Russia Visa Policy

There are the following types of Russian visas:

• Humanitarian Visa
• Business Visa
• Student Visa
• Transit Visa
• Work Visa
• Private Visa
• Tourist Visa

Russian Visa Cost

Visa fees vary depending on the nationality of the applicant, visa type, number of entries, and processing time.

Humanitarian visa issued for entering the Russian Federation with the aim of establishing, renewing, or strengthening academic, cultural, or socio-political ties, taking part in sports, religious activity, charitable work, or supplying humanitarian aid.

This visa is issued based on an invitation submitted by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation (FMS of Russia), or based on a written invitation from an organization or an authority, or based on a decision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA of Russia).

Humanitarian visas may be single-entry or double-entry with a period of validity of 90 days, or multi-entry and valid for one year (unless stipulated otherwise under an international agreement with the Russian Federation).

Required Documents for Russia Humanitarian Visa

1. Invitation Letter

• An invitation to enter the Russian Federation issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation

2. A Decision from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to Issue a Visa or a Written Letter from the Host Organization or Institution

3. Foreign Passport

• An original passport containing at least 2 blank pages for visas
• Valid for a period of 6 months after the visa expires

4. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

5. Application Form

• Online application form completed on the website visa.kdmid.ru, printed and signed in person by the applicant

6. Photo

• Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:
• 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap, or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).

7. Insurance

• The original medical insurance policy document, valid in the territory of the Russian Federation and covering the entire duration of the visa. The medical insurance policy must contain:
  • The date when the agreement was signed;
  • The policy number;
  • The full name of the person insured;
  • Full details of the insurer;
  • The policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and dual-entry visas and the duration of the first trip for multi-entry visas;
  • A list of medical and medical-transport services provided for, including repatriation;
  • The minimum amount of coverage must be 30,000 EUR;
  • The territory must be Worldwide, the Russian Federation, or Europe including Russia;
  • The signature of the insurer.

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy

Processing Time for Russia Humanitarian Visa

The average processing time for a Russia Humanitarian visa is 10-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

Russia Humanitarian Visa Fee

Russia Humanitarian visa fee is 30-300 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Where to Apply for Russia Humanitarian Visa?

You will apply for the Russia Humanitarian in Russia visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Standard Business visa issued to enter the Russian Federation for business purposes (conducting negotiations, holding seminars, conferences, or meetings with business partners).

This visa is issued based on an invitation issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation (FMS of Russia), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA of Russia), or a written invitation from an organization.

It may be a single-entry or double-entry with a period of validity of 90 days, or multi-entry and valid for one year (unless stipulated otherwise under an international agreement with the Russian Federation).

You may not stay in the Russian Federation on a multi-entry standard business visa for more than 90 days in any 180 days.

To obtain a multiple-entry visa valid for one year or more, you should provide your original medical insurance policy document, valid in the territory of the Russian Federation, and covering the day of entry/entries to the Russian Federation.

Required Documents for Russia Business Visa

1. Invitation Letter

• An invitation to enter the Russian Federation issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation

2. A Decision from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to Issue a Visa or a Written Letter from the Host Organization or Institution

3. Foreign Passport

• An original passport containing at least 2 blank pages for visas
• Valid for a period of 6 months after the visa expires

4. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

5. Application Form

• Online application form completed on the website visa.kdmid.ru, printed and signed in person by the applicant

6. Photo

• Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:
• 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap, or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).

7. Insurance

• The original medical insurance policy document, valid in the territory of the Russian Federation and covering the entire duration of the visa. The medical insurance policy must contain:
  • The date when the agreement was signed;
  • The policy number;
  • The full name of the person insured;
  • Full details of the insurer;
  • The policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and dual-entry visas and the duration of the first trip for multi-entry visas;
  • A list of medical and medical-transport services provided for, including repatriation;
  • The minimum amount of coverage must be 30,000 EUR;
  • The territory must be Worldwide, the Russian Federation, or Europe including Russia;
  • The signature of the insurer.

