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Comprehensive Guide to
Russian Visas
A Russian visa is a required entry permit for various purposes like tourism, business, study, or work. It involves obtaining an invitation letter, completing an application form, and providing supporting documents. Visa types include tourist, business, student, and work visas, each with specific requirements. Registration upon arrival might also be necessary.
Our expert team streamlines the process of obtaining a Russian visa. We offer comprehensive guidance, from form filling to documentation, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. With up-to-date knowledge of the latest regulations, we navigate complexities on your behalf, making the Russian visa application journey smooth and hassle-free. Focus on your travel plans while we handle the paperwork.
Please note that visa regulations and procedures can change, so it’s recommended to verify the information with an up-to-date and official source before making any travel plans
As of June 28, 2021, the Russian consulate in the U.S.A. has resumed issuing visas of all categories, which includes tourist visas. However, it is important to note that these visas will only be granted to U.S. citizens and citizens of other countries who hold U.S. Green Cards.
If you decide to engage Visa Online Express services, a highly qualified Registered Migration Agent will carefully review your profile to determine your eligibility for a Russian Visa.
By choosing Visa Online Express, you will benefit from the best Russian visa advice and comprehensive support throughout your visa application process, as we have a team of highly experienced Russian visa and immigration experts at your disposal.
Russia Tourist Visa
To visit Russia for excursions, sightseeing, cultural events, or tourism, all U.S. nationals must obtain a Russian visa. Once a Russian travel agency confirms its hosting of an American tourist, the visa will be issued. Regular Russian visas can be single entry or double entry, allowing a maximum stay of 30 days. However, thanks to the simplified visa agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation, Americans have the option to apply for a 3-year multi-entry Russian visa. This longer-term visa enables Americans to enter and stay in Russia for extended periods.
- This comprehensive guideline will provide you with all the necessary information to obtain a visa for your travel to Russia.
Invitation Voucher:
The first crucial document you need is an invitation and voucher, also known as the visa support document. It contains essential details to be filled in the visa application form. After confirming your arrangements with a Russian hotel, a rented apartment, or a cruise ship, ensure you request confirmation and a voucher. If you plan to stay at multiple locations, you must obtain this document from each place you intend to visit. Keep in mind that there is no standardized format for these documents, but they are essential for your Russian visa application. However, if you apply through us, this document is not required.
Passport Requirements:
To ensure a smooth process, please adhere to the following guidelines when submitting your passport:
Validity: Your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of application.
Blank Pages: Please ensure that your passport contains at least two blank pages designated for VISA use. Note that endorsement and amendment pages do not fulfill this requirement.
Photograph Requirements:
As part of the Russian visa application process, applicants are required to provide a single passport-size photograph that meets the following criteria:
- Recent: The photograph should have been taken within the last six months and printed on high-quality photo paper.
- Background: The background must be entirely white.
- Size: The photo must measure 2 inches by 2 inches.
- Expression: Please maintain a neutral expression without smiling.
- Facial Features: Your full-frontal view with facial features should be visible, and the face must be aligned in the middle of the photo.
- Eyeglasses and Headwear: Avoid wearing eyeglasses and any form of headwear, except for religious purposes.
- Attachment: Do not fix the picture to the application using adhesive or staples, as any evidence of this disqualifies the photo.
Russian Visa Application Form:
The next step in the process is to complete and sign the Russian visa application form. Please follow the instructions below carefully:
- Online Application: Click on the provided link to access the official Russian visa application hosted by the Foreign Ministry in Russia. Take your time to fill out the form with detailed and accurate information. Make sure to note down the application password at the top of the printed form.
- Country Selection: Choose “UNITED STATES” from the drop-down menu to indicate your country of residence.
- Visa Issuing Office: Depending on the state that will process your visa, select “Russia Visa Center Houston.” Applications without “Russia Visa Center” selected will not be accepted.
- Authentic Information: Provide authentic answers for all fields on the application form.
- Name Entry: Enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport.
- Intended Places to Visit: List all the places you intend to visit during your stay in Russia.
- Signature: Print out the application form and sign it in the designated signature box. For minors under 18 years old, a parent or legal guardian must sign on their behalf.
Guidelines for Three-Year Multiple Entry Visa Option:
If you wish to apply for a three-year multiple entry Russian visa, follow these guidelines:
- Application Entry Type: Ensure that the number of entries on your Russian visa application form is stated as “Multiple Entry.”
- Entry and Departure Dates: The entry and departure dates you provide in the application form should cover a three-year period. For example, if your Confirmation and Voucher indicate an entry date of 12/01/2020, your departure date must be 11/30/2023, not the actual date of your departure listed on the Confirmation and Voucher.
