Russia Visa Requirements

Citizen of:
Tourist Visa
Business Visa

1. Visa Application Form: Important Note: Please electronically upload the following documents required for the generation of your application form:

• Scanned copy of your passport
• Scanned copy of the Russian Invitation Letter

Please refrain from mailing any documents to Avisa Services without the generated application form.

Ensure that each page of your application is printed SINGLE-SIDED only. Applications printed or signed double-sided will be rejected.

2. Original Passport: Your passport must have a validity of at least 6 months beyond the intended date of departure from the destination country. Additionally, it should have a minimum of 2 blank visa pages.

3. Passport-Type Photograph: Include a passport-style photo with a white background, taken within the last 6 months. Optionally, you may choose to upload a photo for us to print, subject to an associated service charge.

4. Tourist Voucher: If applying online, you can add the invitation to your order or upload your own copy. Ordering an invitation through Avisa Services makes the tourist voucher unnecessary.

5. Original Letter of Invitation: Upload a scanned copy of the approved original letter of invitation issued by the Russian Federal Migration Service. Alternatively, provide a Telex number or an electronic invitation with the inviting organization's name issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

6. Electronic Copies of Documents: Upon placing your order, kindly upload electronic scans or photographs of your passport information page and Letter of Invitation. These scans are essential for Avisa Services to generate your application form.

Additional Information:
Additional Required Documents for Applicants with Name Change:

  • Name Change Application: Include a copy of the Name Change Application.
  • Name Change Deed: Provide a copy of the Name Change Deed.
  • Court Order: Submit a copy of the Court Order pertaining to the name change.
  • Marriage Certificate: If applicable, include a copy of the Marriage Certificate.

Additional Requirements for Applicants Born in the Former USSR or Russia:

  • Copy of USSR Passport: Provide a copy of the USSR passport with a stamp indicating departure for "permanent residence abroad" before February 6, 1992.
  • Copy of "Visa to Israel": Alternatively, submit a copy of the "Visa to Israel" issued before February 6, 1992.
  • Copy of Certificate of Naturalization: If applicable, include a copy of the Certificate of Naturalization issued before 1996.
  • Document Confirming Renunciation: Provide a document confirming the renunciation of Russian citizenship.
  • Copy of Passport of Former USSR State: Alternatively, include copies of the main pages of a passport from a former USSR state issued after February 1992.
  • Written Statement of Explanation: If you have no documentation, provide a written statement of explanation.

In accordance with Russian law, visas cannot be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. Please note that children born to two parents who are Russian citizens automatically acquire Russian citizenship, as stated in Article 12 of Russian Law "On citizenship of the Russian Federation." Visas are not issued in such cases, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, have their information recorded in one of their parent's passports, or obtain a Russian passport. If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, clearly indicating that at least one of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.

The Embassy reserves the right to request additional documents and conduct a personal interview at its discretion.

Additional Required Documents for Minors:

  • Birth Certificate: Provide a copy of the applicant's birth certificate.
  • Letter of Consent: Include a notarized letter of consent signed by both parents, specifying the accompanying adult and authorizing the Consulate to issue a visa to the child.
  • Parents' Passport Copies: Submit copies of the information pages of both parents' signed passports.

Additional Information for Self-Employed and Unemployed Travelers:

  • Please provide a copy of the applicant's most recent bank statement.
  • Name Change Application. A copy of the Name Change Application.
  • Name Change Deed. A copy of the Name Change Deed.
  • Court Order. A copy of the Court Order for the name change.
  • Marriage Certificate A copy of the Marriage Certificate, if applicable.
  • Copy of USSR passport with a stamp stating you left for “permanent residence abroad”, dated prior to February 6, 1992;
  • Or a copy of a “Visa to Israel” issued prior to February 6, 1992;
  • Or a copy of a Certificate of Naturalization issued prior to 1996;
  • Or a document confirming the renunciation of your Russian citizenship;
  • Or a copy of the main pages of a passport of a former USSR state, issued after February 1992;
  • Or a written statement of explanation, in the case that you have no documentation.

We remind you that in accordance with Article 12 of Russian Law “On citizenship of the Russian Federation”, children born to two parents who are Russian citizens, automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In this case, visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents, or obtain a Russian passport. If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.

The embassy may request additional documents and a personal interview at their discretion.

  • Birth certificate. A copy of the applicant's birth certificate.
  • Letter of consent. A notarized letter of consent signed by both parents specifies who will be traveling with the child and authorizes the Consulate to issue a visa to the child.
  • Parents' passport copies. A copy of the information pages of both parents signed passports.

Please provide a copy of the applicant's most recent bank statement.

Russia Tourist visa fees for citizens of the United States of America

Type of visa

Validity

 

Processing

 

 Embassy fee Service fee Total cost
Single entry (30 days stay) Up to 30 days 10 business days $243.00 $129.00 $372.00
Double entry (30 days stay) Up to 30 days 10 business days $243.00 $129.00 $372.00