will suffice.
Until January 2017, a special Kaliningrad visa was available, but it is no longer in operation. It was a short-term visa on arrival. But since the scheme was withdrawn, all visitors must apply for a Russian visa. Most tourists arrive by plane in Kaliningrad. The Kaliningrad Hrabrovo Airport is just 16 km away from the capital city. You also have the option to arrive by train, but you need to be very careful with the time.
All the trains leave on Moscow time, which is one hour ahead of Kaliningrad. So let’s say that you have to catch the 17:30. That means the train will leave at 16:30. You can also travel by car, although you should remember that the infrastructure is not the best at times. The roads are not always well-maintained, and there are portions of it that do not have any signs. Getting lost is easy if you do not have a GPS. As to what to visit in Kaliningrad, you should take your time and learn about its history.
First of all, the Kaliningrad Cathedral is one of the city’s landmarks. It links the region to its German past. The Prussian kings used to be crowned there. The museum within the cathedral has two rooms that are dedicated to Immanuel Kant, the famous German philosopher, who is also buried there.
The House of Soviets is yet another attraction. The locals call it ‘The Monster.’ It was built on the ruins of Konigsberg Castle, and it was never occupied because it was deemed structurally unstable. The owner, which is not known, does not want it demolished. Leaving history aside, you should go and visit one of the fishing villages as well.
They are known for their red-roofed houses and very colorful exteriors. They represent the charm of old Konigsberg, the name under which Kaliningrad used to be known in the past. Not to mention that you will have the opportunity to taste some really good fish. And fresh too.
As far as fun activities are concerned in Kaliningrad, the city offers many opportunities. You can try one of the many escape rooms, where you have to find tips, solve puzzles, and recover keys to get out of the room.
You probably tried them before. If you are seeking to do something in nature, you can either go trekking in the forests. You will come across many untouched locations where flora and fauna are gorgeous. Or, you can go fishing in the Baltic Sea.
You can do that no matter what season you choose to visit Kaliningrad. When it comes to accommodation, there is no reason for concern. You will find many 3- and 4-stars hotels, but if you travel on a budget, you will find board as well.
Many hostels in the region provide decent rooms at affordable prices. The local cuisine may not be something you are accustomed to, but you can find plenty of places where they serve Western food. However, we recommend that you try the local dishes as well. After all, when you explore a new culture, food is a significant part of it. Safety is not an issue in Kaliningrad.
There are no significant reports. However, petty thieves, like everywhere else in the world, will try to turn you into a victim. We advise that you do not show too much jewelry and keep all your money safe. Take care of your electronic devices as well. The people in Kaliningrad are generally welcoming.
They are used to tourists, especially after the FIFA World Cup in 2018. They will try to accommodate you as best as they can. You may have some issues in communicating with them. The official language is Russian. The younger generation may know some English, but if you decide to travel to more remote locations in the exclave, we suggest that you learn some Russian.
Basic phrases should help you get around. Russian is not an easy language to learn, which is why you should have at hand a phone connected to the internet. That way, you have something that can translate for you. The bottom line is that Kaliningrad may not be your usual vacation destination, but it is worth the trip.
There are plenty of interesting things you can see and activities to do. So, get your visa, hop on a plane, and see what the exclave has to offer. Surely, you will have a lovely time there.