Full Answer
Can a US citizen get a visa for Russia?
Russian Visas. The Russian government maintains a restrictive and complicated visa regime for foreigners who visit, transit, or reside in the Russian Federation. A U.S. citizen who does not comply with Russian visa laws can be subject to arrest, fines, and/or deportation.
Can I travel to Russia with an expired passport?
You must have a current U.S. passport with the appropriate visa. Russian visas in an expired or canceled passport are not valid. You must obtain a valid visa for your specific purpose of travel before arriving in Russia, unless you are arriving as a cruise ship passenger (see below information for passengers of cruise ships and ferries).
How does the Russian visa system work?
The Russian visa system includes a number of provisions that may be unfamiliar to Americans, including: Sponsorship. Under Russian law, every foreign traveler must have a Russian-based sponsor, which could be a hotel, tour company, relative, employer, university, etc.
What are the requirements for a tourist visa for Russia?
To obtain a tourist visa for Russia, these are the general requirements: An original passport with at least two blank pages to designate for visas, valid for at least six months after your intended departure from Russia Two copies of the completed and signed Russian visa application form
Russian Visa Requirements for US Citizens
Americans may find the visa process for visiting Russia a bit annoying, to say the least. While countries like Vietnam and Cambodia do require a visa to be obtained in advance, websites are available for e-visa purchases. Russia has yet to offer this, as the requirements are more complicated.
Where to Apply for a Russian Visa
The Russian government sanctions five visa centers based in San Francisco, Washington DC, New York City, Houston, and Seattle, where Travel Visa Pro has offices. Should you be considering a Russian visa, contact one of these offices.
Types of Visas to Russia
Tourist Visa: Single, double, and multiple entry visas (generally not available for US citizens traveling there for the first time) are available for visiting Russia as a tourist for up to three months. See the requirements listed above.
Russian Visa Processing Time and Fees
Two types of processing are available for any Russian visa: 4-20 business days (standard), and 3 business days (expedited). In general, you should expect expedited processing to cost twice as much as standard. More about time frames can be found here.
Travel Visa Pro and Visas to Russia
Travel Visa Pro was founded on facilitating the Russian visa process for business travelers. As a result, many of the staff across the country are experienced in expediting these applications and answering any questions you might have, from our founder to our travel experts in San Francisco.
How to get a visa for Russia?
To determine the exact visa requirements for your visit, contact the Russian Embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your area. To obtain a tourist visa for Russia, these are the general requirements: 1 An original passport with at least two blank pages to designate for visas, valid for at least six months after your intended departure from Russia 2 Two copies of the completed and signed Russian visa application form 3 Two passport-sized photos with your signature on the back 4 If applicable, a letter from your tour company or cruise line confirming your trip's itinerary and including a copy of confirmation from an authorized Russian travel company 5 If applicable, confirmation of hotel arrangements from an authorized Russian travel company or directly from the Russian hotel
How long is a Russian visa valid?
Types of Russian Visas. If you need a visa for your visit to Russia, you'll likely need one of these types: Tourist (for single or double entry, valid up to 30 days) Business (for single or double entry, valid up to three months; multiple entries, valid for one year) Private (valid up to three months, based only on a private invitation ...
How many copies of the Russian visa application form?
Two copies of the completed and signed Russian visa application form
Why is the US not allowed to travel to Russia?
The U.S. government generally discourages travel to Russia, citing potential threats of terrorism and harassment. The government also restricts travel by U.S. citizens to certain areas that have increased risk, such as North Caucasus and Crimea. Overall, the United States requests that its citizens take the following precautions for travel in Russia:
Which countries do not require a visa?
Paraguay (for visits of to 90 days in any 180-day period) Serbia (limits vary depending on type of passport and/or visitor permit) The Republic of South Africa (for visits up to 90 days) Uruguay (for visits up to 90 days in any 180-day period) If you're planning a visit to Russia that falls into one of the above categories, you don't need a visa.
Which country has the most tourists?
Croatia (for visits up to 30 days for tourists and 90 days for other visitors) Dominican Republic (for visits up to 90 days) Hong Kong (for visits up to 14 days) Iceland (for visits up to 90 days) Israel (for visits up to 90 days) Kazakhstan . Kirghiz Republic.
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 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.
Can you travel on a cruise ship without a passport?
Hotels and hostels may not allow guests to check in without a passport, a migration card, or Russian visa.
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.
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.
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.
