GENERAL VISA ISSUES
I am a U.S. citizen, and I know that I can enter into many countries without a visa. Does this apply to Russia?
No. In order to travel to Russia, U.S. citizens must apply for Russian visa.
I am a Russian citizen and a permanent resident of U.S.. Do I need a visa to travel to Russia?
No, you don’t, if you have a valid Russian passport.
Can I get a Russian visa in Russia, without leaving the country?
No, Russian visas are issued by Russian Consulates worldwide outside Russia.
I am in St Petersburg at the moment and I’d like to prolong my stay for at least a week. Can I extend my visa?
As a rule, Russian visas cannot be extended. Local Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can prolonge your visa upon documentary proven request in case of: serious desease, accident, missing your flight or seat unavailability in case of an open-date ticket for maximum of 10 days.
I am a UK citizen. Can I get a Russian visa in a Russian consulate outside UK, for example in Paris?
Yes, if you have a residence permit in that country. If not, a UK citizen can apply for a Russian visa in UK.
Does a child need a visa to enter Russia?
Children under 16 years travelling together wth parent and on his parent’s passport do not need a separate Russian visa.
My visa has expired. What should I do?
A valid visa is necessary to leave Russia. Travelers who overstay their visa’s validity, even for one day, are prevented from departure. You have to get an exit visa. Your Visa Sponsor (person or legal entity who has issued your Russian visa Invitation) should intervene and present to Federal Migration Service office: a letter of request, your passport, two photos, travel ticket with a fixed departure date and pay a visa fee together with fine for infringement of the visa rquirements. In some cases, it your visa could be extended at the Consular Offices located in the Russian international airports. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also grant a Return Certificate on the basis of a diplomatic note from the Embassy or Consulate of your native country. With this Certificate you don’t need an exit visa and can leave Russia within 10 days.
My passport and visa were lost or stolen. What should I do?
You can get a new passport only at the Embassy or Consulate of your native country. Usually it is impossible to replace a visa, so you will need an exit visa instead. The Visa Sponsor should present to the Federal Migration Service the letter of request together with your passport, two photos, travel ticket with the fixed departure date, and pay a fee. In addition, it is necessary to obtain from the local police station a report stating that your passport and visa were lost.
NB: To avoid obstacles with getting your departure visa it’s recommended to make your passport and visa copies before leaving for Russia, and while informing local police state that your documents were lost. Otherwise you’d have to wait till the end of the theft investigation.
VISA TYPES
What is the difference between a tourist visa and a business visa?
A tourist visa is a single/double entry visa which is valid up to 30 days, while a business visa can be multi-entry and valid up to 12 months. Main difference is the trip purpose, so far the documents you have to submit to the Consulate, when applying for a tourist visa, differ from those for a business visa. The time of processing and consular fees vary also.
Can I travel on a private trip with a tourist visa?
Why not? The process of obtaining a private visa is hellish and interminable, so we advise to apply for a tourist visa instead of a private one.
If I am flying to another country through Moscow, do I need a transit visa?
Yes, you do. You should apply for a transit visa (valid for up to 72 hours) in the Russian Consulate showing them your air tickets to and from Moscow.
Can I extend my one-year multiple entry Russian visa?
Multiple-entry visas are not extendable.
INVITATIONS
What is an invitation and why do I need one in order to apply for a visa?
Whatever type of Russian visa you need (with the exception of a transit visa), it requires a specific visa support document. That is an invitation issued by the party that invites you to Russia - tourist company, friend or relative, legal institution or a company-employer.
I want to get a a tourist invitation, but the travel dates are inexact so far. Can I give a travel agency rough dates within the same month?
Yes, you may mention rough travel dates within a month. But please, note, some Consulates prefer to have identical information on your invitation, application form and tickets, so this discrepancy might lead to visa refusal.
I have booked a hotel room in St Petersburg, Russia, and received a booking confirmation. Is it enough to apply for a Russian tourist visa?
