how to get a russian tourist visa in the us

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

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.

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. ...

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 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. ...

How long does it take to get a Russian tourist visa in the US?

Consular Fees, Entry, and Validity OptionsTypeEntryProcessing TimeRegularSingle10-12 Business DaysRegularDouble10-12 Business DaysRegular3 Year Multiple10-12 Business Days

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.

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

$160 / $160*Regular Processing Time is 20 Calendar Days from the day the documents are submitted to the Russian Consulate for review....Visa Fees At A Glance.NUMBER OF ENTRIESCONSULAR FEE REGULAR* / EXPEDITED**Single Entry**$160 / $160Double Entry**$160 / $1603 Year Multiple Entry **$160 / $160

How can I get Russian tourist 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.

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.

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 long does a Russian visa take to get?

It takes between 4 working days and 6 weeks to get your Russian visa depending upon the type that you need. The cost also varies according to the visa's type and how quickly you need it.

How fast can you get a visa to Russia?

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. If your application is sent back, you delay getting the invitation letter, or you have to apply through the mail, it can potentially take weeks.

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 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 for tourism from Pakistan?

Open. Russia is open for travel. Most visitors from Pakistan can travel to Russia without restrictions. No quarantine is required.

How do I get a Russian invitation letter?

Indeed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the AFMS (administrative migration federal service) can be solicited in order to provide the invitation letter. With this document, a person (a Russian citizen) or an institution registered in Russia is inviting you to visit him or them in Russia on a specific purpose.

Can Indian travel to Russia now?

In light of the Covid-19 related travel restrictions and rules/guidelines, Indian nationals travelling to Russia on tourist, business visas, etc. are advised to travel only on DIRECT FLIGHTs between Delhi and Moscow.

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 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 included in a tourist invitation?

The look of a tourist invitation is not regulated by law but it must contain the name of the travel company and its reference number, passport details of the tourist, cities to be visited, the validity period of the visa, number of entries and some other information.

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 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 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.

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 ...

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 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.

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 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.

What are the terrorist groups in Russia?

Terrorism: Terrorist groups, transnational and local terrorist organizations, and lone actors inspired by extremist ideology and messaging continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas

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.

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.

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.

Where to go for a visa interview?

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

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.

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.