Canada stops accepting visa applications at its centers in Russia

Russians must now travel abroad to collect approved Canadian visas

Canada has stopped processing visa applications at its centers in Russia as of January 28, 2026. The Canadian government announced the change on the IRCC website, instructing applicants to submit their passports at centers outside the country.

According to The Moscow Times, a Canadian government spokesperson said the move was part of a broader effort to cut costs and modernize operations, rather than a shift in immigration policy toward Russians:

"The decision to close the immigration office in Moscow was made as part of a government-wide exercise to modernize government operations and reduce overall costs. This review looked at how to run programs more sustainably and consistently around the world."

No indication has been given on whether services might resume in the future.

What this means for Russian applicants

Russians seeking Canadian visas can still complete the online application process and provide biometric data at one of six locations: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don, Vladivostok, and Yekaterinburg.

Once a visa is approved, however, applicants must retrieve it from a center outside Russia. The government advises that passports should only be submitted after receiving an official request, and notes that certain centers accept postal or courier deliveries.

Canadian visa processing centers are available in neighboring Armenia, Georgia, and Kazakhstan. Belarus does not have a Canadian visa center.