- Get the Invitation to Russia (Russian Visa Support) Start your Russia visa application by getting the invitation to travel to Russia. ...
- Complete the Russian Visa online application form. After getting your Russian visa support, you can proceed with the other steps. ...
- Collect the Russian Visa required documents. Continue the Russia visa application by collecting the required documents for a Russian visa. Printed application form.
- Apply in Person at Russian Consulate/Russian Visa Processing Center. You will need to submit the required documents at the Russian consulate or the visa center representing Russia for visa admission.
- Pay the Russian visa fee. You will need to pay the fee for your visa at the consular sections. Most of the embassies accept only payments by bank cards.
- Collect your Russian visa. You will get a notification on your case after the Russian embassy takes a decision on your application.
- Get the Russian immigration card. With the visa sticker in your passport, you can freely travel to Russia. Still, there remain some procedures you need to complete.
- Register your Russian visa. If you will be staying in Russia for 7 days or more, you will need to register your visa. ...
Full Answer
Where can I get a visa to Russia?
You can obtain a visa to Russia in any of the Consulates of the Russian Federation located in USA. See the list of Russian Consulates in USA, along with their phone numbers and location indicated on this page below.
How much does it cost to get a Russian visa?
Russia applies different visa fees to applicants according to their nationality. All Russia visa types for US nationals cost 150,4 EUR. Where to Apply for a Russian Visa from USA? US citizens need to submit their Russia visa application at the Russian visa service in the American state they live.
What is the invitation for a Russian visa?
The invitation is the basement of your Russian visa application. It is also known as the visa support document. The type of invitation and its issuer differ according to the purpose of your trip to Russia. Following find a list of all Russia visa invitation types, with explanations on each:
What do I need to get a Russian visa?
Get Your Visa Once your invitation is issued, gather the following documents. Passport: Your passport should be valid at least 6 months after your Russian visa will expire and contain at least two free, adjoining pages. Two Passport-Size Photographs: Should be recent and good quality.
How much does it cost to get a Russian visa?
$160.00How much does the Russia Tourist Visa Cost? The Russian tourist visa costs $160.00 which does not include the administrative fees or letter of invitation letter fee.
What is the best way to get a Russian visa?
How to Apply Visa for Russia?Get the Invitation (Visa Support). This is the first step you should make to get a visa to Russia. ... Complete the online application form. ... Collect the required documents. ... Apply in Person at a Russian Consulate / Russian Visa Processing Center. ... Get the immigration card. ... Register your visa.
How long does it take to get a visa to Russia?
It takes between 4 working days and 6 weeks to get your Russian visa depending upon the type that you need. The cost also varies according to the visa's type and how quickly you need it. Please see our visa-specific pages for Russian visas (accessible here) for price options.
Is it hard to get Russian visa?
The process of obtaining a visa isn't difficult! First of all, you should get an invitation for visa (Russian visa support), which is provided by the hosting party. Whichever type of visa you need - tourist visa or business visa to Russia - you will require an official invitation.
Can I apply for 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.
How long can I stay in Russia on a tourist visa?
A tourist Russian visa is single-entry or double-entry only and can be valid for the period up to 30 days. If you are a US citizen, you can get a tourist visa to Russia valid for 3 years, and you can stay every 90 out of every 180 days on that type of visa.
Which country is most difficult to get visa?
What are the Hardest Countries to Get a Visa To?Russia.Cuba.Iran.Turkmenistan.Chad.Bhutan.Saudi Arabia.Afghanistan.More items...
Do I need an appointment for Russian visa?
If you will be submitting your application at the Consular section of the Russian Embassy, you should make a prior appointment. On the other hand, application centers accept walk-in applications. So, an appointment is not compulsory. Most of the applicants are not required to attend an interview.
Who needs visa for Russia?
Applicants planning to stay for more than 90 days in any 180-day period require a visa if they are going to Russia to conduct commercial or work-related activities. Diplomatic or Official passport holders require a visa for the whole period of their stay.
How far in advance can I apply for a Russian visa?
You can apply for a tourist visa at a Russian consulate not earlier than 90 days before your requested visa start date. It is not recommended to apply more than 6 months in advance, as some consulates may have issues with visa support letters which are older than 6 months.