For Former USSR or Russia Nationals:
If you are a former USSR or Russia national, you will need to provide specific documents as follows:
- Copy of your USSR passport with a stamp showing that you left for permanent residence abroad, dated before February 6th, 1992.
- Copy of a Visa to Israel issued before February 6th, 1992.
- Copy of a Certificate of Naturalization issued before 1996.
- Document confirming the renunciation of your Russian citizenship.
- Copy of the main pages of a passport from a former USSR state, issued after February 1992.
Important Notes:
- Visas cannot be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports, as per Russian law.
- Children born to two parents who are Russian citizens automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In such cases, visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents or obtain a Russian passport.
For Minors:
Minors must provide the following documents to obtain a Russian Visa:
- Copies of valid Birth Certificates.
- Valid copies of passports from both parents.
Please note that Russian law prohibits issuing visas to Russian citizens with expired passports. Children born to two parents who are Russian citizens automatically gain Russian citizenship, irrespective of their place of birth. In such cases, visas are not issued, and the child must apply for Russian citizenship or have their information registered in one of their parents’ passports or obtain a Russian passport.
Processing time | Consular fee | Processing fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
9 Business days | $300 | $250 | $550 |
15 Business days | $300 | $185 | $485 |
18 Business days | $300 | $115 | $415 |
- Visa Application: Our team of immigration specialists will handle your visa application process from start to finish, ensuring that all the necessary forms are completed and submitted to the authorities to ensure best possible results.
- International SIM Card: We offer you an International SIM Card, ensuring you stay connected with your loved ones while abroad at a more affordable cost.
- Employment Registration Number: We assist you in obtaining your employment registration number, which allows you to work overseas with ease.
Additional costs if applicable | Variables |
|---|---|
Police Clearance | Depending on nationality and Local Govt rules |
Traffic Record Variable | (depending on the state of Residence and the licence issuance) |
Medical Examination | Depending on the type of medical tests and examinations Required
|
Translation/certification Of documents fees | Variable depending on the translator
|
Russian Business Visa
Requirements for Russian Business Visa Application:
If you are traveling to Russia for official or private business purposes, you will need a business visa. Additionally, other categories of travelers require a Russian business visa if they intend to stay in the country for more than 30 days, have no specific itinerary, or wish to visit multiple times within a certain period.
Russian business visas can be issued for single entry, double entries, or multiple entries, with validity periods ranging from one to thirty-six months. Various reasons can warrant the issuance of a business visa, including:
- Commercial or business purposes
- Trips related to science and technology
- Cultural exchanges
- Forums and exhibitions
- Marketing materials
- Entry into Russia with special equipment
- Cultural relationships
- American citizens attending conferences in Russia as official speakers are advised to obtain a business visa.
To apply for a Russian business visa as a US citizen, you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Russian Business Invitation:
- It is crucial to provide an official invitation letter from Russia for your business visa application. This invitation letter is a vital document in the visa application process.
- If you have an invitation from the Russian government, you will need to submit the original copy. However, if you have an electronic invitation, the original is not required.
- Individuals with a Telex invitation need to apply for a visa in the city where the Telex was approved, which may be different from the city where the visa is processed, presenting some challenges.
If you have a direct invitation from a host company in Russia, the letter must meet specific criteria:
- It should be written in Russian on the company’s official letterhead.
- The letter must be addressed to the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Houston.
- The company’s official seal must be present on the letter.
- The host organization’s full name and verifiable address, as well as the full name of the signatory, must be included.
- For legal enterprises, the taxpayer identification number must be provided.
- The letter must request a 3-year multiple-entry Russian visa and include your complete name, date of birth, passport number, gender, citizenship, proposed number of entries, reason for travel, intended destinations, cities and places to be visited, and the duration of your stay in Russia.
- The specific dates of the 36-month visa validity (e.g., April 10, 2021, to April 9, 2024) must be mentioned.
- The Russian company’s Tax ID number (TIN number) should be displayed.
- The letter must bear the signature, stamp, and date of the company’s director, along with their full name and designation.
You can obtain a Russian business invitation through Visa Online Express Program, and below are the processing time and fees:
- Details of processing time and fees can be provided by Visa Express.
- Please note that meeting all the specified requirements and providing accurate documentation is essential to ensure a successful Russian business visa application.
Passport Requirements:
To apply for a Russian visa, please send your original signed passport with the following criteria:
- Blank Pages: Your passport must have two side-by-side blank pages specifically designated for Visas.