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy

Processing Time for Russia Business Visa 

The average processing time for a Russia Business visa is 10-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

Russia Business Visa Fee

Russia Business visa fee is 30-300 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Where to Apply for Russia Business Visa?

You will apply for the Russia Business visa in Russia visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Standard Student visa issued to enter the Russian Federation for study purposes on the basis of an invitation from the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation (FMS of Russia), or on the basis of a decision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA of Russia).

Student visas are either single-entry or double-entry and are valid for 90 days.

The FMS of Russia may subsequently extend the visa at the place where the foreign national resides and is based, for migration records, by issuing a multi-entry visa for the duration of the study contract, entered into under the educational legislation of the Russian Federation, but by no more than 1 year for each subsequent visa.

Required Documents for Russia Student Visa

1. Invitation Letter

• An invitation to enter the Russian Federation issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation

2. A Decision from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to Issue a Visa or a Written Letter from the Host Organization Or Institution

3. Foreign Passport

• An original passport containing at least 2 blank pages for visas
• Valid for a period of 6 months after the visa expires

4. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

5. Application Form

• Online application form completed on the website visa.kdmid.ru, printed and signed in person by the applicant

6. Photo

• Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:
• 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap, or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).

7. Insurance

• The original medical insurance policy document, valid in the territory of the Russian Federation and covering the entire duration of the visa. The medical insurance policy must contain:
  • The date when the agreement was signed;
  • The policy number;
  • The full name of the person insured;
  • Full details of the insurer;
  • The policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and dual-entry visas and the duration of the first trip for multi-entry visas;
  • A list of medical and medical-transport services provided for, including repatriation;
  • The minimum amount of coverage must be 30,000 EUR;
  • The territory must be Worldwide, the Russian Federation, or Europe, including Russia;
  • The signature of the insurer.

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy

Processing Time for Russia Student Visa 

The average processing time for a Russia Student visa is 10-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

Russia Student Visa Fee

Russia Student visa fee is 30-300 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Where to Apply for Russia Student Visa?

You will apply for the Russia Student visa in Russia visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Standard single-entry Transit visa issued to enter the Russian Federation to pass through the territory of the Russian Federation. This may be for a period of up to 10 days (by road or rail), or a period of up to 3 days (by air), based on valid tickets for departure from the Russian Federation and possession of a valid visa for entry into the next state en route, or a visa for the final port of call, or passport for that country.

Foreign citizens passing through the Russian Federation to the country of their destination in a motor car or heavy goods vehicle are issued with a transit visa for the period required to complete the journey by the shortest routes (but in no case for a period longer than ten days). The period of validity of the visa in such cases shall be calculated based on a theoretical average daily distance being equal to 500 km.

The period of validity of double-entry transit visas must not exceed one month. In cases when foreign nationals need to pass through Russian in transit on their way to a third country, then come back through Russia more than a month later, they must apply for a single-entry transit visa and obtain a second transit visa at the Russian Embassy/Consulate in the country which was the foreign national's initial destination.

Required Documents for Russia Transit Visa

1. Valid Travel Tickets for Entry Into and Exit from the Russian Federation;

2. An Entry Visa for the Country Next After the Russian Federation En Route, or a Visa for the Final Port of Call, or a Passport from that State, or a Request, Stating Reasons, and Documents Confirming the Need to Make the Stop, Unless Otherwise Allowed for Under an International Agreement. No Visa is required for Citizens of Countries which have the Right to Visa-free Entry into a Neighboring State or Final Port of Call Under Agreements that are In Place Between Them;

3. Foreign Passport

• An original passport containing at least 2 blank pages for visas
• Valid for a period of 6 months after the visa expires

4. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

5. Application Form

• Online application form completed on the website visa.kdmid.ru, printed and signed in person by the applicant.

6. Photo

• Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:
• 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap, or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).

