Visa to Russia

A Russian visa is a permit to enter the country in the form of a sticker pasted into a foreign passport. Gives the right to freely enter and stay in the Russian Federation for a specified time. The process of obtaining a Russian visa cannot be called complicated, but the procedure may take up to 20 days.

Russia has a fairly strict visa policy, which assumes that citizens of most countries of the world receive visas even for tourist purposes. An exception may be travelers arriving in the country on a cruise ship. They are allowed to stay in the country without additional permits for 72 hours. Visa-free transit is possible only through several airports.

Important

Before applying for a visa, the candidate must receive a visa invitation from a Russian organization or department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs/The Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The organization issuing the invitation is legally responsible for the arrival.

E-visa

For citizens of 55 countries of the world, Russia provides the opportunity to apply for an electronic visa to enter through border checkpoints. This type of permit is suitable for various purposes and the basis for obtaining it may be:

• Tourism.
• Business trips.
• Participation in cultural, humanitarian, and sports events.
• Scientific and technical relations.

Using a single electronic visa, you can enter the country once and stay in the territory for up to 16 days from the moment of entry. The permit is valid for 60 days from the date of submission. It is important to keep in mind that the day of arrival / departure is equivalent to being in the Russian Federation. A visa calculator is available on the portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia to calculate the available time of stay. You need to send an application no earlier than 40 and no later than 4 days before the planned trip.

Making an online application made the procedure much easier. To start the process, you must provide a number of documents:

• An application.
• An invitation letter.
• A certificate of medical examination.
• A copy of the passport.
• Receipts confirming payment of visa fees.

Additional features

You can fill out an application for an electronic visa and check its status on the official website of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The portal provides the opportunity to install the official mobile application. Working with the resource is available only to authorized users.  

How much does a visa cost?

In 2023, the cost of obtaining a visa to Russia has changed. Thus, for citizens of the EU member states, the registration price has increased from €35 to €80, and the list of necessary documents has expanded.

In 2024, the cost of obtaining a visa to the Russian Federation still depends on the applicant's current citizenship, the purpose and duration of the visit, and the time frame for reviewing the application. In a standard situation, the appeal is considered within 4-20 working days, but the Russian Foreign Ministry suggests the possibility of speeding up the procedure to 1-3 days for an additional fee. As a rule, double the standard cost is charged.

The amount of consular fees also depends on the type of permit granted – single or multiple entry rights.

Additional features

You can get acquainted with the current tariffs and additional features on the official Consular information portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.  

Types of visas (types of visas)

Based on the intended purpose of the trip to the Russian Federation, a foreigner can request one of the available types of visas. Each one may have its own specific requirements. The following types are currently available:

• Private. For foreigners traveling to the Russian Federation on a short-term visit based on an invitation letter. Single-use or multiple-use with a validity period of 3 months to 1 year.
• Electronic. It is available to citizens of a limited number of countries. The validity period is 60 days with the right to stay in Russia for up to 16 days.
• Tourist. It is provided to travelers, if there is an invitation from a Russian tour operator.
• Student's room. Gives the right to stay in the country for the purpose of long-term study at an accredited educational institution. One-time or two-time. The validity period is up to 3 months.
• Business. For conducting business and participating in business meetings.
• Working. It involves obtaining a work permit in Russian organizations.
• Humanitarian. Visiting a country for scientific, cultural, political or sporting purposes.
• Transit. Allows you to transit through the territory of Russia to get to the destination country.
• Diplomatic. Official visa for members of official delegations.

Important

Each type of visa involves a limited period of stay. Work and study permits have the longest validity period. The request for an extension must be justified properly with the provision of appropriate documents.

Student's

A Russian study visa is issued to persons arriving for the purpose of long-term study in the country. The permit is issued on the basis of an invitation issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The initial validity period is 90 days. The subsequent extension is carried out at the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a period of up to 1 year.

To receive it, you will need to provide an invitation letter for entry from the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. An approved visa of a different type may serve as another or additional confirmation. A standard set of documents must be attached to the application.

Tourist

Permission to visit the country for tourist purposes. It assumes the possibility of single or double/multiple entry into Russia. Allows a short–term stay in the Russian Federation for up to 6 months, if there is a confirmation of the admission of a foreigner by a local organization - a "visa sponsor". An important requirement for the receiving party is registration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the availability of a tourist reference number.

The visa involves participation in short-term business meetings, exhibitions, conferences, etc. This type of permit is required by citizens of most countries of the world. In the case of visiting Russia on a cruise ship or ferry and parking at the port, there is no need to apply for a visa if the period of stay in the territory does not exceed 72 hours.

Business (for business trips)

Gives the holder the right to freely enter Russia and conduct commercial/entrepreneurial activities. A foreigner can request a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. In the first case, the validity period is up to 3 months, in the second – up to 12 months.

For registration, you must receive an invitation letter from the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. A visa request can be sent at the nearest consulate/embassy or on the eVisa portal. It is important to take into account that the right of uninterrupted stay is limited. Up-to-date information should be clarified on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

A working (to work legally in the country)

Russian visa for entry and employment in the Russian Federation. It is intended for foreigners who plan to work in the country. It assumes the right of single entry and stay for up to 90 days with the possibility of extension through the departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In addition to obtaining a visa for legal employment in the Russian Federation, a foreigner must obtain a work permit. A work invitation for entry is issued by the future employer of a foreign citizen. It becomes the basis for granting a work visa and a work permit.

Required documents

When applying for a visa, each candidate must provide a package of documents in accordance with the checklist. On the basis of the provided dossier, the competent departments of the Russian Foreign Ministry make a decision. The standard package of personal documentation includes:

• Visa support. A valid invitation from a registered organization, the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. For tourists, the inviting party may be a tour operator.
• Visa application form.
• A passport valid for at least 6 months.
• Recent passport size photos 3.5x4.5 cm.
• Information about the intended place of residence.
• Confirmation of payment of consular fees for processing the application.

Attention

Each type of visa requires a specific set of documents. The dossier must be provided personally by the applicant or his legal representatives. Depending on the type of visa and the purpose of stay, government agencies may request additional information.

Recent changes in the visa policy of the Russian Federation

One of the most significant changes in Russia's visa policy in recent years has been the introduction of the unified electronic visa program from 08/01/2023. However, only citizens of 55 states included in the list approved by the Government of the Russian Federation can use the right. Since the launch, more than 100,000 foreigners have used the service during the first 3 months.

Earlier, on 09/12/2022, the decision of the European Union on the abolition of the simplified visa regime with the Russian Federation came into force. This has led to an increase in the cost of the procedure and a delay in the processing of requests.

Possible changes in the coming years may include an increase in the validity period of a single electronic visa and a reduction in the cost of obtaining certain categories of visas. The relevant bills are being considered by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.