How To Get Russian Visa

Tourist visa is valid only for 30 days. If you come to Russia for business purposes your should apply for a Business visa. The latter can be valid up to 12 months and is the most popular type of Russian visa for businesspeople.

There are different categories of Business visas: single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry. Period of stay in Russia: from one day to one year.

Single-entry or double-entry Russian visas can be valid for 1 or 3 months. Multiple-entry visas can be valid for 6 or 12 months. Limited extension of a Business visa is possible with the help of the Russian company that invited you to Russia and is mentioned in your Russian visa.

Important!
According to the New Regulation (Decree signed by Prime Minister), foreign citizen with a multiple-entry visa can stay in Russia only 90 days within each 180.

Foreigners can receive Russian visas only in their own country (citizens of EU – in any country of the EU). To receive the visa in the third country one will have to present residence or work permit in this country.

You need Visa Invitation to apply for visa. Visa Invitation is a business Invitation letter issued by the local department of Federal Migration Service (FMS) in Russia by the request of Russian companies accredited by the Administration of Federal Migration Service (AFMS) of Russia in Moscow.

Note: A Business Invitation can also be issued by the request of an international organization accredited with the Consular Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Terms and price for the Visa Invitation depend on the terms of the inviting organization.

Terms and price for issuing a visa at the Russian Consulate depends on the Consulate and sometimes on your citizenship. Usually, the Consular fee is higher for Multiple-entry visas and for longer periods of stay in Russia. You may also pay more for express processing at the Consulate.