How do I get a 3 year Russian visa?
2. How to apply for a 3-year tourist visa for American citizensHave a valid passport. ... Get a visa support letter (also called voucher or invitation) ... Fill out the Visa Application Form. ... Travel insurance (optional) ... Take all of your documents to the Russian Visa Center (or consulate)
Can Americans go to Russia right now?
Do not travel to Russia due to the unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials, the singling out of U.S. citizens in Russia by Russian government security officials including for detention, the ...
How do I get a 3 year Russian visa?
2. How to apply for a 3-year tourist visa for American citizensHave a valid passport. ... Get a visa support letter (also called voucher or invitation) ... Fill out the Visa Application Form. ... Travel insurance (optional) ... Take all of your documents to the Russian Visa Center (or consulate)
How does a US citizen get a visa for Russia?
How to Apply for a Russia Visa in the US?Get the Invitation (Visa Support). ... Complete the Russian visa online application form. ... Collect the Russia visa required documents for US citizens. ... Apply at a Russian Visa Processing Center in the US. ... Wait for the processing of your visa.
How far in advance can I apply for a Russian visa?
You can apply for a tourist visa at a Russian consulate not earlier than 90 days before your requested visa start date. It is not recommended to apply more than 6 months in advance, as some consulates may have issues with visa support letters which are older than 6 months.
Does US citizen need visa for Russia?
To enter Russia for any purpose, a U.S. citizen must possess a valid U.S. passport and a bona fide visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. It is impossible to obtain an entry visa upon arrival, so travelers must apply for their visas well in advance.
What are the main types of Russian visas?
Tourist Visa - e.g.: tourism, sightseeing; Business Visa - e.g.: conferences, business negotiations; E-Visa - e.g.: short-term visits; Work Visa -...
How can I get a visa to Russia?
To obtain a Russian visa you need: Fill in our online order form and get a Visa invitation to Russia Refer to our Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Ru...
Do Americans need Visa to Russia?
Yes. A required document to enter Russia for a citizen of the USA is a visa.
Where to apply for a Russian visa in USA?
You can obtain a visa to Russia in any of the Consulates of the Russian Federation located in USA. See the list of Russian Consulates in USA, along...
How to apply for a tourist invitation to visit Russia?
A tourist invitation can be issued by a travel company which is registered in the Federal Register of the Tour Operators and has its reference numb...
How long is tourist visa for Russia valid?
A Tourist Visa is issued for citizens of the USA for a maximum period of 30 days. Due to the simplification of the visa regime between Russia and t...
How long does a Russian passport last?
Passport: Your passport should be valid at least 6 months after your Russian visa will expire and contain at least two free, adjoining pages. Two Passport-Size Photographs: Should be recent and good quality.
What is visa support?
Most invitations (also sometimes referred to as "visa support") are managed through agencies which put the foreign invitee in contact with the officially registered Russian entities to get them the invitation they need . For every type of visa, there exists a different type of invitation (tourist, business, private, student, etc.).
Is Russia a pre-visa?
Like any party worth going to, Russia is by "invitation only.". This is basically a "pre-visa" – it is an official document from an officially registered Russian entity (agency, organization, business, etc.) that states that you may officially apply for a Russian visa.
How to get a visa for Russia?
Basil’s Cathedral are some of the more well known landmarks, but there are plenty of other unique attractions you can enjoy. Keep in mind most visitors need a visa to enter Russia. Getting one is not difficult. All you need to do is go to your local Russian embassy and apply for one. However, before you apply you will need to have an invitation letter. iVisa can make things easier for you by helping you get your invitation letter quickly. All you need to do is apply online and you can have your invitation letter in as little as 30 minutes.
How long does it take to get a Russian visa??
A Russian visa can be processed in 9 days for standard processing. We also have rush and super rush pricing options available for a higher fee.
How long does it take to apply for a Russia Tourist Invitation Letter?
Applying online with iVisa will take you less than 10 minutes. Then, shortly after we will let you know of the status of your application by email.
How much does the Russia Tourist Visa Cost?
