Getting a Russian Visa

Humanitarian visa

Humanitarian visa can be issued for the foreign citizen traveling to Russia with sport, cultural, scientific-technical, public, religion, charityor humanitarian purposes.

Single-entry and double-entries Humanitarian visa can be valid for the period of no longer than 90 days.

Multiple Entry Humanitarian visa can be valid for 1-3 years.

(Please note that  Multiple Entry Humanitarian visa is NOT a Residence Permit. You can use it NOT for long term staying in the Russian Federation but for multiple re-entries only.

According to the Russian Migration Law foreign citizen with Multiple Entry Visa can stay in Russia only 90 days within each 180 days period.)

Documents required for all type of Humanitarian visa:

1. Letter of Invitation: a)Official invitation issued by the Russian Federal Migration Service, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)  or its regional offices. Or six digit reference number of your visa support information (MFA telex #) sent directly to the Consulate. This type of invitation or reference number can be obtained by you from your  Russian business partner.(The official invitation must contain: official seal and legal address of the agency, document registration number, date of registration, signature and name of an authorized official, travel itinerary, dates of stay, names of persons invited. We reserve the right to request originals of any invitation).

2. Passport (original). Passport must contain at least  two blank pages marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned. Passport must be valid no less than six months after visa expiration date.

Applicant's passport will be in the Consulate's possession within the whole period of visa processing.

3. Copy of the passport's vital pages (with personal data and photo).

4. StandardVisa Application form with one passport-size b\w or color photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form.

Each applicant has to fill out visa application form online, print it on your printer at home or in your office and submit to the Visa Centeralong with other documents required. 

No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with the period specified in your invitation. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please note that all dates in your application form must be written in European style (date, month, year). Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office, home). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or NOT FROM THIS Special OFFICIAL WEB SITE will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

Private (homestay) visa (type 1)

If you have relatives or friends in Russia (Private citizens) you may apply for this type of visa submitting a standard Private (Homestay) Invitation. It can be obtained by your Russian relatives or friends from a local office of Russian Federal Migration Service located in the Russian Federation only.

Private (homestay) visa (type 1) can be valid for single or double entries for the period up to three months only.

Documents required:

1. Standard invitation (original only)

2. Passport (original). Passport must contain at least two blank pages marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned. Passport must be valid no less than six months after visa expiration date. Applicant's passport will be in the Consulate's possession within the whole period of visa processing.

3. Copy of the passport's vital pages (with personal data and photo).

4. Standard Visa Application form  with one passport-size b\w or color photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form.

Each applicant has to fill out visa application form online, print it on your printer at home or in your office and submit along with other documents required.

No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with the period specified in your invitation. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please note that all dates in your application form must be written in European style (date, month, year). Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office, home). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or NOT FROM THIS Special OFFICIAL WEB SITE will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

5. Cover letter specifying purpose of visit, dates of arrival and departure, cities to be visited in Russia and telephone or facsimile number where you can be reached.

Private (Homestay Visa) (type 2)

For the relatives (husband, wife, minor child) of the Russian Citizen who has residency in US

If your wife or husband is a Russian Citizen with valid Russian Foreign Passport and US residency and you intend to travel to Russia together on the same flight (crossing Russian boarder simultaneously) she\he may submit special application to the ILS to issue Private (Home Stay) Visa (type 2) for you or (and) your joint minor child.

In this case Standard Invitation from the Russian Federal Migration Service or any other invitation is NOT required any more.

Visa processing time for this type of visa application is not less than seven working days (no express service).

This type of visa can be valid for single or double entries (depending on air tickets information) for the period up to three months only.

Documents required:

1. Special application to the Consul General of the Russian Federation in San Francisco from the Russian citizen requesting visa for his\her relative-foreign citizen.

2. Copy of the valid Russian Foreign Passport of the applicant-Russian citizen and copy of the document confirming her\his US residency (Green Card, US Passport);

3. Your Passport (original) and\or passport of your joint minor child. Passport must contain at least two blank pages marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned. Passports must be valid no less than six months after visa expiration date.Applicant's passport will be in the Consulate's possession within the whole period of visa processing.

4. Copy of your husband\wife and\or your joint child passport's vital pages (with personal data and photo).

5. Standard Visa Application form from the relative of the Russian citizen with one passport-size b\w or color photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form.

Each applicant has to fill out visa application form online, print it on your printer at home or in your office and submit along with other documents required.

No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with the period specified in your invitation. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please note that all dates in your application form must be written in European style (date, month, year). Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office, home). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or NOT FROM THIS Special OFFICIAL WEB SITE will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

6. Original or copy of Russian or US Court Decision with full custody over the child has to be submitted only if visa applicant-Russian Citizen is not a biological parent.

7. Copy of round trip air tickets for applicant - Russian Citizen and his family - Foreign Citizens.

8. Notarized non-objection letter from another parent – Foreign citizen that he\she permits his\her child to travel abroad with his\her parent-Russian citizen. This statement is required in all cases (parents intend to travel together with their child or one parent-Russian citizen is traveling alone with his\her child – Foreign citizen).

