Full Answer
What do you need to know about a Russian visa?
A Russian tourist visa is a permit for travelers to enter and experience the Russian Federation. It has several differences with the other Russia visas as: The documents required. The visa costs/fees. Application processing time. The permitted period of stay. The permitted number of entries.
How much does a Russian tourist visa cost?
The cost of a Russian tourist visa for citizens of all other countries are as follows: Single entry visa – 75.2 EUR; Double-entry visa – 120.3 EUR; Multiple entry visa – 225.7 EUR; How Long Does It Take to Get a Russia Tourist Visa? The processing time for a Russian tourist visa application is as follows:
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.
What is a tourist invitation letter for Russia?
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. Does the Invitation letter guarantee that a visa will be issued?
How do I know if my Russian visa is real?
The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia evisacheck.kdmid.ru allows to check the status of an e-visa for foreign nationals who have provided the e-visa granting notification or the data contained therein to the representatives of a transport company.
What are the types of visa in Russia?
There are 6 main types of Russian visas: a tourist visa, a business visa, a student visa, a personal visa, a work visa, a transit visa - each type corresponds to the purpose of your visit.
How much time Russian visa takes?
It takes between 4 working days and 6 weeks to get your Russian visa depending upon the type that you need.
How long do Russian visas last?
A business visa can be issued for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months. Normally a multiple entry 6 or 12 months visa is only available for people who have been issued a Russian visa before. If this is your first visit, you are eligible to obtain a single or double entry visa for 1 to 3 months.
How much is 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.
Can I work in Russia on a tourist visa?
You cannot enter Russia on a visa other than a Russian work visa (e.g., business visa or tourist visa) and start working. You will need to exit the country and re-enter on a Russian work visa.
What documents do I need for Russian visa?
There are documents that every Russian visa applicant has to submit....Russian Visa RequirementsVisa Application Form. ... Valid Passport. ... A recent passport size photo. ... Proof of residence. ... Visa support. ... Bank Statements for the last three months.
Can I get a Russian visa right now?
Fortunately, citizens of a number of countries can now obtain a eVisa for Russia for short-term stays by applying online in minutes. The 2021 unified E-visa will grant freedom of movement across all Russian regions to its holder. eVisas for Russia are intended for the following reasons: Tourism.
What do I need for Russian visa?
The standard required documents for a visa to Russia are as follows:Visa Application Form. Fill in the form electronically on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID) website kdmid.ru, giving in all of the required information. ... Valid Passport. ... A recent Russian visa photograph. ... Proof of residence. ... Visa support.
How many countries can I visit with Russian visa?
As of 19 July 2022, Russian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 119 countries and territories, ranking the Russian passport 50th in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
How do I get an invitation letter for Russian visa?
The required document for obtaining Russian visa is a Russian Visa Invitation Letter (or simply Invitation for Russian Visa). An invitation letter for visa might be issued by a Russian organization that has a special reference-number and accreditation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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 do I get a Russian work visa?
How to Apply for a Russia Work Visa?Get a job in Russia. ... Check the validity of your passport. ... Get the Invitation to work in Russia(Visa Support). ... Complete the Russian work vias online application form. ... Collect Russia work visa required documents. ... Submit the Russian work visa application in person.More items...
What is Russia private visa?
The Private visa is meant for people who have friends or relatives in Russia, but getting the invitation letter means that your friend/relative (Russian citizen or a foreigner with a permanent residence permit) has to go to the local department of Migration police, fill in a form, and then that form is signed and ...
How can I get 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.
What is a Russian visa?
A Russian visa is a special document attached to your passport, that grants you a permit to enter and to leave the Russian Federation during a period of time specified in the visa. Every foreign citizen needs a Russian visa to enter / leave Russia, except nationals of some CIS countries (former USSR without Baltic States).
How to get a business visa in Russia?
In order to get a business visa you need an invitation from a Russian firm, which can usually be arranged through a qualified visa agency. You do not need to plan hotel reservations or an itinerary to get a business visa. Ask Go To Russia!
How long does it take to get a homestay visa in Russia?
Homestay visas are your best bet when you have friends or relatives in Russia who plan to host you during your trip there. Homestay visas are issued for up to 3 months, and, therefore, are more flexible then regular tourist visas. What’s not very flexible about them though is the invitation your Russian hosts will have to get for you – it takes sometimes up to 2 months for local UVIR’s to process their request and then an original has to be sent to the Russian consulate abroad for processing.
How to keep your passport in Russia?
2. Make two sets of copies of your passport, visa and other travel papers and keep them separately – one in your luggage and another in your office or with your family and friends.
What are the prohibited items in Russia?
7. Military-type firearms, narcotic drugs, explosives, radioactive, poisonous and other dangerous substances are prohibited to import to Russia. 8. Travelers carrying sport-guns or shotguns in their luggage must receive special permits through their Russian agents to take them in and out of the country. 9.
Do you need a registration for a Russian visa?
Registration requirement for all Russian Visas, obtained through Go To Russia! Travel can be satisfied by one of the following:
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 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.