The Russia tourist visa costs $160.00 which does not include the administrative fees or letter of invitation letter fee. Please Note: there may be cheaper Russia Tourist visas available depending on your nationality. Enter your nationality into the visa checker to see all available visa types.
Is it safe to use iVisa to get my Russia Invitation Letter?
Many people think that information online leaks and that it can get into the wrong hands. However, that is not the case with our services. We provide maximum safety for your personal data, confidentiality, and we invest a lot in the security of our database. Your personal information could not be safer. You can check what hundreds of happy customers say about us here.
What is a Tourist Invitation Letter?
It is a document stating that you are officially invited to Russia by a Russian travel company or a hotel that is accredited by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. This document has two parts: A Voucher and a Confirmation of the Admission of a Foreign Tourist. It is necessary to present an Invitation Letter for you to apply for a Russian visa.
What are the documents required to apply?
To apply for an Invitation Letter with eVisa, you will need the following:
Where do US citizens apply for a Russian visa?
US citizens need to submit their Russia visa application at the Russian visa service in the American state they live.
Where to get invitation for visa in Russia?
Get the Invitation (Visa Support). The Invitation is the basement of your application. You should get this document in collaboration with your host in Russia. The host may be a friend, a family member, an employer etc. If you are planning to travel to Russia for tourism purposes, you can get your invitation from a travel agency or a hotel.
How long does it take to get a visa for Russia?
The average processing time for a Russia Visa is 10 days. Yet, the processing can take from seven to 20 working days. Those in a hurry can apply for expedited processing, which takes three working days. A higher fee will be charged to those that want to benefit from the expedited visa application processing.
What is visa support?
Visa support. This is an invitation to travel to Russia. It may be an invitation issued by a hotel, friends, a business etc., depending on the purpose of your trip.
How many Americans visited Russia in 2018?
United States citizens are among the top twenty most frequent visitors to Russia. In 2018, 337,395 Americans traveled to Russia marking an increase of 15% from the previous year. However, traveling to Russia from the US is not an easy thing to do. Due to the political relations between the US and Russia, both countries have introduced many ...
Is it hard to get a visa for Russia?
Applying for a Russia visa in the US is not as hard as it may seem. In fact, the process is almost identical to applying from other countries in the world.
Is there a transit area at the Russian Federation airport?
You are flying with an international airline and changing flights in the Russian Federation. There is one sole condition that this airport has a transit area.
What is a business visa in Russia?
Business visa suits the foreign applicants who are concerned in exploring business opportunities of Russia.
When will Russia be available for e-visa?
According to the Government of the Russian Federation, e-visa processing for the citizens of USA shall become available starting January 1st, 2021. We recommend citizens of USA obtaining a common tourist visa for a stay up to 30 days. Get Russian Visa Invitation.
What is an invitation for a private visa?
An Invitation for a Private Visa will be issued only on a special form from the FMS with an individual number. It should have all passport details of an American applicant. Information on the inviting party, terms of visa and number of entries. The issuing of this Invitation takes a certain amount of time during which all necessary investigations take place as to whether there are any previous convictions, expulsions or administrative violations of the applicant. If any such violations are found the applicant will be denied in an Invitation.
How long does an American work visa last in Russia?
An Invitation for a Work Visa is issued on a special form of the FMS for a period of 90 days. Within this period an American citizen should enter Russia and fulfill the migration registration. After this his/her Work Visa may be extended for a period of the contract but no longer than a year.
What is required to get a tourist visa at a consulate?
When issuing a tourist visa at a consulate, a foreigner may be required to demonstrate the purchase of air tickets and to confirm a booking at a hotel for the period specified in the invitation, as well as an insurance policy.
What is an e-visa?
An electronic visa (hereinafter referred to as "e-visa") is a new type of a visa document. A visa invitation to Russia is not required for obtaining an e-visa. To obtain an e-visa to Russia use our “E-visa to Russia” service. An e-visa can be only single-entry.
How long is a private visa valid?
Private visa can be single or double-entry. It is issued for a maximum period of 3 months (90 days).
Where to submit a Russian visa application?
You will need to submit the required documents at the Russian consulate or the visa center representing Russia for visa admission. If you will be submitting your application at the Consular section of the Russian Embassy, you should make a prior appointment. On the other hand, application centers accept walk-in applications. So, an appointment is not compulsory.
