A Russian visa is a permission in the form of a sticker affixed in a travelers passport. It allows its holder to enter, stay, and leave Russia within a specified period of time. It contains the following information:
- the entry and exit dates
- vital information,
- passport details
- information about the person or party that sends you (the visa holder) the invitation.
Do I Need a Visa to go to Russia?
Russian authorities have categorized countries based on these rules, in several groups.
Group I: Unlimited Visa-Free Stay in Russia
Nationals of Belarus and South Ossetia can enter Russia and remain there for an unlimited time.
Group II: Up to 90-Days Visa-Free Stay
Nationals of the following countries can enter Russia and remain for up to 90 days, without the need of obtaining a visa prior to their trip:
- Abkhazia
- Argentina*
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bolivia*
- Brazil*
- Chile*
- Colombia*
- Cuba*
- Dominica*
- Ecuador*
- El Salvador*
- Estonia (holders of an alien passport)
- Fiji*
- Grenada*
- Guatemala*
- Guyana*
- Honduras*
- Israel*
- Jamaica*
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia (holders of a non-citizen passport)
- Moldova
- Nicaragua*
- Panama*
- Paraguay*
- Peru*
- Saint Kitts and Nevis*
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines*
- South Africa*
- Tajikistan
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- Uruguay*
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu*
- Venezuela*
*Nationals of these countries can enter Russia without a visa only for non-commercial purposes.
Group III: Up to 60-Days Visa-Free Stay for Non-Commercial Purposes
Nationals of the following countries can enter Russia for non-commercial purposes without a visa, and remain here for up to 60 days:
- Mauritius
- Samoa
- South Korea
Group IV: Up to 30-Days Visa-Free Stay for Non-Commercial Purposes
Nationals of the following countries can enter Russia for non-commercial purposes without a visa, and remain here for up to 30 days:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Laos
- Macao (Persons holding a Macau Special Administrative Region passport)
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia*
- Palau
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Thailand
*A letter of guarantee/invitation and a tourist voucher are compulsory for citizens of North Macedonia in order to be permitted to enter Russia.
Group V: Up to 14-Days Visa-Free Stay for Non-Commercial Purposes
Nationals of the following countries can enter Russia for non-commercial purposes without a visa, and remain here for up to 14 days:
- Brunei
- Hong Kong (Persons holding a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport)
- Nauru
Group VI: Travelers in Possession of a Belarus Visa
Due to the Belarus-Russia visa recognition agreement, which is expected to come into force after May 2019, travelers in possession of a Belarus visa will be able to enter Russia without another visa.
Group VII: UP to 15 Days Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Citizens Part of a Tour Group
Chinese nationals can enter Russia without a visa and stay here for up to 15 days. The sole condition is that they must be traveling as part of a tour group (from 5 to 50 persons) that is accompanied by a representative of a tour operator registered in both countries.
72h Visa-Free Entry for Cruise Ship and Ferry Passengers
Russia has made possible visa-free visits for up to 72 hours for cruise ship and ferry passengers, via several ports. The travelers must spend the night on-board or in accommodation specifically approved by the travel agency, in order to be eligible for this type of visa-free entry.
Visa-free visits for up to 72 hours for cruise ship and ferry passengers is possible only for those entering Russia through the ports of:
- Anadyr
- Kaliningrad
- Korsakov
- Novorossiysk
- Murmansk
- Sevastopol
- Sochi
- Saint Petersburg (Big port Saint Petersburg and Passenger Port of St. Petersburg)
- Vladivostok
- Vyborg
- Zarubino
72h Visa-Free Entry for Cruise Ship and Ferry Passengers
Russia Visa-Free Transit
You will need a visa when transiting through Russian airports that do not have an international transit area. These airports are as follows:
- Irkutsk Airport (IKT)
- Kaliningad Airport (KGD)
- Khabarovsk Airport (KHV)
- Krasnodar Airport (KRR)
- Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV)
- Rostov Airport (ROV)
- Sochi Airport (AER)
- Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport (UUS)
- Zhukovsky Airport (ZIA)
A Transit Visa is not required for those passing through the Russian part of the Saimaa canal without leaving the vessel. The traveler will still go through passport controls at the border of the canal.