This statement is NOT required if your child is a Russian Citizen. In this case no visas is required for him\her (he\she must travel with valid Russian Foreign Travel Passport only).

9. Cover letter specifying purpose of visit, dates of arrival and departure, cities to be visited in Russia and telephone or facsimile number where you can be reached.

10. Original or copy of Marriage Certificate or Child's Birth Certificate.

11. For Non US Passport holders only: You may apply for Russian visa  only if you have US Green Card or long term non-immigration legal status in US valid not less than 6 months from the date of your Russian visa application. Please enclose the copy of this document or show it in your passport.

Applications from the holders of US tourist visas or short term visitors are NOT acceptable. You have to apply in the country of your residence only.

12. For the holders of US Travel Document with Stateless or Refugee status only. You may apply for Russian visa  only if you have US Green Card (in plastic version only), Health Insurance Certificate valid in Russia and confirmed round trip ticket. You are requested to enclose copy of these documents to your visa application form.

Tourist visa

ATTENTION CRUISE SEA SHIP PASSENGERS !

According to the Russian Immigration Law

if you travel on an International Cruise Sea Ship and follow below- mentioned conditions:

1. During your stay in the Russian Seaport you have accomodations on the the Shipboard in the same Sea Port;

2. You have group tourist program organized by a local tour operator or your Cruise company in the same city.

You don't need tourist visa for the period of up to 72 hours.

This special immigration regulation does not apply to individual Sea Cruise tourists without organized tourist program, river board cruise passengers and travelers coming to Russia on package tours.

For this type of travelers please see Consulate's visa requirements below.

All other applicants have to apply for tourist visa.

Standard tourist visa can be single-entry or double-entry and can be issued for no longer than 30 days only.

Documents required:

1. Standard "Tourist Confirmation" and "Tourist Voucher" from Russian travel agency . Travel Agency should be duly registered as a tourist company with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and assigned a special reference number. This reference number should be indicated on the Confirmation Letter.

In order to simplify the process it's recommended to contact any tourist\visa processing agency located in US to verify how to obtain Russian tourist visa support documents.

If you intend to stay in the Russian hotel (without visa support from the travel\visa processing agency located in the US) ask your Russian hotel management to send you by fax or e-mail "Hotel Confirmation" and "Hotel Voucher"  (just let them know that you need visa support documents). For all reliable hotels it's standard procedure and they will assist you in this matter promptly.

Please note: payment confirmation or reservation voucher can't be accepted by the Consulate for your visa processing.

Cruise sea (river) ship passengers without organized group tourist program are required to submit a letter from the Cruise Company and a Cruise Confirmation Letter from the Cruise company’s partner agency in Russia (ask your cruise operator for a copy of that letter prior to applying for a visa).

2. Passport (original). Passport must contain at least two blank pages marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned. Passport must be valid no less than six months after visa expiration date.

Applicant's passport will be in the Consulate's possession within the whole period of visa processing.

3. Copy of the passport's vital pages (with personal data and photo).

4. Standard Visa Application form with one passport-size b\w or color photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form.

Each applicant has to fill out visa application form online, print it on your printer at home or in your office and submit along with other documents required.

No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with the period specified in your invitation. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please note that all dates in your application form must be written in European style (date, month, year). Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office, home). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or NOT FROM THIS Special OFFICIAL WEB SITE will be returned to the applicants unprocessed

5. Cover letter specifying purpose of visit, dates of arrival and departure, cities to be visited in Russia and telephone or facsimile number where you can be reached

Student visas (short term or long term)

(requirements for long stay student visa you can find below)

Short term student visa can be issued for the foreign students traveling for "Short term study", "Russian language courses", "Courses", "Short term student exchange program" etc.

Short term student visa can be valid for single or double entries.

Documents required:

1. Letter of Invitation: a) Official invitation issued by the Russian Federal Migration Service, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)  or its regional offices. Or six digit reference number of your visa support information (MFA telex #) sent directly to the Consulate. This type of invitation or reference number can be obtained by you from your Russian business partner.(The official invitation must contain: official seal and legal address of the agency, document registration number, date of registration, signature and name of an authorized official, travel itinerary, dates of stay, names of persons invited. We reserve the right to request originals of any invitation).

2. Passport (original). Passport must contain at least two blank pages marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned. Passport must be valid no less than six month after visa expiration date.Applicant's passport will be in the Consulate's possession within the whole period of visa processing.

3. Copy of the passport's vital pages (with personal data and photo).

4. Standard Visa Application form with one passport-size b\w or color photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form.

Each applicant has to fill out visa application form online, print it on your printer at home or in your office and submit along with other documents required.

No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with the period specified in your invitation. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please note that all dates in your application form must be written in European style (date, month, year). Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office, home). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or NOT FROM THIS Special OFFICIAL WEB SITE will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

5. Original or copy of the letter from Russian University,  Institute or College confirming that applicant is traveling for short term study for the period of up to three months.

