Tourist Visa In Russia

If you are planning to visit Russia, you may be wondering if tourist visa is required for Russia. The answer is yes. This article helps you explore tourist visa in Russia and gives you an overview of the tourist visa process in this beautiful country.

The steps described below can be followed by those who are planning to go to Russia as well as Russians and people who already live there. The main thing here is that you should avoid a tourist visa, because it is the only reason why you completely lose your right to conduct business in Russia. No matter if you have some documents confirming that you are a businessman or just a tourist, when entering Russia for the first time with a tourist visa, you will not be able to conduct any business in Russia.

The Russian Federation has a number of visa options for tourists wishing to visit. The most common way for tourists to receive a Russian visa is through the use of an invitation letter from a tourist company or travel agency.

An invitation letter can be obtained from any tourist company or travel agency in your home country. This letter should include all necessary information about the length of stay and what activities you wish to participate in while in Russia.

This option is best for those who plan on visiting Russia for an extended period of time (more than three months) and want to do more than just sight-see. If you plan on staying for less than three months, then this option may not be best for you as it will take some time before your visa application is processed.

The second option is to apply directly through the Russian embassy or consulate that serves your area of residence. You will need to make an appointment with the embassy or consulate at least three weeks before your planned departure date from Russia. If you do not have an invitation from a tourist company or travel agency, then this option may work well for you if you plan on staying for less than three months and want to do more than just sight-see during your trip.

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. This is a visa issued to a foreign citizen holding a diplomatic passport. I.e. heads of state, heads of government, members of an official delegation etc.
• Russia Service visa. This is a visa issued to a foreign citizen 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. This visa is issued to persons traveling to Russia for a short visit on the basis of an invitation letter.
  • Russian Business Visa. This visa is issued to people traveling to Russia for business.
  • Russian Tourist Visa. This visa is issued to travelers if holding an invitation letter by a Russian tour operator.
  • Russian Student visa. This visa is issued to those traveling to Russia for study purposes.
  • Work Visa. This visa is granted to foreigners wishing to travel to Russia for employment for a specific period.
  • Russian Humanitarian Visa. This visa is granted to foreign citizens visiting Russia for a scientific, cultural, political or a sports visit. Also for religious communication and contacts, pilgrimage, charity or delivery of humanitarian aid.
• Russian Transit Visa. This visa is issued to those that need 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 8 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:

1. Get the Invitation (Visa Support). This is the first step you should make to get a visa to Russia. If you are planning to travel to Russia for tourism purposes, you can get your invitation from a travel agency or a hotel. If you are traveling for other purposes, your inviter should get the invitation from the General Directorate for Migration for the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
2. Complete the online application form. The application form for a visa for Russia is available at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID) website visa.kdmid.ru. Give in all of the required information, with correct and honest information.
3. Collect the required documents. Proceed with collecting the required documents for a Russian visa. Note that the required documents differ from one country to the other. The documents also depend on the visa type you are applying for. You should obtain a list of the required documents from the Russian embassy/consulate or the visa center representing Russia in your country of residence.
4. Apply in Person at a Russian Consulate / Russian Visa Processing Center. You will need to show up with all these documents at the Russian consulate or Russian the visa center. There is no need for a prior appointment since walk-in applications are accepted. You will also have to pay the fees for a visa application when you submit your documents.
5. Get the immigration card. After you get your visa for Russia, you can freely travel to the country. However, there are still some tasks you need to complete. As soon as you enter Russia, during the passport control, you will have to fill out the immigration card. The card consists of two identical parts, both of which you need to fill in. The border police will 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 the country.
6. Register your visa. Upon arrival in Russia, you have 7 working days to register your visa. There are two ways to register a visa. First, at the hotel where you are staying. Second, through the property owner of the apartment you have rented for your stay, or where your friends reside (who have invited your over). You will need your immigration card and passport to register your visa.

For a detailed description of each of the steps for a Russian visa application, visit the article.

Russian Visa Requirements

When you apply for a visa for Russia, you will have to submit several documents as a part of your application. Based on these documents the Russian Embassy in your country of residence will take a decision on your case. You should pay special attention to these documents and submit all of them as required.

Note that the list of the required documents for a Russian visa differs based on your nationality and the visa type you are applying for.

The standard required documents for a visa to Russia are as follows:

• Visa Application Form. Fill in the form electronically on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID) website kdmid.ru, giving in all of the required information. Make sure your answers are correct and then print the form.
• Valid Passport. Your passport must have a minimum of six months of validity after the expiration of the visa you are applying for. In addition, it must have at least two blank pages, which do not have to be consecutive.
• A recent Russian visa photograph. Glue this photo to the indicated space in the printed application form.
• Proof of residence. If you are not applying from your home country, but rather from a country where you are residing, you should submit proof of residence in that particular country for the last 90 days.
• Visa support. This is an invitation to travel to Russia. It may be an invitation issued by a hotel, friends, a business etc., depending on the purpose of your trip.

Depending on your country of residence and the visa type you are applying for, you may also be required to submit the following documents for a Russia Visa.

• Bank Statements. If you are self-employed, a company director, working from home, or unemployed, you will need to submit bank statements for the last three months. These bank statements must prove that you have a minimum of €115 for each day you plan to stay in Russia.
• Health Insurance. Submit a confirmation that you have purchased health insurance in Russia. It should show the validity for the duration of the journey as well as indicate the geographical area coverage.
• Letters of Employer. You should submit a letter written and signed by your employer. It should give full details on you, your destinations, dates, and purpose of the visit. It should as well state the name of the inviting organization and contact details of the responsible person in Russia. The letter must also explain who will take financial responsibility for the trip.
• Vehicle Registration Certificate. If you are traveling to Russia for auto tourism, you should submit a Registration Certificate of the vehicle. A cover letter with the details on the journey, itinerary and the other travelers accompanying you, will also be required in this case.
• Copy of the tickets to and from Russia.
• HIV Test (AIDS) Certificate. This test is required only for a Russian student visa and  Russian works visa, and it must be taken within the last three months before application.

Russia Visa Fees

The costs of a visa application for Russia depend on several factors, which are:

• Applicant’s nationality
• Type of visa
• Number of intended entries
• The length of the intended period of stay
• Processing time

Russia Visa Application Processing

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.

Concluison

After reviewing all the information listed above, you might have found the right answer to your question. However, if you still have any questions regarding Russian tourist visa, or any other matter concerning traveling to Russia or working in Russia, we strongly advise that you contact the nearest Russian Consulate or Embassy and ask for clarification. That’s what they are there for.