FREQuently asked questions

1. List of documents needed to obtain visa to enter Russia
2. Processing time and fees of visa issuance
3. Countries that do not require Russian visa
4. When an invitation application may be denied
5. When a visa application may be denied
6. Difference between private, tourist, business and work visas

1. standart documents for obtaining a visa at russian consulate*:

• Original passport of a foreign citizen;
• Visa application form, completed and signed;
• 2 photos 3.5*4.5
• Invitation (copy or original);
• Insurance policy. Our specialists can help you to obtain an insurance policy.

* Specify full list of documents at the local Consulate. Consulate fee is charged when you apply for a visa.

2. visa fees can vary in different consulates depending on visa issuance term (the shorter term – the higher fees). standard visa fees :

• 35 Euros for standard processing of the application (5-10 working days)
• 70 Euros for urgent processing of the application (3 working days)

3. countries that do not require russian visa

4. when an invitation application may be denied

Visa application can be denied for an applicant’s current or past actions, such as criminal activities, prohibition to leave country, 2 or more administrative violations during the validity of a previous Russian visa. We advise you to clarify this matter with a person you are planning to invite. If invitation application is denied, FMS issues an official letter, and in this case the price of invitation is non-refundable.

5. when a visa application may be denied

Every Consulate has right to deny visa without clarifying the reason. But some common reasons are following:

• false information provided in application form
• the purpose of the visit is contrary to fact
• criminal intentions
• violations during the previous visit of Russia

Unofficial reasons for denial can vary from unpresentable appearance of applicant to applicant’s nationality. Consulate’s task is to prevent visitors with criminal intentions from entering Russia. Following actions can be viewed as criminal intentions: intention of immigration, intention of working in Russia without obtaining a work visa, staying in the country after visa expiration date, etc. Applicants without a well paid job and young solo traveling women may have some difficulties with obtaining a visa.

6. difference between private (homestay), tourist, business and work visas.

• The quickest and cheapest way to obtain a short term visa.
• In order to obtain an actual visa, you first need to obtain a tourist invitation. Purpose of visit with this type of visa – tourism. Stay at the hotel is intended, but not obligatory.
• Maximum period of stay with this type of visa – 30 days.

• Purpose of business visa – negotiations, consultations, participation in the conference, etc.
• In order to obtain an actual visa, you first need to obtain a business invitation. Business visa gives right to stay on the territory of Russian Federation no more than 90 days in each 180-day period.
• Maximum period of stay with this type of visa – 12 months.

• This type of visa can be obtained by foreign citizens that have relatives or acquaintances in Russia.
• In order to obtain an actual visa, you first need to obtain an original UFMS invitation from the inviting person. Total amount of days with this visa not exceeding 90 days.
• Issuance term can be 1-4 months.

• Work visa requires work invitation and work permit, issued by the company, where foreign citizen is planning to work
• Validity of work visa is equal to validity of work permit and can run up to 3 years.
• Period of stay with this type of visa is unlimited.
• The process of obtaining work visa is long and complicated.

• Single-entry visa gives right to enter Russia only one time. Visa validity is strictly defined.
• Double-entry visa gives right to enter Russia one or two times. Visa validity is strictly defined.
• Multiple-entry visa gives right to enter Russia more than two times. To obtain this type of visa foreign citizen must have an original invitation and previous single- and double-entry Russian visas.