Visa information
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA APPLICATION
Visa is a permit for entrance to the Russian Federation or transit passage through the territory of the Russian Federation issued by a relevant authority to a valid identification document of a foreign citizen or a stateless person, recognised by the Russian Federation (the Federal Law “on the procedure of exit from the Russian Federation and entrance to the Russian Federation” No.114-FZ dated July 18, 1996).
The Consular section charges a state duty and other fees that are set by the legislation of the Russian Federation for visa issue and visa transfer to a new passport.
The decision to issue or refuse a visa, as well as documents processing, remains with the Russian consular offices.
Consideration of visa application may take from 4 (four) to 20 (twenty) working days if an applicant pays standard fees and from 1 (one) to 3 (three) working days if an applicant pays “express” tariff.
When picking up a visa the applicant should check the correctness of the visa information and if necessary return the visa for the correction of any mistakes immediately.
TYPES OF VISAS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION
STUDY VISA is issued to a foreign student who is going to study in an institution of higher education of the Russian Federation. It is single-entry valid for the period not exceeding 3 months and may be renewed in Russia.
Required documents:
1.Original passport and copy of the main page (passport should contain minimum 2 empty pages for visas, validity of the passport – 1 year from the end of the requested visa)
2.One color photo (3.5 cm x 4.5cm)
3.Filled Visa application form
4.Written invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia (telex) or Migration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
BUSINESS VISA with the following purposes of travel: «business», «driver», «crewman», «medical treatment», «adoption», «mass media/reporter», «mass media/tech» is issued to a foreign citizen who intends to visit the Russian Federation for business purposes. It may be single-, double- or multiple-entry (as prescribed in the invitation). Single- or double-entry business visas are valid for the period not exceeding 3 months. Multiple-entry business visas are valid for the period not exceeding 1 year, but permit their holders to stay in Russia for up to 90 days out of each 180.
Required documents:
1.Original passport and copy of the main page (passport should contain minimum 2 empty pages for visas, validity of the passport – 6 months from the end of the requested visa)
2.One color photo (3.5 cm x 4.5cm)
3. Filled Visa application form
4.Written invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia (telex) or Migration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
HUMANITARIAN VISA with the following purposes of travel: «sport relations», «youth relations», «cultural relations», «scientific-technical relations», «social and political», «religious activities», «pilgrimage», «charity», «humanitarian help», «attendant» is issued to a foreign citizen who intends to visit the Russian Federation for sports, youth, cultural, science and technology, social and political, religious and other purposes. It may be single or double-entry (as prescribed in the invitation) and valid for the period not exceeding 3 months.
Required documents:
1.Original passport and copy of the main page (passport should contain minimum 2 empty pages for visas, validity of the passport – 6 months from the end of the requested visa)
2.One color photo (3.5 cm x 4.5cm)
3. Filled Visa application form
4.Written invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia (telex) or Migration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
PRIVATE VISA is issued to a foreign citizen who intends to visit relatives, or friends living in the Russian Federation. It may be single or double-entry (as prescribed in the invitation) and valid for the period not exceeding 3 months.
Required documents:
1.Original passport and copy of the main page (passport should contain minimum 2 empty pages for visas, validity of the passport – 6 months from the end of the requested visa)
2.One color photo (3.5 cm x 4.5cm)
3. Filled Visa application form
4.Written invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia (telex) or Migration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
WORK VISA is issued to a foreign citizen who is going to do work in accordance with the contract they signed with an employer in the Russian Federation. It may be single-, double- or multiple-entry (as prescribed in the invitation) and valid for duration of the contract.
Required documents:
1.Original passport and copy of the main page (passport should contain minimum 2 empty pages for visas, validity of the passport – 6 months from the end of the requested visa)
2.One color photo (3.5 cm x 4.5cm)
3. Filled Visa application form
4.Written invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia (telex) or Migration department of the Ministry of internal affairs of Russia
5. AIDs certificate (original and copy), validity of the certificate – 3 months
TOURIST VISA is issued to a foreign citizen who is going to Russia with tourist purposes. It is single-entry and valid for the period not exceeding 1 month.
Required documents:
1.Original passport and copy of the main page (passport should contain minimum 2 empty pages for visas, validity of the passport – 6 months from the end of the requested visa)
2.One color photo (3.5 cm x 4.5cm)
3. Filled Visa application form
4.Foreign Tourist Tour Confirmation issued by inbound Russian travel agency whose information is contained in the unified federal register of tour operators, or confirmation of booking a place in a hotel or other accommodation facility*, information about which is contained in the unified list of qualified hotels, ski slopes, beaches (original)
Notice: The applicants will asked to attend an interview and provide if necessary additional documents confirming their tourist trip to Russia (airway tickets, itinerary, booking hotel confirmation etc.)
TRANSIT VISA is issued to a foreign citizen for transit passage through territory of
the Russian Federation. It may be single- or double-entry and valid for the period not exceeding 10 days.
Notice: Transit visa is not required in for airline transit passengers in case they plan to depart from the same international airport they arrived to and stay there for the period not exceeding twenty four (24) hours.
Required documents:
1.Original passport and copy of the main page (passport should contain minimum 2 empty pages for visas, validity of the passport – 6 months from the beginning of the requested visa)
2.One color photo (3.5 cm x 4.5cm)
3. Filled Visa application form
4. Visa for entrance to the country of destination or a document, certifying that such visa is not required
5. Airway tickets with a fixed date of entering and leaving the Russian Federation
