how to apply for a visa to russia from usa

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. ...

Full Answer

Is it hard for an American to get a Russian visa?

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. If you are an American, or applying for a Russia visa in USA, follow the steps listed below: Get the Invitation (Visa Support).

Do US citizens need a visa to visit Russia?

Yes. A required document to enter Russia for a citizen of the USA is a visa. A visa to Russia from USA can be received in the consulates and embassies of the Russian Federation. When applying for a visa an American citizen should give in an Invitation, sent by an individual or a juridical person from Russia. The visa applicants should also fill in an application form and pay the consulate fee.

How to apply for a Russian visa as an American?

• 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. ...

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.

How much is a visa from USA to Russia?

$160 / $160Visa Fees At A GlanceNUMBER OF ENTRIESCONSULAR FEE REGULAR* / EXPEDITED**Single Entry**$160 / $160Double Entry**$160 / $1603 Year Multiple Entry **$160 / $160

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 long does it take to get a tourist visa to Russia from USA?

After 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 difficult is it to get a visa to Russia from the USA?

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.

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 do I get a tourist visa for 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.

How much does a Russian tourist visa cost?

Request a single-entry visa, which is valid for 30 days for $90, plus a processing fee of $33–118 (explained below). 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.

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 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 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 long does it take to process a visa for Russia?

It takes between 4 working days and 6 weeks to get your Russian visa depending upon the type that you need.

How much time does it take to get visa for Russia?

Processing Time The Embassy and Consulate General of the Russian Federation in India process visa applications and decide whether or not to issue a visa within the processing times service standards of up to 10 working days. This is subject to a complete set of documents being provided and consular fees paid.

How long does it take for a Russian to get a US visa 2022?

A US visa can take up to 3 months to be issued to a Russian citizen depending on the wait time for the interview and administrative processing requirements for the applicant.

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 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.

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 a business visa in Russia?

Business visa suits the foreign applicants who are concerned in exploring business opportunities of Russia.

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).

Can a US citizen be refused a visa?

However such an investigation would be done by the consulate where a USA citizen applies for a visa. If he/she is found to have incurred any penalties during any previous visits, he/she will be refused a visa. Thus an invitation from a travel company does not guarantee you will be granted a visa.

Applying for Visa at the Consulate

The next step is to decide where you would like to apply for the visa. Travelers from the USA can apply for a Russian visa directly through a Consulate or through a visa center. There are 3 Russian Consulates in the USA:

Applying for Visa through VFS Global

Unlike the Consulate, VFS Global does not require scheduling an appointment and accepts debit and credit cards, cash and money orders to VFS Services (USA) Inc. You can check the consular fees and service fees charged by VFS Global service here .

Using Full Visa Service

Alternatively, you can use our company’s Full Visa Service and we will take care of all contact with the Consulate. In this case, you send your passport and documentation to our processing centre and we take care of the rest.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How Long Does A Russian Visa Application Take?

The type of visa applied for will influence the length of the application period. The minimum processing time for a Tourist visa for Russia is 10 working days, and this is the standard for most of the visas for Russia. However, if you are applying for a private visa, the process will take significantly longer because the friend or family member applying for you in Russia will need to apply at their local Federal Migration Service Office. As a rule, your visas should be applied for and granted well before traveling to a country. Trust us, there’s nothing worse than counting down the days to your departure while waiting for that email or text that your travel documents are ready.

What Russian Embassies Issue A Russian Tourist Visa?

"According to the Decree of the Russian Federation № 1745-r of June 28, 2021 - The Consular Division of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the USA and Consulates General of the Russian Federation in New York and Houston may resume the issuance of all categories of visas." - Emba ssy of the Russian Federation in the USA

What Are The Required Documents For The Russian Tourist Visa?

For your Russian Tourist Visa, you'll need to submit the following documents:

What Is The Russian Tourist Visa Fee?

For the Russian Tourist Visa, you can expect to pay the following amount:

What Is The Russian Tourist Visa Processing Time?

Keep in mind that the processing time may be delayed under certain circumstances. These circumstances can include:

Can I Apply For A Russian Tourist Visa If I Have A US Tourist Visa?