Russian Visa Types
Depending on one’s purpose for traveling to Russia, there are several Russian visa types. Each of them has its own requirements, application process and specifications.
The Russian visa types are as follows:
- Russia Diplomatic visa. Foreign citizens holding a diplomatic passport. I.e. heads of state, heads of government, members of an official delegation etc.
- Russia Service visa. Foreign citizens having service (consular, official, special) passport. I.e. members of official delegations, administrative and technical and service personnel of diplomatic missions, etc.
- Russia Ordinary visas.
- Russian Private Visa. For a short visit on the basis of an invitation letter.
- Russian Business Visa. For business visitors.
- Russian Tourist Visa. For travelers who hold an invitation letter by a Russian tour operator.
- Russian Student visa. For study purposes.
- Work Visa. For temporary employment.
- Russian Humanitarian Visa. For a scientific, cultural, political or a sports visit, religious communication and contacts, pilgrimage, charity or delivery of humanitarian aid.
- Russian Transit Visa. To transit through the territory of Russia in order to reach their destination country.
- Russia Exit Visa. Foreigners in the territory of Russia, whose visa expires before they leave, shall apply for an Exit Visa in order to be able to leave.
- Russia eVisa. This visa is available for nationals of Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, China, India, Iran, Japan, North Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. It is only valid to visit the regions in the Russian Far East for less than 16 days.
On the other hand, depending on the number of times one wants to enter Russia with one single visa, there are the following visa types:
- Single entry
- Double entry
- Multiple-entry
How to Apply Visa for Russia?
The application process for a Russian Visa is as follows:
Step 1: Get the Invitation to Russia (Russian Visa Support)
Start your Russia visa application by getting the invitation to travel to Russia. The invitation is the basement of your Russian visa application. It is also known as the visa support document. The type of invitation and its issuer differ according to the purpose of your trip to Russia.
Types of visa invitations
Following find a list of all Russia visa invitation types, with explanations on each:
- Visa support for tourism. This could be any of the following:
- Letter from the tour company or cruise line. If you are traveling to Russia for tourism with a tour company or cruise line, you should obtain this letter from them. The letter must confirm the itinerary and include a copy of the confirmation from an authorized Russian travel company. It must show the reference number and confirmation number for the visa.
- Confirmation of hotel arrangements. Contact your travel company or the Russian hotel where you will be staying. They will issue you a confirmation of hotel arrangements that serves as visa support. The document must show the reference number and confirmation number for the visa.
- Visa Support for a private visit. This could be any of the following:
- An invitation from the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation. Your Russian host should get this kind of invitation at the ministry in Russia.
- An inviting letter of a Russian citizen to enter Russia with their non-Russian family members. If you are traveling to Russia with a Russian family member, then the relative of yours should take care of the letter of invitation. He or she should direct the letter to the Ambassador of Russia in your home country.
- Visa Support for students. This could be any of the following:
- An invitation from the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation. Your Russian university should take care to obtain this invitation from the Ministry.
- A telex invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Your Russian university should request this letter at the Ministry. The ministry will then pass the invitation to the Russian embassy in your home country.
- A copy of a direct inviting letter of your Russian university. This kind of invitation is valid for short-term study only, without prolongation. The Rector of the university or the Head of the International Department should stamp and sign the letter.
- Visa Support for humanitarian visits. This could be any of the following:
- An invitation from the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation. Your Russian host is in charge of obtaining this letter from the Ministry. He or she should then pass to you the original or scanned version of the letter.
- An invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Your Russian host should request this type of invitation at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry will then pass the invitation to the embassy in your country.
- Visa Support for business visits. This could be any of the following:
- An invitation from the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation. You should ask your Russian business partner for this kind of invitation.
- An invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Your Russian business partner should request this type of invitation at the Ministry. The ministry will then pass the invitation to the embassy in your country.