- Expiration Period: The passport’s expiration date must not exceed six months from the date of visa application.
- Former Russian Visas: Applicants need to submit any former valid Russian visa they hold, even if it is in a separate expired or canceled passport.
- Lost or Stolen Russian Visa: If you have lost or had your valid Russian visa stolen, you must provide a police report documenting the loss.
- Visa Pages: Single-entry visa applicants must have at least one blank visa page, while multiple-entry visa applicants need at least two blank visa pages.
Photograph Requirements:
As part of the Russian visa application process, applicants need to provide a single passport-sized photograph adhering to the following criteria:
- Freshness: The photograph should have been taken within the last six months and printed on high-quality photo paper.
- Background: The background must be completely white.
- Size: The photo must measure exactly 2 inches by 2 inches.
- Expression: A neutral expression (without a smile) is required in the photograph.
- Facial Features: The photograph must display a full-frontal view with facial features aligned in the middle.
- Eyeglasses and Headwear: Avoid wearing eyeglasses and any form of headwear, with the exception of religious purposes.
- Attachment: Do not affix the picture to the application; any evidence of adhesive or staples disqualifies the photo.
Application Form:
The next step in the process is to complete and sign a Russian visa application form, which you can fill out online by clicking the provided link. This application form is hosted by the Foreign Ministry in Russia and requires detailed information, so take your time to complete it accurately. Remember to write down the application password at the top of the printed form.
Instructions for the application form:
- Country Selection: From the drop-down menu, select “UNITED STATES” as your country of residence.
- Visa Issuing Office: Depending on the state processing your visa, choose “Russia Visa Center Houston.” Applications without “Russia Visa Center” selected will not be accepted.
- Authentic Information: Provide authentic and accurate answers for all fields on the application form.
- Name Entry: Fill in your name exactly as it appears in your passport.
- Intended Places to Visit: List all the places you intend to visit during your stay in Russia.
- Signature: Print out the application form and sign it in the specified box. For minors below 18 years old, a parent or legal guardian must sign on their behalf.
Former USSR or Russia Nationals:
If you are a former USSR or Russia national, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Copy of your USSR passport with a stamp indicating you left for permanent residence abroad, dated prior to February 6th, 1992.
- Copy of a Visa to Israel issued prior to February 6th, 1992.
- Copy of a Certificate of Naturalization issued prior to 1996.
- Document confirming the renunciation of your Russian citizenship.
- Copy of the main pages of a passport from a former USSR state, issued after February 1992.
Ensure all the requirements are met, and accurate documentation is provided for a smooth Russian visa application process
Processing time | Consular fee | Processing fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
9 Business days | $300 | $250 | $550 |
15 Business days | $300 | $185 | $485 |
18 Business days | $300 | $115 | $415 |
- Visa Application: Our team of immigration specialists will handle your visa application process from start to finish, ensuring that all the necessary forms are completed and submitted to the authorities to ensure best possible results.
- International SIM Card: We offer you an International SIM Card, ensuring you stay connected with your loved ones while abroad at a more affordable cost.
- Employment Registration Number: We assist you in obtaining your employment registration number, which allows you to work overseas with ease.
Additional costs if applicable | Variables |
|---|---|
Police Clearance | Depending on nationality and Local Govt rules |
Traffic Record Variable | (depending on the state of Residence and the licence issuance) |
Medical Examination | Depending on the type of medical tests and examinations Required
|
Translation/certification Of documents fees | Variable depending on the translator
|
Russian Private Visa
The Russian private visa is intended for foreigners who wish to visit Russia for personal reasons, such as visiting friends and family. According to Russian legislation, applicants for a private Russian visa must obtain an invitation from the receiving party, who must be either a Russian citizen or a foreigner with Russian residency.
Russian Private Visa Application Requirements
Invitation:
To apply for a Russian private visa, you will need an official invitation from the Russian Federation. Alternatively, a Russian citizen residing in the US can issue the invitation on behalf of the applicant (relative, friend, spouse, or minor). The invitation letter, addressed to the Consulate of Russia, should be accompanied by supporting documents, which include:
- A copy of the Russian internal passport of the inviter.
- A copy of the registration stamp inside the Russian passport.
- A copy of the marriage certificate or birth certificate of the child (if applicable).
