
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.
- For citizens of all other countries – 7 to 20 working days.
How difficult is it to get a visa to Russia?
- Complete the Russian visa online application form. The application form for a Russia visa for US citizens is available at kdmid.ru. ...
- Collect the Russia visa required documents for US citizens. Proceed with collecting the required documents for a Russian visa. ...
- Apply at a Russian Visa Processing Center in the US. ...
- Wait for the processing of your visa. ...
How long does it take to get as Russian business visa?
If you have a valid passport, recent photographs, and apply through an agency like Travel Visa Pro, it's possible to get your Russian visa in as little as 2-3 business days.
What are Russian visa requirements?
To apply for a Russian Tourist Visa, you will need the following documents:
- Original passport, valid for more than 6 months with at least 2 blank pages for your visa and entry/exit stamps
- Application form
- One passport-type photograph
- Tourist visa support documents (hotel voucher and confirmation of tourist acceptance)
- Applicable fee
- Fingerprints submitted at our office
How do I apply for a visa to Russia?
If you are an American, or applying for a Russia visa in USA, follow the steps listed below:
- Get the Invitation (Visa Support). The Invitation is the basement of your application. ...
- 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. ...

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 do you get a Russian tourist visa in the US?
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.
Is Russia issuing tourist visas to U.S. citizens?
Single or double-entry tourist visas are issued for up to 30 days. The dates are indicated in your voucher. We recommend that US citizens apply for 3-year multiple-entry tourist visas regardless of the dates, number of entries and period of stay indicated in the tourist voucher.
Can U.S. citizens get a Russian visa now?
U.S. citizens must obtain visas in advance at a Russian Embassy or Consulate or official visa center in the US. It is not possible to obtain a Russian entry visa upon arrival.
How much does a Russian visa cost for US citizens?
$160.00The 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.
Can I apply for 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.
What are the requirements for Russian 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
When does an evisa expire?
For example, if the traveler passes through Russian border control upon entry at 8:00 pm on the first day of a month, then they will need to have exited the territory by 11:59 pm on the 8th day of the same month , when the eVisa validity will expire.
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.
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.
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.
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).
What is a business visa in Russia?
Business visa suits the foreign applicants who are concerned in exploring business opportunities of Russia.
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.
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.
Is it illegal to take cold medicine in Russia?
Certain classes of over-the-counter cold medicines, such as those containing pseudoephedrine, are illegal in Russia. We recommend against bringing cold medication with you to Russia.
Health Document
Negative COVID-19 PCR test result required for all international travellers coming to Australia. The negative PCR test must be issued with in 72 hours of before departure.
Vaccination Document
COVID-19 vaccination proof for travellers coming to Australia. The last dose of vaccine must be taken atleast 14 ays before departure.
Passport Copy
A clear scan copy of passport of Russia with the information pages that has signature. Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details and passport issue and expiry dates. Must be valid for six months beyond the expiry date of the visa.
National Identity
A certified copy of your national identity card/s (other than your passport) of Russia. You must provide a copy of both sides of each card.
Invitation Letter
A letter from your relative or friend or company inviting you to visit and their relationship to you. The letter could state: the purpose of your visit and length of stay, if you will be staying with them, If this person will be paying for your stay, provide proof of their funds.
Travel itinerary
Travel itinerary is travel reservation to and from Russia in your name, not a ticket. Embassy recommends not to purchase hotel and flight tickets until visa is approved. So don’t risk your money, time and effort by buying actual tickets. Get best hotel and flight itinerary within minutes for any country visa.
Character Document
Proof of your good character from Russia. Provide any military service record or discharge papers, if applicable.