6. Original or copy of applicant's current diploma, educational certificate or official transcript  from his\her university\college.

Long term student visa (valid for more than three months):

(requirements for short stay student visa you can find above)

Long term student visa can be issued for the foreign student who intend to study as full time student in Russia for the period of more than three months (usually one or more years) and has educational contract  with  Russian University or Institute.

Long term student visa can be valid for single entry only.

Documents required:

1. Letter of Invitation: (a) Official invitation issued by the Russian Federal Migration Service, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)  or its regional offices. Or six digit reference number of your visa support information (MFA telex #) sent directly to the Consulate. This type of invitation or reference number can be obtained by you from your  Russian business partner.(The official invitation must contain: official seal and legal address of the agency, document registration number, date of registration, signature and name of an authorized official, travel itinerary, dates of stay, names of persons invited. We reserve the right to request originals of any invitation).

2. Passport (original). Passport must contain at least two blank pages marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned. Passport must be valid no less than six month after visa expiration date. Applicant's passport will be in the Consulate's possession within the whole period of visa processing.

3. Your current US diploma or educational certificate, certified by the State or Federal authorities.

4. Official hospital HIV (AIDS) Test Certificate. This certificate is valid for 3 month only (HIV blood test should be taken not earlier than 3 months before applying for a visa).

5. Confirmation of the payment and contract for your education course received directly from the Russian University, Institute or College you are going to study at.

6. Standard Visa Application form  with one passport-size b\w or color photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form.

Each applicant has to fill out visa application form online, print it on your printer at home or in your office and submit along with other documents required.

No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with the period specified in your invitation. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please note that all dates in your application form must be written in European style (date, month, year). Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office, home). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or NOT FROM THIS Special OFFICIAL WEB SITE will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

Work visa

Work visa can be valid for single or multiple entries.

Multiple Entry Work visa can be valid for 1 year or 3 years depending on the invitation submitted.

Documents required:

1. Letter of Invitation: a) Official invitation issued by the Russian Federal Migration Service, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)  or its regional offices. Or six digit reference number of your visa support information (MFA telex #) sent directly to the Consulate. This type of invitation or reference number can be obtained by you from your  Russian business partner.(The official invitation must contain: official seal and legal address of the agency, document registration number, date of registration, signature and name of an authorized official, travel itinerary, dates of stay, names of persons invited. We reserve the right to request originals of any invitation).

2. Passport (original). Passport must contain at least two blank pages marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned. Passport must be valid no less than six months after visa expiration date.   Applicant's passport will be in the Consulate's possession within the whole period of visa processing.

3. Copy of the passport's vital pages (with personal data and photo).

4. Standard Visa Application form with one passport-size b\w or color photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form.

In case of multiple entry visa  2 copies of visa application form and two photos are required.

Each applicant has to fill out visa application form online, print it on your printer at home or in your office and submit in person only along with other documents required.

Application for this type of visa must be submitted to the ILS in person only (no mail or visa processing agency).

No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with the period specified in your invitation. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please note that all dates in your application form must be written in European style (date, month, year). Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office, home). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or NOT FROM THIS Special OFFICIAL WEB SITE will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

5. Original HIV blood test (AIDS) Certificate. This certificate is valid for 3 month only (HIV blood test should be taken not earlier than 3 months before applying for a visa).

Transit visa

If you travel by airplane transit visa permits you to travel through the Russian territory without staying (depending on your tickets information). This type of visa can be valid for up to 72 hours only.

If you using other means of transportation (railway train, car, bus, ferry, etc.) or you apply for double transit visa (to the country of your final destination and back) it can be valid for up to 10 days only.

Important information for Transit passengers

• If you apply for Russian transit visa you must have valid visa to the country of your final destination - where you are traveling to.
• If changing terminals in the Russian Airport you have to cross Russian boarder through immigration control you have to obtain Transit visa prior to your travel.
• If you stay in Airport Transit zone NOT crossing Russian boarder through  immigration control Transit visa is NOT required for you.

Consulate highly recommend to contact your airline to verify it. Your airline is more familiar with particular airport terminals structure.

In all cases when airline can't verify this question Consulate recommend to obtain transit visa.

Documents required for Transit visa:

1. Passport (original) with valid visa of the country of your final destination. Passport must contain at least two blank pages marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned. Passport must be valid no less than six months after visa expiration date. Applicant's passport will be in the Consulate's possession within the whole period of visa processing.

2. Original and copy of the airway, railway or other ticket with "OK" status only.

3. Copy of the passport's vital pages (with personal data and photo).

4. Standard isa Application form with one passport-size b\w or color photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form.

Each applicant has to fill out visa application form online, print it on your printer at home or in your office and submit along with other documents required.

No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with the period specified in your invitation. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please note that all dates in your application form must be written in European style (date, month, year). Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office, home). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or NOT FROM THIS Special OFFICIAL WEB SITE will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

5. Cover letter specifying purpose of visit, dates of arrival and departure, cities to be visited in Russia and telephone or facsimile number where you can be reached.

Russia Embassies