Most foreign
tourists need to obtain a Russian travel visa before visiting
Russia. Depending on the puprose and length of visit one can
apply for different types of visa. This section of our website
covers the following types:
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Visitor's Visa
Student Visa
Transit Visa
Cruise Passengers
Tourist Visa
A Russia tourist visa is issued for those travelers who visit
Russia for tourism purposes. This type of visa is the most
popular one, as it's the least expensive and the easiest to get.
A Tourist visas are valid for up to 1 month and allow either a
single or double entry and exit. Tourist visa cannot be
extended.
To obtain a Russian tourist visa visitors should confirm
accommodation and invitation from a travel agency or another
organization authorized by the Russian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.
Business Visa
Businesspeople can apply for a Russia business visa that can
be valid for a period up to 1 year. A Business visa can be
single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry. Single-entry and
double-entry visas are valid for 1 or 3 months. Multiple-entry
visas are valid for 3, 6 or 12 months.
To obtain a Russian business visa a business invitation
issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, by its regional
representatives or special local offices of the Ministry of
Internal Affairs is required.
Business visas can be also used for non-business purposes.
This kind of visa is recommended in case you are going to visit
Russia more than once within a certain period of time.
Please note that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will
not process applications for business visas earlier than 45 days
before the first stated date of entry.
Visitor's Visa
Russia visitor's visa (it is also called a homestay or a
private visa) is issued for visitors who have relatives or
friends in Russia. This type of visa can be valid for a period
from one day to three months. Visitor's visa can be only used
for one entry.
To obtain a visitor's visa to Russia it's necessary to
receive a private visa invitation from your Russian friends or
relatives, issued by the local department of Passport and Visa
Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The invitation
should be mailed to you in original.
Please note that an invitation letter from your friends or
relatives cannot be considered as an official invitation valid
for obtaining a visa to Russia.
Student Visa
A Student visa is required to study in the Russian
Federation. A Student visas are valid for the whole period of
your study program. This type of visa is single-entry.
To obtain a Russian student visa, a letter of invitation from
a university or school in Russia is required.
Transit Visa
Transit Visa is required for travelers who visit other
countries via Russia. Transit visas are valid for not more than
72 hours and can be single-entry or double-entry.
To obtain this type of visa, visitors don't need any
invitations or visa support. The Consulate will issue a transit
visa provided that you present a copy of your travel documents,
including a copy of your visa to the country of destination.
Transit visas are not required for lay-overs, which last less
than 24 hours without leaving the international area at the
airport.
Visas for Cruise Passengers
Cruise ship passengers can currently visit Russia on
visa-waiver scheme provided that the stop in the port of call
doesn't exceed 72 hours and tourists stay overnight on board of
the cruise ship. This rule doesn't apply to passengers of
Finnish and some other cruise companies. This rule doesn't apply
either if there is only one port of call during a voyage.
Cruise passengers may disembark from the ship without a
tourist visa if they participate in tours organized by cruise
companies. Passengers, who are not participating in tours and
wishing to disembark will need to obtain a Russia tourist visa.
Passengers won't be permitted ashore if they don't present a
valid passpost, a Russian visa and a voucher issued by a Russian
travel company or another athorized organization.
Cruise passengers cannot obtain a visa in Russia. Visas are
issued in the country of residence before departure.
We recommend that you check information on organized cruise
tours and visas with your cruise company in advance.
