Russia Visa Passport

This page offers visa and passport information that will help you know how to get a passport and how to apply for a visa.

Passport Information
The passport must be valid for at least six months after expiry of the visa.

Visas Information: Citizens of most non-Russia Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries must acquire a visa prior to arriving in Russia. Citizens of Croatia, Cuba, and Thailand do not require a visa. Since the process of getting a Russian Visa is time consuming, most visitors should start the course at least two months in advance.

Tourist invitation: can be attained from a government approved hotel in Russia, on-line hotel booking service or Russian travel agency. The sign of government approval is called "consular reference," that is a government registration number with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Only hotels and travel agencies that have consular reference can issue the confirmations valid for visa purposes.

Business invitations: are issued by the government and for many Russian consulates the original hard copy is required (though some will accept a faxed copy, always check this before applying). Any registered company in Russia can submit an application for the business invitation for a foreign national in the visa and passport office of Russia. On average it will take 4 to 6 weeks to get a business visa.

Personal invitation: Any Russian citizen can apply to invite foreign nationals for a trip at the passport and visa office. The procedure is same as for business invitation. It normally takes 4 to 6 weeks for the request to work out. The inviting entity is solely accountable for all your activities while in Russia and can be reprimanded heavily if something goes wrong at your end.

Visa Validity

• If you are on a business trip you visa validity stays up to 90 days
• For multiple-entry: the validity should be for six or 12 months that provides infinite entries and exits;
• For tourists and visitors the validity extends to a maximum of 30 days.

Application of Visa

• Completed visa application form (one per person) which can be obtained from the Consulate or travel agencies. All entries must be typed or printed in block letters. Incomplete visa application forms shall not be processed.
• Copy of the passport pages which contain personal data of the bearer, or originals of other travel documents. Diplomatic passport holders are required to submit the originals.
• Three regular passport-size photographs of the applicant will be required. Please, sign on the back.