Can US citizens travel to Russia without a visa?
Russian Visas The Russian government maintains a restrictive and complicated visa regime for foreigners who visit, transit, or reside in the Russian Federation. A U.S. citizen who does not comply with Russian visa laws can be subject to arrest, fines, and/or deportation.
Do international cruise ship passengers need a visa to Russia?
International cruise ship passengers are permitted to visit Russian ports without a visa for a period of up to 72 hours. Passengers who wish to go ashore during port calls may do so without visas provided that they are with an organized tour at all times, accompanied by a tour operator who has been duly licensed by Russian authorities.
When do I need a transit visa?
A Transit Visa is not required if you remain in the transit zone of the airport in order to catch an onward or connecting flight within 24 hours of arrival or more in case of forced stop. Transit visas can be single- and double-entry. Transit visas are normally valid for maximum of 3 days if travelling by air and 10 days if travelling by car.
What are the different types of Russian visas?
There are seven basic types of Russian visas: Commercial, Tourist, Student, Guest, Diplomatic, Transit, and visas for entry into the Russian Federation for the purpose of requesting asylum. Russian visas are issued only upon presentation of the appropriate invitation (tourist vouchers or hotel reservations will often suffice) from a Russian source.
Can I transit in Russia without visa?
Citizens of the Russian Federation in airside transit do not require a visa.
Do I need visa for connecting flight in Russia?
As a rule, it is easy and inexpensive to get a Transit visa. A Transit Visa is not required if you remain in the transit zone of the airport in order to catch an onward or connecting flight within 24 hours of arrival or more in case of forced stop. Transit visas can be single- and double-entry.
Is transit allowed in Russia?
In cases when foreign nationals need to pass through Russian territory in transit on their way to a third country, then come back through Russia more than a month later, they must apply for a single-entry transit visa and obtain a second transit visa at the Russian Embassy/Consulate in the country which was the foreign ...
How do I get a transit visa for Russia?
The application process for a Russia transit visa goes as follows:Check if you need a visa to transit Russia.Complete the online Russian transit visa application form. ... Collect the required documents for a Russian Transit Visa. ... Submit your Russian transit visa application. ... Wait for the processing of your application.
Do you need visa for connecting flight?
Re: Do I Need A Visa For A Connecting Flight Through The US? Yes. There is no transit at US airports and you will need to clear both Immigration and Customs at your first point of entry into the US regardless. You will need either an ESTA or a Visa.
Can I visit Moscow on a layover?
Moscow recently became one of the most popular layover points for those who travel between Americas, Europe and Asia. Here you can find out how to see best Moscow attractions in a short period of time.
How much is a Russian transit visa?
$160 / $160*Regular Processing Time is 10 Calendar Days from the day the documents are submitted to the Russian Consulate for review....Visa Fees.Number of EntriesConsular Fee Regular* / Expedited**Double Entry**$160 / $1603 Year Multiple Entry **$160 / $1601 more row
Who can enter Russia without visa?
Visa-free travel to RussiaGroup 1. Countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine. ... Group 2. Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Israel, Nicaragua, Peru, Venezuela, South Africa. ... Group 3. ... Group 4.
Do you need a visa to transit through a country?
Do I Need a Transit Visa If I Leave the Transit Zone? You need a transit visa if you leave the transit area. However, nationals from specific countries (Iran, Syria, Guinea, etc.) will need a transit visa regardless of whether they leave the transit area or not.
Can I get a Russian visa online?
eVisas allow visitors to apply for their Russian visa entirely online in minutes, from anywhere in the world. Passport copies, online application form, and other documents required for the visa can be submitted online.
Why do I need a transit visa?
Indian nationals generally require an airport transit visa for the Schengen area. This visa allows a short stop-over at an international airport only, without leaving the airport's international transit area or overnight stay in a hotel.
How much is a Russian transit visa?
