For a French ordinary passport, a short Russian journey now often begins without a voucher. France is on the current unified e‑visa list. If the trip uses one entry, lasts no more than 30 days, has a permitted purpose and crosses an approved checkpoint, no invitation is required.
Current e‑visa essentials
- apply on the official MFA portal;
- file from 86 to 4 days before entry;
- one entry;
- validity of 120 days from issue;
- stay of up to 30 days;
- machine-readable passport valid at least six months from application;
- medical insurance valid in Russia unless officially exempt;
- separate application for every child.
Current rules replace the older 60-day/16-day limits still visible on some French and English pages.
A Paris–Moscow holiday
Ten days in Moscow and St Petersburg, one Russian entry and approved airports can fit cleanly. The traveller enters real accommodation details but does not buy an invitation as proof of purpose.
Paris–Moscow–Tbilisi–Moscow requires two Russian entries. The e‑visa does not fit the border pattern even if total stay is under 30 days.
French citizen or French resident?
French passport holders can apply for an e‑visa. A French residence permit alone does not provide eligibility.
- Algerian passport + French residence: regular visa required under current rules.
- Moroccan passport + French residence: regular visa required.
- Kenyan passport + French residence: e‑visa eligible through Kenya.
- South African passport + French residence: check the current visa-free agreement.
Residence can decide where a regular application is accepted and which residence evidence is needed.
When the regular visa returns
Use a regular category for multiple entries, more than 30 days, work, long-term study or an incompatible checkpoint. Tourism then normally needs tourist support; business, work, study and private visas use different invitations.
If the regular tourist application is filed in France, the current Embassy page publishes ten working days and no urgent option. It also asks for a detailed programme when the supported stay exceeds 15 days, vehicle papers and a colour vehicle photograph for travel by car, specific insurance-certificate wording, and a valid French residence permit for non-French applicants.
The France answer
For the ordinary short trip: calculate the exact dates, verify the point of entry and apply directly through the official e‑visa portal. Do not let an invitation checkout quietly turn a document you do not need into a prerequisite.