Where to pay for Russian visa?
You will need to pay the fee for your visa at the consular sections. Most of the embassies accept only payments by bank cards. However, some others accept cash as well. You should check for this with the Russian embassy in your home country.
What is the sticker on a Russian passport?
The sticker contains information on you, your visa, the period of permitted stay and the inviter.
What is a copy of a letter of invitation to study in Russia?
A copy of a direct inviting letter of your Russian university. This kind of invitation is valid for short-term study only, without prolongation. The Rector of the university or the Head of the International Department should stamp and sign the letter.
Where to send invitation to Russian embassy?
An invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Your Russian host should request this type of invitation at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry will then pass the invitation to the embassy in your country.
What is an invitation letter to enter Russia?
An inviting letter of a Russian citizen to enter Russia with their non-Russian family members. If you are traveling to Russia with a Russian family member, then the relative of yours should take care of the letter of invitation. He or she should direct the letter to the Ambassador of Russia in your home country.
How long do you have to register a visa for Russia?
If you will be staying in Russia for 7 days or more, you will need to register your visa. You have 7 working days to register your visa, upon arrival in Russia. There are two ways to register a visa: Through the hotel where you are staying. If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel itself will register your visa.
When will Russia get an E visa?
An approved E-visa for Russia allows the holder entry to the designated territory at select air and seaports, and certain land border checkpoints, in the relevant region. It is expected that a Russia-wide E-visa will also be introduced in 2021 by the Russian Government.
Why is Russia using electronic visas?
The Russian government has implemented the electronic visa system in order to expedite the process of applying for a visa to travel to select regions in the country.
How long is an E visa valid in Russia?
E-visas for Russia are valid for 30 days to enter the territory from the date of approval.
Where is Kaliningrad E visa?
The online Kaliningrad visa allows travelers to visit the Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave located between Lithuania and Poland on the Baltic Sea.
When will Russia introduce E visas?
It is expected that a Russia-wide E-visa will also be introduced in 2021 by the Russian Government. Information about this electronic visa type will be published on this site once available.
Do you need a visa to travel to Russia?
The visa policy of Russia states that it is not necessary to provide any additional supporting documents, such as hotel booking confirmations or a tourist invitation, for an E-visa for Russia to be approved.
What is the letter of invitation for a Russian visa?
Before applying for a visa, you must first get an official document called a "visa invitation" ( priglashenie; sometimes called a "letter of invitation," "visa sponsor," or "tourist support letter") from a Russian organization recognized by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Visa invitations are typically issued either by a hotel or by a tour operator. ...
How long is a Russian passport valid?
Note that your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your departure from Russia, and must have two adjacent blank pages to accommodate the visa. Submit the invitation, the form, your passport, a passport photograph, and the processing fee (money order or cashier's check only) to the Russian Embassy.
How long do you have to stay in Russia?
You'll receive a confirmation slip, which you may need to show when you leave Russia. While this step is required only for stays of more than seven days, if you don't register, when you depart, you may be asked to show proof (such as hotel receipts) that you were in Russia for less than a week.
Do you have to have a copy of your passport in Russia?
While in Russia, you are required to carry your original passport (not just a copy) with you at all times. Police in Russia can stop you at any time and ask to see your documents, though this seldom happens to tourists.
ON RESUMING VISA ISSUANCE
Start June 28, 2021 Russian consulate in the U.S.A. resumes the issuance of visa of all categories (including tourist visas). Please be advised that the visas may be issued only for the U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries, who possess U.S. Green Cards.
Russian Business Visa Application Requirements
All travelers to Russia on official or private business visits require a business visa.
Russian Private Visa Application Requirements
A Russian private visa is one of the various visas issued by the Russian Federation for foreigners who wish to enter Russia for personal reasons like visiting friends and family. According to Russian legislation, foreigners who wish to apply for a private Russian visa must have an invitation.
FAQ – Visa For Russia
One of the favorite destinations of travelers and tourists around the world is Russia. Russia is a beautiful country located on a vast expanse of land with many attractions for people all over the world. While Russia welcomes some nationalities into its soil without a visa, one needs to have an invitation to apply.