$160 / $160*Regular Processing Time is 10 Calendar Days from the day the documents are submitted to the Russian Consulate for review....Visa Fees.Number of EntriesConsular Fee Regular* / Expedited**Double Entry**$160 / $1603 Year Multiple Entry **$160 / $1601 more row
Do you need a visa to transit through a country?
Do I Need a Transit Visa If I Leave the Transit Zone? You need a transit visa if you leave the transit area. However, nationals from specific countries (Iran, Syria, Guinea, etc.) will need a transit visa regardless of whether they leave the transit area or not.
Why do I need a transit visa?
Indian nationals generally require an airport transit visa for the Schengen area. This visa allows a short stop-over at an international airport only, without leaving the airport's international transit area or overnight stay in a hotel.
How long is a transit visa valid?
Transit visas are normally valid for maximum of 3 days if travelling by air and 10 days if travelling by car.
Do you need a transit visa to fly into an airport?
A Transit Visa is not required if you remain in the transit zone of the airport in order to catch an onward or connecting flight within 24 hours of arrival or more in case of forced stop. Transit visas can be single- and double-entry.
Do I need a transit visa if my flight will pass through Russia?
Transit visa is required only for those travelers who are going to leave the customs zone of the airport. You can get a transit visa at the Russian Consulate upon presenting your tickets to and from the Russian airport.
How long can you stay in Russia without a visa?
Passengers of Cruise Ships and Ferries at St. Petersburg and Vladivostok are permitted to stay in Russia for 72 hours without a visa when accompanied by a tour operator licensed by Russian authorities. Ferry schedules may not permit visitors to stay more than two nights without exceeding the 72-hour limit. If you plan to sightsee on your own, you must have a tourist visa. A visa is also required if you plan to depart Russia by another mode of transportation.
How long can you be detained in Russia?
You can be arrested, detained, fined, deported and banned for 5 years or more if you are found to have violated Russian immigration law.
What are administrative violations in Russia?
Traffic Laws: Russian authorities have been known to consider traffic or parking infractions as “administrative violations” that provide a sufficient basis for deportation and/or denial of entry back to Russia at a later date.
What are the penalties for violating Russian laws?
If you violate these laws, even unknowingly, you may be arrested, fined, imprisoned, or expelled and may be banned from re-entering Russia.
What are the terrorist groups in Russia?
Terrorism: Terrorist groups, transnational and local terrorist organizations, and lone actors inspired by extremist ideology and messaging continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas
Do you need a Russian transit visa?
Travelers must have a Russian transit visa if they plan to transit through Russia by land en route to a third country or if they transfer to another airport. Travelers must possess a Russian transit visa in addition to a Belarusian visa if their travel route either to or from Belarus goes through Russia.
Does Russia allow dual citizenship?
Russia enforces special restrictions on dual U.S.-Russian nationals and may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, including denying access to U.S. consular assistance and preventing their departure from Russia.
What are the different types of Russian visas?
There are seven basic types of Russian visas: Commercial, Tourist, Student, Guest, Diplomatic, Transit, and visas for entry into the Russian Federation for the purpose of requesting asylum. Russian visas are issued only upon presentation of the appropriate invitation (tourist vouchers or hotel reservations will often suffice) from a Russian source. Only Russian individuals and agencies (hereafter referred to as sponsors) can invite Americans to visit Russia. In doing so, the sponsor takes full responsibility for both the welfare and actions of their American guests.
How long do you have to register a visa in Russia?
Travelers who spend more than seven days in Russia must register their visa and migration card through their sponsor (at the local Federal Migration Service (FMS)) or landlord (at the local post office or FMS). Travelers staying in a hotel must register their visa and migration card with their hotel within one day.
How long does it take to get a visa to leave Russia?
A valid visa is necessary to depart Russia. Travelers who overstay their visa’s validity, even for one day , will be prevented from leaving until their sponsor intervenes and requests a visa extension on their behalf. Russian authorities may take up to 20 calendar days to authorize an exit visa, during which time the traveler will be stranded in Russia at his or her own expense. The ability of the Embassy or Consulates General to intervene in these situations is extremely limited.
