Travel Visas

General information about a travel visas to Russia

In order to travel to Russia, the requirement is a visa. A visa permits you to enter and stay in Russia for a specific period of time.

Russian visas are no more difficult to obtain than any other type of visa, although there are factors to consider such as the country of origin, whether you have the required documention, criminal record and the time you have allowed in submitting the visa application.

Different types of travel visas

There are two types of travel visas that will allow you entry into Russia:

• Tourist Visa
• Business Visa

You need to obtain a visa before travelling to Russia. If you are travelling for less than 30 days then a tourist visa is the best option. If you would like to remain longer than 30 days in Russia then a business visa is the better option. If you are from the United States then you can obtain a tourist or business visa valid for 3 years, but your first visit should be within 30 days of the three years and is a multiple entry visa.

Different options to obtain a travel visa

There are two options to apply for a visa to enter and stay in Russia for a certain period:

• Submit the visa application yourself.
• Use a company that apply for a visa on your behalf.

Submit the travel visa application yourself

Tourist Visa

When submitting a tourist visa application for a travel visa yourself, one will need or to do the following:

• The starting point is to plan your trip, list all the place that you would like to visit. You will need that for all your bookings but also currently if you are applying for a tourist visa from a certain country you may need to present an itinerary that details every day of your stay in Russia. That will only become clear when you apply for your tourist visa if the itinerary is needed. Some countries are excluded from submitting an itinerary or an invitation or both when apply for a tourist visa. If you are from a country that can apply for a “e-visa” then you do not need itinerary or an invitation and can apply for a visa online. Please check the list for “e-visa” countries here because it can change. If you are from a country where an itinerary is required with your tourist visa, the itinerary information will not be recorded in your issued visa, therefore once in Russia you can change your plans, travel and stay wherever you want in Russia in the time period that your visa is valid.
• Once you planned your trip, the next step is to obtain an invitation if your country is not on the list of “e-visa” countries. Invitation to Russia is also called a visa support letter. A tourist visa allows you to be in Russia for 1 to 30 days and you state the duration in your application. The exception are citizens from United States, they can apply for a visa up to 36 months but must enter Russia for the first enty within the first 30 day after the visa was granted. In your application you need to select if it is a single or double entry or mulipale entry visa into Russia. All the mentioned information is needed when you apply for your invitation. The easiest way to obtain invitation is to apply for the invitation online. It is not worth the time and effort to try and do it yourself. Please click here for a recommended company website.
• The next step is obtain a visa application from. A visa application form is available online from Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation website. Please click here and it can be filled out online or can be downloaded or can be obtained from a travel agency;
• Your original passport need to be valid for more than 6 months with at least 2 blank pages for your visa and entry/exit stamps for the period of your stay in Russia as a tourist;
• You need two passport-size photos;
• Visa fee, normal process time for visa application is ten days. If you would like visa application to be processed faster it will cost more and lesser time to be processed the more you will pay;
• Travel insurance is optional but recommended.

Business Visa

When submitting a business visa application for a travel visa yourself, one will need or to do the following:

• No itinerary is required but the starting point is to plan your trip, make your wish list of places that you woud like to visit. A business visa can be issued from 1 day to 12 months. You also need to know if you will require a single or double entry or a multiple entry visa.
• Citizens from United States can apply for a business visa for up to 36 months but must enter Russia for the first enty within the first 30 day after the visa was granted. You also need to know if you will require a single or double entry or a multiple entry visa.
• An invitation is required if your country is not on the “e-visa” list. Please check the list for “e-visa” countries here because it can change. Invitation to Russia is also called a visa support letter. The easiest way to obtain an invitation is to apply online. It is not worth the time and effort to try and do it yourself. Please click here for a recommended company website.
• The next step is obtain a visa application from. A visa application form is available online from Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation website. Please click here and it can be filled out online or can be downloaded or can be obtained from a travel agency;
• Your original passport, valid for more than 6 months with at least 2 blank pages for your visa and entry/exit stamps for the period of your stay in Russia as a tourist;
• You need two passport-size photos;
• Visa fee, normal process time for visa application is ten days. If you would like visa application to be processed faster it will cost more and lesser time to be processed the more you will pay;
• Travel insurance is optional but recommended.

Use a company that apply for a travel visa on your behalf

A company will apply for your invitation as well as for your tourist visa or business visa of your choice on your behalf and you will need the following:.

• The starting point is to plan your trip, list all the place that you would like to visit. You will need that for the organization that will obtain your invitation to Russia as well as applying for your visa into Russia on your behalf. Invitation to Russia is also called a visa support letter. Some countries are exculded from submitting an itinerary or an invitation or both when apply for a tourist or business visa. If you are from a country that can apply for a “e-visa” then you do not need itinerary or an invitation or use an organization to apply for your visa, you can apply online for your visa. Please check the list for “e-visa” countries here because it can change. If you are from a country where an itinerary is required with your tourist or business visa, the itinerary information will not be recorded in your issued visa, therefore once in Russia you can change your plans, travel and stay wherever you want in Russia, for the time period that your visa is valid.
• Your original passport, valid for more than 6 months with at least 2 blank pages for your visa and entry/exit stamps for the period of your stay in Russia a tourist;
• You need two passport-size photos;
• Visa fee, normal process time for visa application is ten days. If you would like visa application to be processed faster it will cost more and lesser time to be processed the more you will pay, that will be include the organization’s fee;
• Travel insurance is optional but recommended.

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