No, unless you have residency in the US, foreign citizens/foreign nationals need to apply for a Russian Tourist Visa in their home country.

What Is a Russian Visa Invitation Letter or a Russian Tourist Voucher?

An invitation or introductory letter to Russia, or Tourist voucher (sometimes also called visa support ‒ suspiciously unofficial sounding) is a document in which a person, who is currently residing in Russia, invites you to visit them. The purpose of this visit could be for any host of reasons, but the reason for the invite will affect the type of visa to be issued. For instance, someone invited by a tour operator to take part in a Trans Siberian Railway journey would qualify for a tourist visa, and not a business visa. If however, the company inviting the individual invites them to look into ways of expanding the market for people going on a Trans Siberian Railway tour, they can be issued a business Visa. The terms “Russian tourist voucher,” “Introductory letter,” and “visa support” are used interchangeably by Russian visa agents and government websites when referring to the invitation letter and cause a great deal of confusion among potential travelers. This is a mandatory document needed to apply for a visa to Russia and it should not be confused with a hotel reservation or travel itinerary. For more information on the chameleon-like invitation/introductory letter, read our guide.

What is a Russian visa?

It is an official form of documentation that grants you permission from the Russian government to apply for a visa.

How long does it take to get a business visa in Russia?

We offer comprehensive business visa application services for Australian citizens who require a longer than a 30 day stay in Russia and prefer to leave the application process to the pro’s. A specialist will manage the entire process from start to finish, providing the expertise necessary to ensure your request is approved as quickly as possible. The service fee includes Consulate fees, business visa invitation document and our concierge service. The standard processing time is 10-16 business days. Note: expedited and double-entry visas are available upon request for an additional fee.

How long is a Russian visa valid?

There are 2 main types of Russian visas relevant to most travellers: Tourist Visa: Valid for up to 30 days from the date of entry. This is the visa most travellers use. Business Visa: Over 30 days. (Can be 90 days, 6 months or up to 1 year). Despite its name, this Russian visa can be used on travel as well as business.

How long do you have to stay in Russia to leave?

To allow for a change of plans, we suggest that you apply for the full 30 days from date of arrival. Therefore, you can then enter and leave Russia at any date within the specified period of your Russian visa. In an emergency, you may need to obtain an exit visa from the federal migration service.

How long is a private Russian passport?

Private: Over 30 days. Issued to guests of a Russian friend or relative.

How many World Heritage Sites are there in Russia?

Did you know that there are currently 26 UNESCO world heritage sites in Russia? That makes Russia 9th in the world for its total number of World Heritage Sites – 16 of which are cultural and 10 of which are natural.

How long can you visit Russia?

You can explore the Russian city you land in within an official tour group for up to 72 hours. However, you’ll need an official document from your travel provider showing your excursion. Keep in mind that if you are exempt from visa, you still need to abide by the time frame you are allowed to visit for.

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.

Is the US consulate in Yekaterinburg suspended?

Consular services at the U.S. Consulates in Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok remain in suspended status. On May 14, 2021, President Biden revoked Presidential Proclamation 9945, Suspension of Entry to Immigrants Who Will Financially Burden the United States Healthcare System.

Is document delivery discontinued in Russia?

Effective June 1, 2021 provision of document delivery services is discontinued from 27 Russia post document delivery location in Russia. VFS Global document delivery locations will continue to provide the services. Please visit this page to learn additional information about the list of locations.

How long does a Russian visa last?

USA tourist visa is required for Russian citizens. The stay is usually long with a period of 180 days and visa expires in upto 10 years. Applicant is required to be present when applying for USA tourist visa. A total of 11 documents are required for applying USA tourist visa. You can also find useful tips from fellow travellers.

What financial documents are required to be filed in Russia?

Any financial documents like FD, Shares, Mutual Funds, NSC, PPF, Property papers or any other financial documents in Russia.

Where to go for a visa interview?

Visit the U.S. Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview.

Do you need an appointment to visit the US embassy?

Some countries citizens dont need an appointment, you can check this with the US embassy in your country.