FAQ

GENERAL VISA ISSUES

What is a Russian visa?

A Russian visa is an official document, allowing a tourist to stay in Russia for a specific period of time, which lists your personal data, entry/exit dates, passport details etc.

Does every foreigner need a visa to enter Russia?

Most foreign nationals are obliged to have visas to travel to Russia, except the citizens of former CIS Republics.

I am a U.S. citizen, and I know that I can enter into many countries without a visa. Does this apply to Russia? 

No. In order to travel to Russia, U.S. citizens must obtain visas unless you are a cruise ship passanger or a child under 16.

Where can I get more information on visa issues?

You are welcome to contact our managers or your local Russian Consulate.

I am a Russian citizen and a U.S. permanent resident (I have a "green card"). Do I need a visa to travel to Russia?

No, you don’t, if you have a Russian passport valid for at least three months following your intended date of departure from Russia..

I am in St Petersburg at the moment and I’d like to prolong my stay for at least a week. Can I extend my visa? 

As a rule, Russian visas cannot be extended. It can be prolonged in case of:
• Missing your flight
• Accident
• Serious illness
• Seat unavailability in case of an open-date ticket
In all these cases you can extend your visa for 2 weeks.

Can I get a Russian visa in Russia, without leaving the country? 

No, Russian visas are issued by Russian Consulates worldwide, outside Russia.

I am a UK citizen can I get a Russian visa in a Russian consulate outside UK, for example in Paris? 

Yes, if you have a residence permit in that country. If not, a UK citizen can only apply for a Russian visa in UK. 

Can citizens of European countries, USA, Canada, Japan apply for Russian visas in Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakstan or other CIS countries? 

Yes, but in this case they will need visas to those countries.

I am in Russia and my Russian visa is about to expire. I have a new Russian visa with me.  Can I stay in Russia on my new visa without leaving the country?

No. The visa becomes valid only after you show it at the border when entering Russia. Passport control puts an entry stamp on it. Without this stamp the visa is invalid.

Does a child need a visa to enter Russia?

If the child is under 16 years old and is travelling on his parent’s passport, he/she doesn’t need a separate visa..

My visa has expired.  What should I do?

You will not be able to leave Russia. You have to extend your visa or get an exit visa. Your Visa Sponsor should present to PVS: your properly registered visa, your passport, one photo (in the case of an exit visa) and a travel ticket with a fixed departure date, a letter of request, pay a state fee, and pay a fine to the police for infringement of the visa regime.  In some cases, it may be possible to extend your visa in the Consular office at Sheremet’evo, Domodedovo, or Pulkovo Airports. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also issue a Return-Home Certificate based on a diplomatic note from the Embassy or Consulate of your native country. With this Certificate you don’t need an exit visa and can leave Russia within 10 days.

My passport and visa were lost or stolen. What should I do?

You can get a new passport only at the Embassy or Consulate of your native country. Usually it is impossible to replace a visa, so you will need an exit visa instead. The Visa Sponsor should present to PVS your passport, one photo, travel ticket with the fixed departure date, letter of request and pay a state fee. In addition, it is necessary to obtain from the local police station a report stating that your passport and visa were lost.

VISA TYPES

How many Russian Visa types are there?

Given the number of entries, there are single, double and multi-entry visas. Given the purpose of your stay, there are tourist, business, student, transit, private and other visa types.

A tourist visa is a single/double entry visa which is valid up to 30 days, while a business visa can be multi-entry and valid up to 12 months. The documents you have to submit to the Consulate, when applying for a tourist visa, differ from those for a business visa.  The time of processing and consular fees vary also. 

Can I travel on a private trip with a tourist visa?

Why not? The process of obtaining a private visa is hellish and interminable, so we advise to apply for a tourist visa instead of a private one. 

If I am flying to another country through Moscow, do I need a transit visa?

Yes, you do. You should apply for a transit visa (valid for up to 72 hours) to the Russian Consulate showing them your air tickets to and from Moscow. They will issue your transit visa on the grounds of your tickets. 

How long is a tourist visa valid?

A tourist visa is valid for 30 days.

Can I extend my one-year multiple entry Russian visa?

Multiple-entry visas are not extended.

INVITATIONS

What is an invitation and why do I need one in order to apply for a visa? 

Whatever type of Russian visa you need (with the exception of a transit visa), it requires a specific visa support document - that is an invitation which is often called a confirmation and/or a voucher and is issued by the party that invites you to Russia.

Can I process an invitation for a private visa through a travel agency?

Regretfully, no. Travel agencies can provide you only with a tourist or business invitation. 

I want to get a a tourist invitation, but the travel dates are inexact so far. Can I give a travel agency rough dates within the same month? 

Yes, you may mention rough travel dates within a month. But please, note, some Consulates prefer to have identical information on your invitation, application form and tickets, so this discrepancy might lead to visa refusal.

I have booked a hotel room in St Petersburg, Russia, and received a booking confirmation. Is it enough to apply for a Russian tourist visa? 

No, you need to have a tourist voucher (an invitation). Ask the hotel managers if they could assist you with this document (most hotels provide this service), or find a Russian travel agency that will be responsible for you during your stay in Russia and order an Invitation there.

Can I apply for a short-term and a long-term invitation simultaneously?

