Russian Visa Application Requirements

Getting a visa might be a challenge when you do not have the right information. We will guide you through the Russian visa application requirements for a Russian tourist visa and a Russian business visa. Furthermore, we help with the travel documents for your visa application and also with the tour bookings for your visit to Moscow and St Petersburg.

The tourist visa allows entry into Russia for up to 30 days. It can also come as a single entry or double entry visa. What this means is that a single-entry visa allows you to enter Russia one time during your visa period. A double-entry allows you to enter Russia two times within the period for which your visa is valid. So, with a double-entry visa, you can enter Russia, leave and re-enter within your visa validity period.

On the other hand, the business visa can be double or multiple entries. This visa can be valid for up to 1 year for most countries and for 3 years for citizens of the USA. Whereas tourist visa allows a stay of up to 30 days, the Russian business visa allows a stay in Russia for 90 days maximum within every period of 180 days. This applies to those with a 1-year valid business visa. For those with a 3-year valid visa, they can enjoy a maximum stay of 180 days in Russia.

Russian visa application requirements for a Tourist Visa

The following are the Russian visa application requirements for a tourist visa as determined by the Russian consulate:

1. You need a valid passport. The expiry date on the passport should be more than 6 months from the date of your departure from Russia. The passport must have at least one blank page where the visa will be pasted.

2. Also, you need a tourist invitation letter. You may have seen it being referred to as a tourist voucher, a tourist invitation letter, visa support, or a confirmation letter; indeed, we are talking about the same document. This document will be used when filling the visa application form. The name of the inviting organisation, the reference number and confirmation number will be required. Apply for your invitation letter now at the best rate. We certainly deliver to your email within 30 minutes of payment confirmation.

3. You need to fill, complete and sign a Russian visa application form. It is available for free on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://visa.kdmid.ru. Ensure all details on the visa application form is correct before submitting and printing.

4. You need to attach a passport-size photograph to the visa application form. It should be taken not more than 6 months from the time you are applying for a visa. Face should be non-smiling and no glasses

5. You need travel insurance that is valid in Russia. This travel insurance should cover your period of stay in Russia. For UK citizens the NHS is a valid insurance document in Russia, no need to get another travel insurance.

Optional Requirements:

• As part of the Russian visa application requirements for some countries, the Russian consulate may require your bank statements. The statement should cover transactions of the last 6 months and it should bear your bank stamp.

• Additionally, hotel booking and flight reservations may be presented as part of the Russian visa application requirements for some countries. Make hotel reservation below:

• For some countries, you will be required to provide an itinerary that details every day of your stay in Russia if you will stay in Russia for longer than six days. We can help you with this if you order your tourist invitation from us.

Russian Tourist Invitation

On the Russian visa application requirements, one of the documents that may seem difficult to get is the Russian tourist invitation. Undoubtedly, you can get it from us. We send to you is in pdf format. Apply on our website and get it after payment confirmation. Download the invitation from your email and print a copy for submission at the Russian consulate or visa centre. For most nationals, the print-out of the electronic copy of the tourist invitation sent to your email is enough for the visa application.

In a few cases, the Russian consulate may require the original invitation for a few countries. This is sometimes the case for migration risk countries like Morocco, Iraq, etc. With this in mind, we advise that you confirm from the Russian consulate in your country of visa application to be sure if the electronic copy is enough. The original copy can be requested on our website and we will send it through DHL at a cost.

Russian visa application requirements for a Business Visa

The following are the Russian visa application requirements for a business visa as determined by the Russian consulate:

1. You need a valid passport. The expiry date on the passport should be more than 6 months from the date of your departure from Russia. The passport must have at least one blank page where the visa will be pasted.

2. As part of the Russian visa application requirements, you need a business invitation letter. This document will be used when filling the visa application form. The name of the inviting organisation, the reference number and confirmation number will be required. Apply for your business invitation letter now at the best rate

3. You need to fill, complete and sign a Russian visa application form. It is available for free on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://visa.kdmid.ru. Ensure all details on the visa application form is correct before submitting and printing.

4. You also need to attach a passport-size photograph to the visa application form. It should be taken not more than 6 months from the time you are applying for a visa. Face should be non-smiling and no glasses
5. You need a travel insurance that is valid in Russia.

Optional Requirements:

• As part of the Russian visa application requirements for some countries, the Russian consulate may require your bank statements for the last 6 months bearing your bank stamp.

• For some other countries, an HIV test may be required if you’re applying for a visa longer than 6 months.

Russian Business Invitation

There are two types of Russian business invitation. One is eFMS issued by the Federal Migration Service for favourable countries. This invitation takes 10 to 23 days to process and is available for countries in Europe, the USA and some migration risk countries. The 2nd type is an invitation on the letterhead of the company authorized by the Russian Migration Service. This invitation takes about an hour to process but it is available for only a few EU countries and the USA. Apply here now 

Russian visa application requirements for a Private Visa

The following are the Russian visa application requirements for a private visa as determined by the Russian consulate:

1. You need a valid passport. The expiry date on the passport should be more than 6 months from the date of your departure from Russia. The passport must have at least one blank page where the visa will be pasted.

2. You need a private invitation certificate from the local immigration officials or local police department in Russia.

3. You need to fill, complete and sign a Russian visa application form. It is available for free on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://visa.kdmid.ru. Ensure all details on the visa application form is correct before submitting and printing.

4. You also need to attach a passport-size photograph to the visa application form. It should be taken not more than 6 months from the time you are applying for a visa. Face should be non-smiling and no glasses.

Private vs Tourist Invitation:

It is quite stressful to get a private invitation certificate compared to a tourist invitation. Aside being quite stressful, it is also more expensive. We advise you to choose a tourist visa over a private visa since getting a tourist invitation letter for a tourist visa is easier. The only advantage of a private visa over a tourist visa is the duration of entry. The private visa allows entry for up to 90 days while the tourist visa is only for 30 days.

In conclusion, Russia welcomes you with open arms whether your visit is for private reason, for tourism, for study or for business. We have awesome places you may like to visit when you come to Moscow. Besides Moscow, there are beautiful places to also visit in St Petersburg. You can also book a tour in Russia through our partner.

For Russian visa application requirements for other European countries, check details here

For questions about Russian visa application requirements you can email us or chat with us.