A Russian visa is an official petrmission to enter, pass through, stay in or live in Russia during a certain period of time. Ordinary visa has a form of an endorsement, which is put in your passport by a Russian Embassy or Consulate.
A Russian visa lists:
• Traveller’s name and surname written in both Russian and Latin characters
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Citizenship/nationality
• Passport number
• Visa Issue date
• Entry and exit dates;
• Visa type (for example, a tourist visa or business visa)
• Number of entries allowed (i.e. single entry, double entry or multiple entry)
• Purpose of visit (e.g. study or tourism)
• Information of the host organisation in Russia
• Russian visa invitation number
Russian Visas are classified according to:
Number of entries:
Single-entry Russian visa allows to enter Russia ONCE within the specified period of time.
Double-entry Russian visa gives permission to enter Russia ONCE or TWICE within stipulated dates.
Multiple-entry Russian visa is valid for more than 2 visits to Russia during 3, 6 or 12 months.
Purpose of travel:
Tourist Visa
1. Cheapest and easiest to obtain
2. Best visa type for short visits
3. Valid for single or double entry and a maximum stay of thirty days
4. Can be issued only upon the invitation and voucher provided by authorised Russian tourist company
5. Non-extendible – if you wish to stay longer in Russia, you must leave the country and obtain a new visa
6. Often recommended instead of a Private or Homestay Visa, which is much harder to obtain
Business Visa
1. Issued for foreigners who enter Russia for business purposes, (e.g. representatives of foreign governments, members of official delegations, cultural or sports exchange visitors etc). Tourists who intends to stay in Russia for more than 30 days often use this type of Russian visa.
2. Can be obtained only on the basis of a business invitation from a Russian company authorised by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The invitation issue takes normally 20 working days. An original of the invitation is required together with visa application.
3. Valid for up to 12 months with single, double or multiple entry though allows a maximum of 90 days in a 180 day period.
4. An original HIV Certificate proving a negative result is required for any stay of more than 3 months.
Private or Homestay Visa
1. Best bet if you have friends or relatives in Russia who can host you during your trip
2. Requires the original letter of personal invitation from your Russian host, obtained at the local Visa and Registration Department of the Ministry of the Internal Affairs (OVIR)
3. Valid for single or double entry for a maximum of ninety days stay
4. Extremely time-consuming - private invitation is likely to take you from 45 days up to four months to obtain your visa
5. Granted solely for the trips to the city where the invitation has been issued
Transit Visa 1. Needed only when you travel through Russia on your way to another country without staying on Russian territory
2. An invitation is not required.
3. A copy of the air, railway or other ticket with "confirmed" status and (if needed) a visa to the country of destination is required.
4. For travellers having flights connection in Russia transit visa is issued for 72 hours. For the transit travel by car maximum validity of the transit Russian visa is 10 days. The precise validity term is determined as ratio of the shortest transit distance and daily run equal to 500 km
5. Not obligatory if you are on a direct flight through Russian territory.
Student Visa
1. Granted to students who will be enrolled on academic or language programs in Russia.
2. Issued on the basis of an invitation and contract of study with an educational institution
3. Valid from 3 months up to one year in the first instance, but it is extendible, depending on how long you will be studying in Russia.
4. An original HIV Certificate proving a negative result is required for any stay of more than 3 months.
Employment Visa
1. Granted for foreign employees of Russian companies.
2. Valid from 3 months up to one year with multiple entries.
3. Can be issued on the basis of Russian work permit, an employment agreement, official Russian visa invitation, and the company must also be in possession of a license for hiring foreign employees
Other types of Russian Visa
There are other types of Russian visa for very specific cases, for example: diplomatic visa, refugee visa, visa for humanitarian and religious purposes
Invitation to Russia
Whatever type of Russian visa you need, (with the exception of a transit visa), it will always require a specific visa support document - a visa invitation. This is often called “visa support” or "invitaion letter" and has to be issued by the party inviting you to Russia - tourist company, employing company, educational institution, relative or a friend.
If you are planning to visit Russia for live or business several times a year we recommend you to apply for the one year
multiple-entry business visa.
The official visa invitation issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry is needed for the business visa.
We can provide you Official visa invitation from one of reputable Russian companies.
With Official business visa invitation you have 99% chance to get visa in your country.
Cost of invitation $80 + courier delivery
Please ask for details by email -
