how to get russian visa for us citizen

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. ...

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 for a US citizen to get a Russian visa?

10-12 Business DaysConsular Fees, Entry, and Validity OptionsTypeEntryProcessing TimeRegularSingle10-12 Business DaysRegularDouble10-12 Business DaysRegular3 Year Multiple10-12 Business Days

How hard is it to get a Russian visa for a US citizen?

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.com can make things easier for you by helping you get your invitation letter quickly.

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

Can I get 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.

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.

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...

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

What is a tourist visa in Russia?

Tourist visa or visitor visa . This kind of visa is for visiting Russia for sightseeing and general tourism, but can also be for short business meetings or participating in auctions or exhibitions.

What age can a non-Russian citizen travel to Russia?

According to the current rules a close relative is a spouse or their children under the age of 18. An invitation for a private visa.

How long does a Russian passport last?

A valid travel passport of your country with at least two blank pages designated for visas and expiring no sooner than 6 months after the end date of the visa you are applying for. We highly recommend to check the expiration date of your passport before applying for a Russian visa. Also, please make sure that you have signed your passport.

What is required to get a visa for a child under 18?

If you are applying for a visa for a child under the age of 18, a copy of the child’s birth certificate is required along with copies of both parent’s passports and marriage certificate when applicable. For non-U.S. citizen applicants, proof of having medical travel insurance is required.

When will the Russian visa end?

Most likely it won’t be lifted until November 2021. However, some exceptions have been made over the last few months.

Can an American citizen travel to Russia?

This is only possible for American citizens when the Russian citizen has a valid Russian internal passport and there is a stamp with residence registration in Russia in the internal passport. Both requirements, the internal passport and stamped residence registration, are necessary to obtain a multiple entry visa.

Do you need a copy of your Russian passport for a double entry visa?

There are no requirements about the amount of coverage. You can choose minimum coverage options. A copy of your airline ticket is not required for a Russian visa, unless you are requesting a double entry visa or you need urgent processing of your visa.

What is ivisa.com?

iVisa.com is a great resource to use if you want to find out more about the travel documents that you need for a smooth arrival in any country around the world. If you want to chat to us about your application, fire us an email or send us a message on chat.

How to avoid e-visa panic?

Now you travel in two days and you’re in a panic about your e-Visa. The best way to avoid this nightmare scenario is by booking in advance as soon as your dates are finalised.

Is Russia a magical place?

An unforgettable destination, Russia is a magical place with a fascinating history and whole cities full of eye-catching architecture. Get ahead by applying for the Russia e-Visa for citizens of the United States through the simple format created by iVisa.com.

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 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.

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.