For applicants seeking a three-year visa, a notarized written statement from the hosting party in Russia is required. The statement should include details of the host, such as full name (first, middle, and last name), citizenship, date of birth, sex, registration address, passport number, and the actual address of the host. The written invitation can also be made in Russia using a notary blank or notarized by Russian citizens based in the USA. In this case, it should be accompanied by an authentic internal Russia passport, Russia foreign passport, and a US passport or green card. The invitation should include detailed information about the applicant, including full name, sex, date of birth, citizenship, visa multiplicity, passport number, purpose of the trip, and visa length, indicating the full three-year period (e.g., Entry date of 23/08/2020 till departure date 22/08/2023), the host’s proposed address of residence in Russia, and proposed cities to visit.
Passport:
Applicants must submit their original passport with at least six months of validity before expiration. Additionally, the passport must have at least two blank visa pages available for the Russian visa stamp.
Photographs:
As part of the Russian visa requirements, applicants must provide a single passport-sized photograph that adheres to the following criteria:
- The photograph should be no more than three months old and printed on high-quality photo paper.
- The background must be entirely white.
- The photo must measure exactly 2 inches by 2 inches.
- The applicant should display a neutral expression (without a smile).
- The full-frontal view and facial features should be clearly visible, with the face aligned in the middle.
- Eyeglasses and headwear are not allowed, except for religious purposes.
- The photograph should not be fixed to the application; any evidence of adhesive or staples disqualifies the photo.
Application Form:
All applicants must complete the Russian Visa application form online. The form is available at https://visa.kdmid.ru/. During the registration process, applicants will receive a Declarant ID and password, granting access to the application portal.
- Applicants are reminded to provide authentic and accurate information on the Russia private visa form to ensure a successful application. For additional support and review of the application.
Processing time | Consular fee | VOE Processing fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
9 Business days | $300 | $110 | $410 |
15 Business days | $300 | $180 | $480 |
18 Business days | $300 | $250 | $550 |
- Visa Application: Our team of immigration specialists will handle your visa application process from start to finish, ensuring that all the necessary forms are completed and submitted to the authorities to ensure best possible results.
- International SIM Card: We offer you an International SIM Card, ensuring you stay connected with your loved ones while abroad at a more affordable cost.
- Employment Registration Number: We assist you in obtaining your employment registration number, which allows you to work overseas with ease.
Additional costs if applicable | Variables |
|---|---|
Police Clearance | Depending on nationality and Local Govt rules |
Traffic Record Variable | (depending on the state of Residence and the licence issuance) |
Medical Examination | Depending on the type of medical tests and examinations Required
|
Translation/certification Of documents fees | Variable depending on the translator
|
Frequently Asked Questions
At Visa Online Express, we understand that clarity and convenience are essential when it comes to your questions and concerns. That’s why we’ve compiled this comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to provide you with quick and straightforward answers to the queries you may have. If you can’t find the information you need here, our dedicated support team is always ready to assist you.
A Russian visa is an official document that allows foreigners to enter and stay in Russia for a specified period and purpose, such as tourism, business, or private visits.
You can apply for a Russian visa by completing the visa application form, providing the necessary documents, obtaining an invitation (if required), and submitting the application to the Russian consulate or embassy.
There are several types of Russian visas, including tourist visas, business visas, private visas, work visas, student visas, and transit visas.
The requirement for an invitation varies depending on the type of visa. Tourist, business, and private visas generally require an invitation from a Russian host or organization.
The processing time for a Russian visa can vary depending on the type of visa and the consulate/embassy’s workload. It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
No, Russia does not offer visa on arrival. You must obtain a visa before traveling to Russia.
Yes, in some cases, you can complete the visa application online through the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website or the official visa application centers.
Yes, travel insurance with coverage for the duration of your stay in Russia is mandatory for visa applicants. It should cover medical expenses and repatriation.
In general, it is challenging to extend a Russian visa once you are already in the country. It is advisable to plan your visit within the visa’s validity period.
No, a single-entry visa allows you to enter Russia only once. If you plan to leave and re-enter Russia, you will need a multiple-entry visa.
To apply for a Russian business visa, you will typically need an invitation from a Russian company or organization and documents proving the purpose of your trip, such as letters of invitation and business-related documents.
A Russian visa only allows you to enter and stay in Russia. If you plan to visit other countries during your trip, you will need separate visas for those countries.
Great news!
When you choose our services, you’ll receive comprehensive support from our office.
- Whether you need help with opening a local bank account, obtaining a SIN Number (required for Canadian taxation registration before landing a job),
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Our goal is to ensure your journey is as safe and comfortable as possible.
To get started, simply click on the link to find out if you’re eligible to apply for an entry Canada visa.
Alternatively, you can contact us at [email protected] or call to speak with one of our consultants who will guide you through the process and make it easy for you.
We’re here to help you every step of the way!
