how to get russian tourist visa

^{Here’s how to apply for a Russian Tourist Visa:}

• Check if you need a Tourist visa for Russia according to your nationality and purpose of entry. If you do, proceed with the other steps.
• 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 ...
• Get the Invitation (Visa Support). This is where you start your application. You should get this letter in two ways. ...
• Complete the online Russian Tourist Visa application form. The form is available online, and you can complete it for free. ...
Collect the required documents for a Russian Tourist Visa. You can find a list of these documents below in this article.
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. ...
Pay the Russia Tourist visa fees. In most countries, you will have to pay the fees when you submit your application. ...
Wait for an answer to your application.

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. ...

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. ...

Can Americans enter Russia?

The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory Saturday telling citizens not to travel to Russia and advising those in Russia to leave “immediately.” However, Americans are not barred from entering Russia.

Is it difficult to get 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.

What is the easiest way to get a Russian tourist visa?

Have a valid passport.Set your itinerary: Cities and Hotels.Get a letter of invitation or visa support. ... Fill out the Visa Application Form.Print the Visa Application Form, sign it, and glue a photo.Take all of your documents to the Russian Visa Center (or consulate) ... Collect your passport with your visa.More items...•

How quickly can you get a Russian tourist 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. 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.

What documents do I need for a Russian tourist visa?

Russian Tourist Visa Your 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.

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.

How much is Russia visa fees?

You can now apply for a Russia visa at just Rs 6,500*. Follow our simple Russia visa application process and get your visa in 15 to 20 working days.

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 issuing visas right now?

Since 1 January 2021, the Russian government has introduced a unified e-Visa for visiting the entire Russian territory. This e-Visa allows you to enter the country only once for a tourist, business, humanitarian or family visit, for a maximum of 16 days .

Can I apply for 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.

How much bank statement is required for Russian visa?

If the applicant doesn't have three months of official statements covering the last 90 days then it is possible to provide a mixture of official statements and internet/bank printouts, for example; official statements for two months and an additional online statement showing the same account details for one month.

Can I travel to Russia right now?

Avoid all travel to Russia due to the impacts of the armed conflict with Ukraine, including limited flight options and restrictions on financial transactions. If you are in Russia, you should leave now while commercial means are still available.

How do I get an invitation letter from Russia?

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.

Is Russia issuing visas right now?

Since 1 January 2021, the Russian government has introduced a unified e-Visa for visiting the entire Russian territory. This e-Visa allows you to enter the country only once for a tourist, business, humanitarian or family visit, for a maximum of 16 days .

How do I get a 3 year Russian visa?

The Russian Federation offers U.S. nationals the opportunity to apply for a three year multiple entry visa. To be eligible for consideration, the traveler must have a passport valid for at least three and a half years beyond date of first entry into Russia with at least two blank pages.

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.

Can US citizens travel 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 ...

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 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.

What to do after arriving in Russia?

However, there are additional things you need to do after you arrive in Russia. Get the immigration card. When you arrive at the Russian port of entry, the border police will give you an immigration card. The card consists of two identical parts, which you should fill in with your information.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 are the documents required to apply?

To apply for an Invitation Letter with eVisa, you will need the following:

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.

Where to get invitation for visa in Russia?

Get the Invitation (Visa Support). The Invitation is the basement of your application. You should get this document in collaboration with your host in Russia. The host may be a friend, a family member, an employer etc. If you are planning to travel to Russia for tourism purposes, you can get your invitation from a travel agency or a hotel.

Where do US citizens apply for a Russian visa?

US citizens need to submit their Russia visa application at the Russian visa service in the American state they live.

How long does it take to get a visa for Russia?

The average processing time for a Russia Visa is 10 days. Yet, the processing can take from seven to 20 working days. Those in a hurry can apply for expedited processing, which takes three working days. A higher fee will be charged to those that want to benefit from the expedited visa application processing.

What is visa support?

Visa support. This is an invitation to travel to Russia. It may be an invitation issued by a hotel, friends, a business etc., depending on the purpose of your trip.

How many Americans visited Russia in 2018?

United States citizens are among the top twenty most frequent visitors to Russia. In 2018, 337,395 Americans traveled to Russia marking an increase of 15% from the previous year. However, traveling to Russia from the US is not an easy thing to do. Due to the political relations between the US and Russia, both countries have introduced many ...

Is it hard to get a visa for Russia?

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.

Is there a transit area at the Russian Federation airport?

You are flying with an international airline and changing flights in the Russian Federation. There is one sole condition that this airport has a transit area.

What is a Russian tourist visa?