No, you need to have a tourist voucher and an invitation. They could be issued only by the company registered by the Russian Ministry of Foreigh Affairs and having reference number. Ask the hotel managers if they could assist you with ent (most hotels provide this service), or
Do I need an original invitation or is a fax/email copy enough?
Some Russian consulates accept only original invitations, while others take fax copies or even e-mail (scan) copies as well.
Who issues business and tourist invitations?
Business invitations are issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or by the Passport and Visas Department of the Ministry of Interior of Russia upon requests of accredited companies. Tourist invitations are issued by Russian travel agencies, accredited in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
How fast I can get Russian visa invitation?
A single or a double entry invitation for 3 months can be processed in 1 business day.
CONSULATE
How do I locate the nearest Russian consulate?
You are welcome to have a look at our list of Russian Consulates worldwide.
How long does it take to get a visa?
Visa processing time is diffrent in the Russian Consulates worldwide. The standard processing time is 6-10 business days. Fast processing is available at extra fee.
Is it possible to apply for the Russian visa by mail as the Russian Consulate is quite far from my home town?
If you have no opportunity to come to the Russian Consulate/Embassy in person, you can generally send there your visa documents by mail. You will get your visa from the consulate by mail when it is ready. However, some Consulates do not accept mailed applications. Then you have to refer to an authorised visa agency. Full and updated information about the requirements, processing time and fees you may get in the nearest Russian Consulates.
For what reasons I can be denied a Russian visa?
A visa refusal may occur as a result of various reasons:
• if the applicant has committed fraud or misrepresentation in the application
• if the applicant is considered to be a security risk, etc. The detailed list of visa refusal reasons is here>>>
Do I get a refund if my visa application is rejected?
Whatever is the reason for visa refusal, official consular fees are not refundable
DOCUMENTS
Will I need an HIV test to enter Russia?
When planning to stay in Russia for over 90 days (on a student or work visa) make sure to obtain an HIV test certificate. You may be asked to display it to a medical officer at a Russian border checkpoint.
NB: A person can enter Russia on a student or work visa only five days after the HIV test has been issued.
Will I need medical insurance?
It is advisable to have medical insurance coverage valid in Russia. Check your medical plan and request such coverage, if you do not have it.
REGISTRATION
Where can I register my visa?
Your Russian visa registration may be done at the reception desk of the hotel or hostel while you stay there either by the host company or person if you are renting an apartment (staying in private accommodation with friends or a family). The average rate of the visa registration in St.Petersburg is 25 Euro.
I intend to stay in Russia for 2 days. Should I register my visa?
If you are going to stay in Russia for less than 3 days, there is no need to register your visa. It’s advisable though to keep copies of tickets, hotel bills, or itineraries in order to prove compliance with the law.
How long will it take me to register my Russian visa?
If you stay in a hotel or a hostel, your visa is registered immmediately upon arrival to the hotel. If you are renting an apartment, the procedure might take a day or so.
I have not registered my visa within 3 working days upon arrival to Russia. What should I do?
If your visa was not registered within 3 business days you have to enlist your host party (a hotel, tour company, relative, employer, university) to make the registration otherwise you could experience problems when trying to re-enter Russia. You and your host are also obliged to pay a fine of 2000-5000 Rubles for privates and 400 000 Rubles for companies for non-compliance with the Russian migration law.
Does a child need registration?
Children under 18 years need registration in both cases:
1) a child under 18 crosses the border with his own passport
2) a child doesn’t have its own passport and crosses the border with his parent.
NB: In any case you have to fill in a migration card for each traveller crossing the border, including children under 18.
CROSSING THE BORDER
Whom should I contact if I’m not allowed to leave Russia at passport control?
Contact your host. Under Russian law, every foreign traveler must have a Russian-based sponsor, whether a hotel, tour company, relative, employer or university, etc. Even if your visa was obtained through your local travel agent, you’d find your Russian legal sponsor name indicated on the visa. Russian law requires that the sponsor must apply on the traveler’s behalf for replacement, extension, or changes to a Russian visa.