What is the Russian law?
Under Russian law, every foreign traveler must have a Russian-based sponsor, which could be a hotel, tour company, relative, employer, university, etc. Even if a visa was obtained through a travel agency in the United States, there is always a Russian legal entity whose name is indicated on the visa and who is considered to be the legal sponsor. Russian law requires that the sponsor must apply on the traveler’s behalf for replacement, extension, or changes to a Russian visa. U.S. citizens are strongly advised to ensure that they have contact information for the visa sponsor prior to arrival in Russia, as the sponsor’s assistance will be essential to resolve any visa problems.
Where to go if you are in Moscow but do not know who your visa sponsor is?
If you are in Moscow but you do not know who your visa sponsor is, or if the sponsor is located elsewhere in Russia and you cannot travel to the region, please go to the FMS of Russia, 4 Verkhnyaya Radishchevskaya St., Bldg 1., tel. (495) 698-0078, Metro Taganskaya.
What are the quotas for Russian work visas?
Work Visas: There are quotas on invitations to foreigners to enter Russia in order to work. These quotas are established by territorial agencies in the regions and are approved annually by the Russian Government. According to the law, quotas take into account the demographic situation in the relevant region of Russia and its ability to accommodate foreign nationals. This is theoretically based on the principle that priority should be given to the use of domestic labor. The prospective employer must initiate the application process for this type of visa at the FMS. Prospective employers who hire foreigners must also receive permission from the local branch of the FMS. The FMS office then issues the foreigner a document confirming his legal employment. Please note that Russian authorities may require tests for drugs and infectious diseases for holders of work visas.
How many dates are there in a Russian visa?
A Russian entry/exit visa has two dates written in the European style (day/month/year) as opposed to the American style (month/day/year). The first date indicates the earliest day a traveler may enter Russia; the second date indicates the date by which a traveler must leave Russia. A Russian visa is only valid for those exact dates ...
Russia transit visa eligibility
If you stay in the airport’s transit area to catch your connecting/future flight within 24 hours of your arrival or a bit more, you do not need a transit visa if there is an obligatory stop.
Validity of Russia transit visas
These types of visas are issued for a period of 10 days. This is enough to cross the country’s border that a foreign citizen travels to the destination country. In addition, when determining the validity duration of a transit visa, the travel document details must be considered. It is allowed to stay in one location for no more than three days.
Required documents for applying for Russia transit visas
If you want to apply for a transit visa, you must present the following documents to the Consulate of the Russian Federation:
Russia transit Visa cost
Find out transit visa costs, asking the Russian consulate in your country, or visiting the official website. Unfortunately, our company does not help to apply for transit visas.
Russia transit visa Processing time
The processing time for a transit visa issued by the Consular Office is three working days to 7 calendar days.
Russian Visa Requirements for US Citizens
Americans may find the visa process for visiting Russia a bit annoying, to say the least. While countries like Vietnam and Cambodia do require a visa to be obtained in advance, websites are available for e-visa purchases. Russia has yet to offer this, as the requirements are more complicated.
Where to Apply for a Russian Visa
The Russian government sanctions five visa centers based in San Francisco, Washington DC, New York City, Houston, and Seattle, where Travel Visa Pro has offices. Should you be considering a Russian visa, contact one of these offices.
Types of Visas to Russia
Tourist Visa: Single, double, and multiple entry visas (generally not available for US citizens traveling there for the first time) are available for visiting Russia as a tourist for up to three months. See the requirements listed above.
Russian Visa Processing Time and Fees
Two types of processing are available for any Russian visa: 4-20 business days (standard), and 3 business days (expedited). In general, you should expect expedited processing to cost twice as much as standard. More about time frames can be found here.
Travel Visa Pro and Visas to Russia
Travel Visa Pro was founded on facilitating the Russian visa process for business travelers. As a result, many of the staff across the country are experienced in expediting these applications and answering any questions you might have, from our founder to our travel experts in San Francisco.