- An inviting letter from an organization based in Russia. The organization in Russia will issue this letter to you. The requirement is valid only for countries that signed visa facilitation agreements with Russia.
- Visa invitation for employment. The Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation is responsible for issuing this visa to your Russian employer. The employer should then send the invitation to you in an original format, in either paper or electronic form.
- The invitation issued by a company in Russia for EU nationals. EU travelers applying for a Russia business visa should obtain this letter. The letter must contain the Individual Tax Number according to the Russia-EU Agreement on 25.05.2006.
Step 2: Complete the Russian Visa online application form
The application form is available at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID) website visa.kdmid.ru. The application form contains several questions on you and your trip.
Steps to complete an online application form
Follow the tips given below to complete the Russian visa online application form:
- Go to visa.kdmid.ru
- Select the name of the country from the drop menu titled “Country“, from where you intend to apply for a Russia visa.
- Choose your hints and help language from the drop menu titled “Hints and help language“.
- Press “Complete new application” to proceed. If you want to continue completing an application that you have started previously press: “Open previously completed application”. Press the same button for editing, viewing or printing of a previously completed application.
- Save the number of the application form, which you can see at the top right-hand corner. You will need this number to continue the application completion if your session times out. In order to save a draft of your application, use the “Save draft” option.
- Each page has clear instructions on the application. Pay attention to them.
- Fields marked with a “*” symbol are compulsory.
- Print your visa application form.
- Stick a passport size photograph with glue on the form. The photo must be no older than 6 months; date and sign the form into the application.
Step 3: Collect the Russian Visa required documents
Continue the application by collecting the required documents for a Russian visa. You will also need to submit additional documents according to the purpose of your trip. Note that according to your nationality, you may have to submit extra documents as well.
Step 4: Apply in Person at Russian Consulate/Russian Visa Processing Center
You will need to submit the required documents at the Russian consulate or the visa center representing Russia for visa admission. If you will be submitting your application at the Consular section of the Russian Embassy, you should make a prior appointment. If the embassy estimates it is necessary, you may be invited for an interview upon the submission of your application.
Step 5: Pay the Russian visa fee
You will need to pay the fee for your visa at the consular sections. Most of the embassies accept only payments by bank cards. However, some others accept cash as well. You should check for this with the Russian embassy in your home country.
Note that the fees are non-refundable.
Step 6: Collect your Russian visa
You will get a notification on your case after the Russian embassy takes a decision on your application. If they grant you a visa, there will be a visa sticker in your passport. The sticker contains information on you, your visa, the period of permitted stay and the inviter.
Step 7: Get the Russian immigration card
With the visa sticker in your passport, you can freely travel to Russia. Still, there remain some procedures you need to complete.
Upon arrival at the Russian port of entry, the border police will issue you an immigration card. The card consists of two identical parts, both of which you need to fill in. The border police keep one part of the card. You should take the other one with you. Later, you will need to return this card to the border police, when you leave.
Step 8: Register your Russian visa
If you will be staying in Russia for 7 days or more, you will need to register your visa. You have 7 working days to register your visa, upon arrival in Russia. There are two ways to register a visa:
- Through the hotel where you are staying. If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel itself will register your visa.
- Through the owner of a private house. If you are staying at a private house, then the Russian host is the one required to register you at a police station or at the post office. Your host will need a copy of the first page of the passport, the visa, and the immigration card to do so.
Note that you may have to pay a small fee for this procedure.
Russia Visa Application Processing Time
The average processing time for a Russia Visa is 10 days. However, the processing can take from 7 to 20 working days. Those in a hurry can apply for expedited processing, which takes three working days. Applicants that want to benefit from the expedited visa application processing will need to pay a higher fee.
Russia Exit Visa
Unlike most countries in which you will be deported if your visa expires, in Russia, you need to get an Exit Visa to be able to leave. A Russia exit visa is granted to foreign nationals in two cases:
- If your current visa has expired
- If you have lost your passport
For a Russian exit visa, you should contact the embassy of your home country in Russia. Obtaining an exit visa can take up to twenty days.