how do i get a visa to russia

• 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

What is the easiest way to get a visa to Russia?

If you want to travel to Russia, you need a Russian visa. In order to get a Russian visa, the first thing you need is an invitation (also known as visa support letter). After that, you can apply for the visa at a Russian consulate either by yourself or through a local travel agent (usually for an extra fee).

What are the requirements for a Russian visa?

• Accommodation bookings. Tourists must provide proof of accommodation for every night of their stay in Russia, whether a hostel or hotel booking or another arrangement.
• Travel itinerary. ...
• Further documentation. ...

Who needs a visa to enter Russia?

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. All U.S. nationals who wish to enter Russia for an excursion, sightseeing, cultural events, or other forms of tourism need a Russian visa.

Can US citizens enter Russia?

Visitors from the United States must present a negative RT-PCR (NAAT) test taken within 2 days before departing to Russia. Details and exceptions Permitted travelers are required to have a negative Covid-19 result (PCR) taken no earlier than two calendar days prior to arrival in the Russian Federation.

How long does it take to get a visa to Russian?

3 to 14 daysAfter submitting your visa application, you will get your Russian visa within 3 to 14 days (depending on the fee you pay). Consular Fees: You will need to pay the consular fee and the visa processing fee, which depend on the type of visa, the country where you apply, and your citizenship.

How do I get a visa to go to 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.

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 much does it cost to get a Russian visa?

The Russian 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 Russia issuing visas right now?

Since 1 January 2021, the Russian government has introduced a unified e-Visa for visiting the entire Russian territory. This e-Visa allows you to enter the country only once for a tourist, business, humanitarian or family visit, for a maximum of 16 days .

Can I get a Russian visa online?

In order to apply for a unified e-visa, it is necessary to submit an application from your personal account on the specialized website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia or through the Russian Foreign Ministry mobile application.

How much is Russian visa for U.S. citizens?

$160 / $160Visa FeesNumber of EntriesConsular Fee Regular* / Expedited**Single Entry**$160 / $160Double Entry**$160 / $1603 Year Multiple Entry **$160 / $160

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.

Is Russia open to American tourists?

It appears that U.S. citizens are permitted to enter the Russian Federation only from countries with which the Russian Federation has officially resumed flight connections. To review the list of countries, please see the following website.

Can I fly to Russia now?

Russia - AVOID ALL TRAVEL Avoid all travel to Russia due to the impacts of the armed conflict with Ukraine, including limited flight options and restrictions on financial transactions. If you are in Russia, you should leave now while commercial means are still available.

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 tourists travel to Russia?

Entry, Exit and Visa RequirementsYou must have a current U.S. passport with the appropriate visa. ... You must obtain a valid visa for your specific purpose of travel before arriving in Russia, unless you are arriving as a cruise ship passenger (see below information for passengers of cruise ships and ferries).More items...

How much is Russian visa for US citizens?

$160 / $160Visa FeesNumber of EntriesConsular Fee Regular* / Expedited**Single Entry**$160 / $160Double Entry**$160 / $1603 Year Multiple Entry **$160 / $160

Can I travel to Russia right now?

Avoid all travel to Russia due to the impacts of the armed conflict with Ukraine, including limited flight options and restrictions on financial transactions. If you are in Russia, you should leave now while commercial means are still available.

What do I need to travel to Russia from USA?

Entry, Exit and Visa RequirementsYou must have a current U.S. passport with the appropriate visa. ... You must obtain a valid visa for your specific purpose of travel before arriving in Russia, unless you are arriving as a cruise ship passenger (see below information for passengers of cruise ships and ferries).More items...

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.

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...

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 apply for a Russian visa?

IV. Applicants for Russian visas may apply directly to the Consular Division of the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

When did the visa for Russia come into force?

On the 1st of June, 2007 the Russia-EU Visa Facilitation Agreement came into force and according to its provisions visa processing fees are changed for the citizens of the following countries:

How long is a Russian visa valid?

In accordance with the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States of America on the simplification of visa formalities for nationals of the Russian Federation and nationals of the United States of America, the US citizens shall as a rule be issued multiple-entry business, private, humanitarian and tourist visas that are valid for three years (36 months) from the date of issue of the visa.

What to do after receiving a visa?

After receiving the visa, please check all the data indicated in it and, if necessary, return it to the Consular Division for corrections. The Consular Division will not be responsible for any mistakes in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to departure from the US.

When does visa processing start?

Visa processing starts only after the Consular Division has collected all necessary documents.

What form do I need to apply for a visa for a non-US citizen?

Non-US citizens should also provide proof of legality of their long-term stay in the USA (US Resident Alien status, form I-94) when applying for a visa.

What is a multiple entry visa?

A multiple-entry visa allows subsequent trips with a purpose other than what was initially indicated in the visa. Thus, the new purpose of each trip and information on the new hosting organization must be indicated in the Migration Card form in order to clear Russian customs and border control.

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 are the documents required to apply?

To apply for an Invitation Letter with eVisa, you will need the following:

What is the difference between a Tourist Invitation Letter and a Russian Visa?

The Tourist Invitation Letter is a document that must be presented along with your visa application. It is not an actual visa, but a document that the Russian government requires for you to apply for an actual visa.

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.

How long is a Kaliningrad visa valid?

With this visa, you can only visit the Kaliningrad Oblast region. It is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued and only allows for an 8-day stay in the country . It is a single-entry visa, and the reason for the trip must be exclusively for tourism, business or humanitarian work.

Do you need a visa to adopt a child in Russia?

An entry and exit visa are required to visit the child, so it must be processed from your country of origin. This visa allows a stay in the country and entrance and exits up to 3 times, while the adoption procedures are in process.

Can foreigners enter Russia?

This is granted to foreigners who are allowed to enter Russia for a temporary stay. They must notify the consulate of their intentions in the country, and demonstrate the possibility of living in Russia without working.

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 Russian visa?

Complete the online Russian Tourist Visa application form. The form is available online, and you can complete it for free. It contains questions on your identity and your intended trip to Russia.

Where to submit Russian visa application?

Submit your completed application. Submit the documents you have collected at a Russian Consulate or Russian Visa Processing Center. You should submit these documents in person. Depending on your home country, you may have to make an appointment prior to that.

Who Needs a Russia Tourist Visa?

According to the Russian visa policy, most citizens of most countries will need a tourist visa for Russia. However, there are several countries the nationals of which are excluded from this requirement. In addition, several categories are exempt or can enter with an e-visa. These categories are:

What is the most important part of a Russian tourist visa application?

Collecting the required documents is the most important part of a Russian tourist visa application. Based on the documents that you submit to apply for a Russian tourist visa, the Russian authorities take a decision on your application.

How long does it take to get a Russian visa?

The processing time for a Russian tourist visa application is as follows: For citizens of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland – 7 to 20 working days. For citizens of Angola, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, North Macedonia and Vietnam – seven calendar days.

How long do you have to register your visa in Russia?

The border police keep one part of the card, and the other one is for you. Register your visa. If you will be staying more than seven days in Russia, you will need to register your visa. If you are planning to stay at a hotel, the hotel is responsible to register your visa.

What to do after arriving in Russia?

However, there are additional things you need to do after you arrive in Russia. Get the immigration card. When you arrive at the Russian port of entry, the border police will give you an immigration card. The card consists of two identical parts, which you should fill in with your information.

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.

What determines what type of visa is required?

The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.

Is the US consulate in Russia suspended?

All consular services at the U.S. Consulates in Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok remain in suspended status.