Yes, you can. As a rule, this situation occurs when a long-term invitation is needed, but there’s no time to wait for it. The first entry to Russia will be made with a short-term visa and as soon as a multy entry visa is ready, the foreigner can reenter on the new visa. 

Do I need an original invitation or is a fax/email copy enough?

Some Russian consulates accept only original invitations, while others take originals as well as fax copies. Email copies are usually rejected.

Who issues business invitations?

Business invitations are issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon requests of accredited companies.

Who issues tourist invitations?

Tourist invitations are issued by a Russian travel agency, accredited in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

For which mimimum period of time can I make a quickly processed invitation? 

A single or a double entry invitation for 3 months can be processed in 1 business day.

CONSULATE

How do I locate the nearest Russian consulate?

You are welcome to have a look at our list of Russian Consulates worldwide.

How long does it take to get a visa?

You are encouraged to apply for the visas as soon as you’re prepared to do so.

What documents should I bring to the Russian Consulate in order to apply for my visa? 

Depending on the type of visa, you need to prepare a certain package of documents >>>, but anyway you should obviously bring your passport and passport size photos. 

Is it possible to send the package of documents by regular mail as I live far from the Russian Consulate? 

If you have no opportunity to go to the Russian Consulate/Embassy yourself, you can generally send there your visa documents by mail. You will get your visa by mail from the consulate when it is ready.

I am a foreign national currently staying in the United States. Can I apply for a visa in the USA or do I have to do it in my home country? 

Citizens of Germany, Latin America and Asian countries should get their visas in the Russian Consulates on the territory of their native countries. However, if you reside in the US and have a residence permit, work permit, Green Card, etc. you may apply at the Russian Consulate there as well. 

For what reasons can they refuse to issue me a visa?

A visa may be denied for various reasons, for example if the applicant has committed fraud or misrepresentation in the requirements or if the applicant is considered to be a security risk.

What happens if my visa application is rejected? Do I get a refund?

Whatever is the reason for visa refusal, official consular fees are not refundable

DOCUMENTS

Will I need an HIV test to enter Russia?

When planning to stay in Russia for over 90 days make sure to obtain an HIV test certificate. You may be asked to display it to a medical officer at a Russian border checkpoint. Such a certificate is not necessary when travelling for a lesser period of time.

Will I need medical insurance?

It is advisable to have medical insurance coverage valid in Russia. Check your medical plan and request such coverage, if you do not have it. On the basis of reciprocity, citizens of Estonia, Israel, Finland, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain are required to have mandatory medical insurance. 

I am on a multiple visa and I am leaving Russia for a visit to my country. Should I make any copies of documents, etc? 

If you are travelling on a double or multiple entry visas, prepare a copy of your visa before departure from Russia – a copy of your visa will be asked of you by the passport control officer. Please make sure to have enough copies of Arrival/Departure card as well.

REGISTRATION

Where can I register my visa?

If you stay in a hotel or a hostel, your visa registration is to be done at the reception desk when your check in. If you are renting an apartment through an agency, it should be set up to register you as well. If you are staying in private accommodation with friends or a family, you have to register yourself in the OVIR.

Do I need to register if I am a cruise ship passenger?

No, you don’t.. 

I intend to stay in Russia for no longer than 3 days. Should I register? 

If you are going to stay in Russia less than 3 days, there is no need to register your visa.  

How long will it take me to register my tourist visa? 

If you stay in a hotel or a hostel, your visa is registered immmediately upon arrival to the hotel. If you are renting an apartment through an agency, the procedure might take a day or so.  

I am staying in a hotel and have hotel registration. Do I need OVIR registration also? 

No, you don’t. Hotel registration is perfectly enough. 

Does a child need registration?

Children under 18 years old don’t need registration. 

I can’t register my visa within 3 working days upon arrival to Russia. What should I do?  

If for some reasons you can not get your visa registered, try to avoid meeting militia people on the streets, because you may be obliged to pay a penalty of up to 1500 RUR (~ $50) for breaking the visa regulations and waste a lot of time and effort solving the problem. 

CROSSING THE BORDER

Why may I not be allowed to leave Russia at passport control?

You will be informed of the reason. It is possible that your visa has expired; the arrival stamp in your passport (visa, Migration Card or Arrival/Departure Card) is not correct; or something else is wrong with your passport, visa, Migration Card or Arrival/Departure Card.

Whom should I contact to solve this situation?

Contact your Visa Sponsor for help. If you are departing Russia from Sheremet’evo, Domodedovo or Pulkovo Airports, it is possible to appeal for help from the Consular office there.

VISA SPONSOR

What if I can’t contact my Visa Sponsor?

Probably your Visa Sponsor was a fictitious company. Try to find a reliable company that can help you.

I am in St Petersburg and my visa Sponsor is located in another city.  What should I do? 

As a rule, if the Visa Sponsor is unable to register your visa in the city, where you are staying, you should: try to register your visa in a hotel or find a local, reliable company able to help you.  In the meantime, avoid being stopped by the police.  

What if my Visa Sponsor company refuses to help? 

Probably your Visa Sponsor has too many of its own problems. It is practically impossible to force a Visa Sponsor company to help you. Try to find a reliable company that can help you and ask your present Visa Sponsor to provide you with a request to transfer all obligations to the new company that is willing to work out your visa problems.