Is it easy to get a visa to Russia?
In recent years, the Russian embassies have made it easier to get a visa to Russia for most nationalities. Russian tourist visas for US citizens are even issued for 3 years, whereas most other countries can only apply for Russian tourist visas for up to 30 days.
How much does it cost to get a Russian visa?
Due to the US charging Russian citizens $160 for US tourist visas, unfortunately, the price for US citizens applying for Russian tourist and business visas is $160. The visa center will charge an additional $38 service fee and if you mail it to them, they will charge an additional $45.
What is a Russian visa and how does it work?
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.
What is an entry entry visa for Russia?
Entry Visas. 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.
Is it hard to get a Russian tourist visa?
It is impossible to obtain an entry visa upon arrival, so travelers must apply for their visas well in advance. U.S. citizens who apply for Russian visas in third countries where they do not have permission to stay more than 90 days may face considerable delays in visa processing.
How quickly can you get a Russian tourist 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. Applications are accepted anywhere from 30 to 60 days before departure (figure on two to four weeks for processing from the time your application is received).
How do I get a tourist visa to Russia?
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.
Why would a Russian visa be denied?
Incomplete supporting documentation is the most common reason for refusing one a visa. Refusal is also possible if the visa application was not filled out correctly. If the applicant was issued with an entry ban to the Russian Federation, they will be refused an entry visa in the Russian Embassy or Consulate.
How much does a Russian tourist visa cost?
$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 documents do I need for a Russian tourist visa?
Russian Tourist VisaYour original passport with at least 2 blank visa-designated pages (passport must be valid for at least 6 months after intended departure date from Russia).Two copies of Russian visa application form, completed and signed.ONE passport-size photo signed on the back.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.
How much is a Russian visa for US citizens?
$160 / $160Visa Fees At A GlanceNUMBER OF ENTRIESCONSULAR FEE REGULAR* / EXPEDITED**Single Entry**$160 / $160Double Entry**$160 / $1603 Year Multiple Entry **$160 / $160
How do I know if my Russian visa is approved?
You can check the status of your visa application on ceac.state.gov. If your visa has been denied, you may find useful information on Ineligibilities and Waivers on usvisas.state.gov.
Can you get a Russian visa with a criminal record?
Russia. One must fill out a visa application and list any criminal convictions on the form to visit Russia. If severe enough, those convictions can disqualify someone from obtaining a visa.
Can you cancel Russian citizenship?
The process of renouncing Russian citizenship can take between 6-12 months. To renounce Russian citizenship, one must have a valid (not expired) Russian passport. Renewing a Russian passport usually takes an additional 2-4 months.
Can I apply for 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.
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 ...
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.
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)
What is the visa for Russia?
Visa must include entry and exit dates of visiting Russia. It means the first and last date that you will be in the country. By this reason you will need to know the dates of your trip before applying for visa.
What documents are needed for a Russian visa?
Now you have all the required documents: passport, invitation, travel insurance and completed form signed and with a photo. Please contact with Russian Embassy at you country and visit consulate to apply document for visa.
How to collect passport with visa?
In order to collect your passport with your visa you will need to present the original receipt given to you during the submission. If you wish to nominate somebody to collect the passport on your behalf, they must carry the original receipt.
How long is a Russian passport valid?
To apply for the visa you must submit your original passport, which will remain in the hands of the Consulate or Russian Visa Center for a few days . This is because the visa will be attached to one of the pages of your passport.
Does the Russian Federation accept resubmission of passports?
The Embassy of the Russian Federation accept resubmission of passports for correction on the day of the passport collection only.
How do I fill out the Russian tourist visa application?
Once you have your passport, the tourist visa invitation, and your passport photo, it is time to fill out the Russian visa application form. You must do this electronically on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation website. You must fill out the application completely and sign it. Do not forget to sign the application.
Who needs a Russian tourist visa?
As mentioned above, most people need a visa to visit Russia as a tourist. Only the citizens of the following countries do NOT need a Russian visa to visit Russia for tourism.
How long is a Russian tourist visa valid?
Russian tourist visas are only valid for tourism purposes. Most nationalities may apply for a tourist visa valid for a maximum of 30 days. They are either single or double entry tourist visas, and you can enter Russia only once or twice. You may choose the number of entries when you apply.
What is a Russian tourist invitation?
A tourist invitation is a document issued by a Russian tourist agency officially registered with the Russian tourism department. A tourist invitation is required if you are applying for a Russian tourist visa.
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 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.
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.
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 ...
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.
