By Akram Medhat
A Russian visa has become the dream of every Egyptian who wants to support the national team after it qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in 11 Russian cities. But how do you get the visa, and what are the fees for obtaining it?
The surprise is that you will not need a tourist visa to enter the Russian Federation, because the visa will be free. You only need to obtain the fan card, the "FAN ID", which will allow holders who are fans of the teams of the countries taking part in the World Cup to enter the stadiums where the matches will be played.
The "FAN ID" also grants its holders other very important privileges: free use of travel between the Russian cities hosting the matches, in addition to free use of public transport for getting around on match days. This is a major advantage that saves fans traveling to Russia tens of dollars in daily expenses.
How to Get a FAN ID
Applications for a fan card, the official identity card that will be issued to fans, are made on the website of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) as soon as the traveler receives an email confirming that they have obtained tickets after the random selection draw period ends, in line with their request to buy World Cup match tickets on FIFA's official website. Entry to the stadiums requires fans to hold a fan card and a valid original ticket.
For more information about the FAN ID, click here.
It is worth noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law under which foreign fans can enter Russia without obtaining a visa and attend 2018 World Cup matches if they have an electronic copy of the FAN ID personal card, which is granted to them when they buy a ticket to attend at least one match, in addition to carrying their passport as an official identity document.
Foreign tourists can enter Russia without obtaining a Russian visa 72 hours before the first match of the 2018 World Cup. Russia grants participants in the 2018 World Cup a multiple-entry Russian visa, and organizers a multiple-entry business or work visa valid for 3 years.
Russian Tourist Visa
On ordinary days, or outside the 2018 World Cup events, Russia requires Egyptians to obtain a visa in advance. Its procedures require a passport valid for at least 6 months, 2 color personal photos measuring 4×3 cm, the Russia visa application form for Egyptians, and a tourist invitation from Russia, also known as a reception invitation or voucher, which can be obtained through a Russian citizen or a tourism company or travel agency in Russia, in addition to other documents proving the traveler's financial means.