The Russian tourist visa is an entry authorization document allowing foreign nationals to enter and travel within the Russian Federation for mostly non-essential purposes . A visa lists entry/exit dates, your vital information, passport details and some information about the inviting party.

Where to submit Russian visa application?

Submit your completed application to the Russian consulate or Russian visa processing center in person. You may have to make a prior appointment.

How long does it take to get a visa for Russia?

The processing time for a Russian tourist visa application is as follows can range anywhere between 7 to 20 working days.

How long can you stay in Russia on a cruise ship?

Petersburg), Vladivostok, Vyborg & Zarubino will be allowed Visa-free visits for up to 72 hours. in order to be eligible for this type of visa-free entry, travellers must spend the night on-board or in accommodation specifically approved by the travel agency.

How to travel to Russia for auto tourism?

If you’re traveling to Russia for auto tourism, submit a Car Registration Certificate. A cover letter with the details on the journey and itinerary will be required. Submit a list of the names of other travelers accompanying you, as well.

How long is a tourist visa valid?

Generally, a tourist visa is valid for up to 30 days. However, there are exceptions in some cases like European consulates, who only provide a tourist visa for up to 14 days. If you plan to obtain a long-term tourist visa, your application may be checked thoroughly and you may be asked for a hotel payment confirmation along with an invitation.

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.

How long can you travel to Russia with a passport?

bearers of special or official passports, traveling to the Russian Federation for less than 30 days;

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 to get a Russian visa?

If you want to travel to Russia, you need a Russian visa. In order to get the visa, you must first get a visa invitation letter (also known as visa support). After you obtain the invitation, you can submit your Russian visa application to one of the processing centers authorized by your nearest Russian consulate. At the moment, even though there are Covid-19 restrictions, you can still get a Russian visa if you're a citizen of USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Finland, Greece, China and other countries — the visa processing offices are opened in those countries. You won't need to quarantine once you arrive if you get a negative test at the airport and there are almost no Covid restrictions in Russia, so it's a perfect place to travel.

What documents are needed to get a Russian visa?

A scanned copy (per e-mail) both of the original Reservation confirmation and the Tourist voucher. These are all the documents needed to get a Russian visa. Originals can be sent by post when required by the consulate (normally the copies are sufficient). Price:

Can you send Telex to the Russian consulate?

Telex (digitally transmitted directly to the consulate), scanned copy over the e-mail, or original of the official paper invitation from the Russian Authorities. Itinerary and cover letter can be provided upon request.

Do you need a visa to travel to Russia with HIV?

Almost all consulates will require an HIV certificate if you are traveling to Russia on a business visa for 3 months or longer or require a multiple-entry visa.

What is a business visa in Russia?

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

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.

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 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 business visa valid in Russia?

Business Visa – valid for 90 days and allows a maximum of two entries. This Visa allows you to conduct business meetings in Russia.

Who is the Russian National Tourist Office?

The Russian National Tourist Office is the leading company in the UK for Russian visas, having provided Russian visa assistance to customers since 1997. For all your visa needs and any questions on the subject, feel free to contact us or apply online.

What are the different types of visas?

There are many types of Visas, and knowing which one you need is essential: 1 Tourist Visa – valid up to 30 days and allows a maximum of two entries into the country. 2 Special Purpose Tourist Visa – valid up to 30 days and allows a maximum of two entries. This Visa also allows you to attend events in Russia. 3 Business Visa – valid for 90 days and allows a maximum of two entries. This Visa allows you to conduct business meetings in Russia. 4 Multiple Entry Business Visa – valid for 365 days and has no limit on the number of entries. 5 Transit visa – can be valid up to 30 days and allows a maximum of two entries. This Visa allows you to stay in Russia for transit purposes only. 6 Private Visa – valid up to 90 days and allows a maximum of two entries. This Visa is intended for private purposes. 7 Humanitarian Visa – can be valid for up to 365 days and may have no limit on the number of entries. This type of Visa is intended for cultural, sports and charity purposes. 8 Student Visa – valid for up to several years, it is intended for students. 9 Work Visa – valid for up to several years, this Visa is intended for people who are constantly employed in Russia.

How long is a humanitarian visa valid?

Humanitarian Visa – can be valid for up to 365 days and may have no limit on the number of entries. This type of Visa is intended for cultural, sports and charity purposes.

How long is a private visa valid?

Private Visa – valid up to 90 days and allows a maximum of two entries. This Visa is intended for private purposes.

Do British citizens need a visa to travel to Russia?

British passport holders require a visa to travel to the Russian Federation. 2. Find out what type of visa you need to apply for. There are many types of Visas, and knowing which one you need is essential: Tourist Visa – valid up to 30 days and allows a maximum of two entries into the country.