The Russian government requires foreigners who visit, travel and reside in or transit the country to obtain a visa to enter and exit.
There are seven types of visas: tourist, guest, business, work, student, transit (valid for three days only) and diplomatic visas.
Required Documents
The following documents are required to obtain a visa:
- an application form (provided by a Russian Embassy or consulate);
- a passport valid six months beyond the intended stay;
- a passport size photo;
- a letter of invitation registered at the Interior Ministry, a standard tourist confirmation (for a tourist visa) or copies of airline tickets and destination country visa (for a transit visa);
- a cover letter; and,
- an HIV certificate (for visas lasting more than three months).
Refer to a Russian Embassy or consulate or a travel agency to find out exactly what is required for a particular visa type.
How to Submit the Documents
There are two ways to apply for a visa: 1) submit in person or mail the required documents directly to a Russian Embassy or consulate or 2) submit them through a travel agency for an additional fee.
Russian Embassies and Consulates
A list of Russian Embassies and consulates abroad: www.themoscowtimes.com
Russian Embassy in the United States: www.russianembassy.org
Russian Consulate in New York: www.ruscon.com
Russian Embassy in Canada: www.rusembcanada.mid.ru
Russian Embassy in Britain: www.russialink.org.uk
Consulate locator; this page has contact information for Russian consulates and embassies all over the world: www.russianembassy.net
Sponsorship
By law, visa holders are required to have a Russian-based sponsor, whose type will depend respectively on the type of visa.
Tourist visas require a travel agency; guest visas - a private individual; business visas – a commercial entity; student visas - an educational institution or a school; work visas - an employer.
For those, who hold travel visas, it helps to know the sponsor’s contact information in Russia in advance should a problem arise in country.
The visa holder is a guest of Russia invited with the consent of the sponsor, who is responsible for the holder during the duration of his stay. The sponsor is responsible for registration of residence.
Entry / Migration Cards
Upon entry, visa holders are required to fill out migration cards, which are usually distributed to passengers on incoming flights and available in racks at arrival points in country.
The card has two identical sections. One half is collected by the immigration official at the point of entry, and the other is registered (with the visa in country) and given up when the holder leaves the country.
Lost/stolen migration cards cannot be replaced. This should not be a problem when leaving the country. However, there could be a problem when trying to reenter Russia at a future date.
The migration card system was introduced in Russia, effective November 25, 2002, to determine the number of foreigners, who remain (illegally) in Russia after their visas expire.
Visa Registration
Visa holders staying in Russia more than three days are required to register their visas and migration cards within three working days. Weekends and holidays are excluded.
Holders must register in each city in which they stay for more than three days.
Those who stay less than three days are not required but are recommended to register.
On the day of arrival, tourist visa holders register at the hotel where they will stay. The hotels will register the visas only for the paid period of stay.
For those, who do not have tourist visas, the host or the hosting organization is responsible for registering the visa at the nearest Russian visa and passport office (OVIR/UVIR).
A visa, which is not registered, is considered not valid. The visa holder could face fines and sometimes deportation. Those deported will not be able to return for the next five years.
Exit
Generally, visas issued by a Russian Embassy or consulate are valid for both entry and exit.
Some student visas allow only entry. In this case, the sponsor is responsible for obtaining an exit visa. An exit visa can take up to 20 days.
Helpful Links
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow web site has helpful information, if visa problems should occur. moscow.usembassy.gov
The U.S. Department of State maintains an updated consular information sheet, containing the latest information on Russia visas. travel.state.gov