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.
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 ...
What is a Russian visa?
A Russian visa is a special document attached to your passport, that grants you a permit to enter and to leave the Russian Federation during a period of time specified in the visa. Every foreign citizen needs a Russian visa to enter / leave Russia, except nationals of some countries, including most of South America (see the full list of visa free travel countries ).
How to apply for a Russian tourist visa?
For example, to apply for a tourist visa, you need to submit: a) your passport, b) three passport-size photos, c) a visa application form (it is a questionaire available in the consulate for free; or on our Russian visa downloads page), and d) an invitation from Russia (the type of the invitation depends on the visa you wish to get – tourist, business or private). There might be some additional requirements if you apply for a business or student visa (e.g. travel insurance or HIV test), but they are not always obligatory.
How much does it cost to get a visa?
Usually, a tourist visa costs from $60 to $100 US (lowest) and takes about 7 to 14 days to process.
How many types of Russian visas are there?
Generally, there are six types of Russian visas: 1) a tourist visa, 2) a business visa, 3) a student visa, 4) a personal (private) visa, 5) a transit visa, 6) work visa. Each visa type corresponds to the purpose of your visit. However, many people come for a short business trip with tourist visas, or to visit their friends with business visas.
How long is a Russian visa valid?
A Russian Visa. Since October 2019 it is also possible to get a Russian e-visa, which is only valid for some territories for the maximum duration of 8 days. This visa does not get glued into your passport, rather, it's a PDF document, which you present at the border and it's free.
What happens if you don't register your visa?
If you don't register your visa or fail to show a proof that it has been registered, you might face a fine of $30 US and possible deportation (although the latter is unheard of).
How long do you have to leave Russia?
Their migration card will then be stamped with a specific departure date – according to this information! Even if the visa is valid for a full 30 days, for example, but the migration card was issued for only 25 days, that person will need to leave Russia IN 25 DAYS or before the date on his or her migration card.
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.
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 is a Russian passport valid?
Check your passport’s validity. If your passport is valid for less than six months on the day you plan to leave Russia, you will not be able to apply for a Russian tourist visa. Get the Invitation (Visa Support). This is where you start 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
What is a Russian visa?
A visa to the Russian Federation is a document that allows you to stay in Russia for a specific period of time. The visa lists entry/exit dates, your name, passport details, and your purpose of travel. Please note that your Russian visa is an exit permit in the same way it is an entry permit: if you lose it or stay beyond your designated departure ...
What is a tourist visa in Russia?
A tourist visa is the best option when you know exactly where and how long you will be staying without diverting from your planned itinerary. For a tourist visa to Russia, you must have confirmed accommodation for every night of your stay in the country.
When will the Russian Federation allow electronic visas?
Electronic visas for Kaliningrad & Far Eastern Federal District. Starting from July 1, 2019, nationals of 53 foreign States may be granted an e-visa to enter the Russian Federation through the border crossing points , located on the territory of the Kaliningrad region. For more information follow this link: ...
Do Russian visas need fingerprints?
Fingerprint scanning is required for all Russian visa applications in the UK. Please note that on 10 December 2014, Russian Consulates in the United Kingdom launched fingerprinting technology for all types of visas.
Where to fill out Russian visa application?
Second, after you received your visa support, you should fill out your Russian visa application form online available on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID) website visa.kdmid.ru. The application for the Russian visa should be filled out after you get your visa support (or invitation), because it must have the same details as the invitation (otherwise you may be refused your visa). Below we explain how to fill out this form, step by step, as it's sometimes too complicated for travelers to understand what the bureaucrats really want...
Where to bring passport to Russian consulate?
bring it along with the other documents (passport, photos, insurance) to the office of the visa processing agency recommended by your Russian consulate.
What is a Russian visa?
A Russian visa is essentially formal authorization from the Russian government to be able to enter Russia for a specific period. There are 6 main types of Russian visas, tourist, personal, business, student, work, and transit visas.
How much does it cost to apply for a Russian visa?
The Russian consulate fee varies significantly depending on your citizenship. Most European citizens pay about 35 EUR for the visa and 30 EUR for the visa center fee.
What is a Russian Tourist Invitation?
A Russian tourist invitation is a document issued by a Russian tourist agency that is officially registered with the Russian department of tourism. A Russian tourist invitation is required if you are applying for a Russian tourist visa.
How big is a passport photo for a visa?
You must provide one passport-style photograph with your visa application that is sized 3.5cm x 4.5cm. In the US, any passport photo will do. Typically, they call them 2in x 2in, and this is acceptable.
How long can you stay in the airport in Russia?
If you are simply transiting through Russia you may stay in the airport for up to 24 hours in the international terminal only. You do not need a visa if you have a layover in Russia and you arrive at and depart from the same airport within 24 hours.
Who is Let's Russia?
Let’s Russia is the official visa provider for Expatriant. They are our partners and provide the best customer service on the market for getting Russian visas. There are two options for visa support from Let’s Russia, the Standard Package and the No Hassle Package.