7. Insurance

• The original medical insurance policy document, valid in the territory of the Russian Federation and covering the entire duration of the visa.
• The medical insurance policy must contain:
  • The date when the agreement was signed;
  • The policy number;
  • The full name of the person insured;
  • Full details of the insurer;
  • The policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and dual-entry visas and the duration of the first trip for multi-entry visas;
  • A list of medical and medical-transport services provided for, including repatriation;
  • The minimum amount of coverage must be 30,000 EUR;
  • The territory must be Worldwide, the Russian Federation, or Europe, including Russia;
  • The signature of the insurer.

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy

Processing Time for Russia Transit Visa 

The average processing time for a Russia Transit visa is  10-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

Russia Transit Visa Fee

Russia Transit visa fee is 30-300 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Where to Apply for Russia Transit Visa?

You will apply for the Russia Transit visa in Russia visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

A standard Work visa is issued to enter the Russian Federation for work purposes based on an invitation issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation (FMS of Russia). There is a possibility to extend the visa by the FMS of Russia. Grounds for extending the visa are labor contract or civil-labor contract for work to be carried out or the provision of services, entered under the legislation of the Russian Federation.

Work visas are single-entry only and valid for up to 90 days (except for visas for highly skilled experts).

Required Documents for Russia Work Visa

1. Invitation Letter

• An invitation to enter the Russian Federation issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation

2. Foreign Passport

• An original passport containing at least 2 blank pages for visas
• Valid for a period of 1.5 years after the visa becomes valid

3. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

4. Application Form

• Online application form completed on the website visa.kdmid.ru, printed and signed in person by the applicant

5. Photo

• Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:
• 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap, or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).

6. Insurance

• The original medical insurance policy document, valid in the territory of the Russian Federation and covering the entire duration of the visa.
• The medical insurance policy must contain:
  • The date when the agreement was signed;
  • The policy number;
  • The full name of the person insured;
  • Full details of the insurer;
  • The policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and dual-entry visas and the duration of the first trip for multi-entry visas;
  • A list of medical and medical-transport services provided for, including repatriation;
  • The minimum amount of coverage must be 30,000 EUR;
  • The territory must be Worldwide, the Russian Federation, or Europe including Russia;
  • The signature of the insurer.

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy

Processing Time for Russia Work Visa 

The average processing time for a Russia Work visa is 10-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

Russia Work Visa Fee

Russia Work visa fee is 30-300 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Where to Apply for Russia Work Visa?

You will apply for the Russia Work visa in Russia visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

A Standard Private visa is issued to enter the Russian Federation as guests based on an invitation completed under the legislation of the Russian Federation, following an application by a citizen of the Russian Federation or a foreign national who has obtained residency in the Russian Federation, or a legal entity.

• An invitation to enter the Russian Federation issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation, following an application by a citizen of the Russian Federation or a foreign national who has obtained residency in the Russian Federation, or a legal entity;
• A written request from a citizen of the Russian Federation made out to the director of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the applicant’s country regarding their joint entry into the Russian Federation with members of his family, who are minors or foreign nationals;
• A written notarized application from a citizen of the applicant’s country who lives legally in the Russian Federation and invites their next of kin.

Foreign nationals may also be issued with a standard private visa due to the need to enter the Russian Federation because of urgent treatment, or following the severe illness or death of a close relative and provided a written confirmation of the need to provide urgent medical assistance or of the severe illness or the death of a near relative. Private visas are issued for a period of up to 90 days and maybe either single-entry or double entry.

Special cases

Individuals attending military or civil funerals must provide the following documents:

• The original or a notarized copy of the document confirming that the funeral is taking place. The document must have been issued by the Russian authorities or by the Red Cross.
• The original or a copy of the document confirming that the applicant and the deceased are related (next-of-kin*). *Next-of-kin shall be understood to mean parents, children, grandchildren, spouses, grandmothers, grandfathers, and siblings.
• Individuals attending military or civil funerals are, generally, issued with short-term private visas valid for 14 days.

Required Documents for Russian Private Visa

1. Invitation Letter

• An invitation to enter the Russian Federation issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation

2. A Written Application

• From a citizen of the Russian Federation made out to the director of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in his/her residence country regarding their joint entry into the Russian Federation with members of their family, spouse or children who are minors or foreign nationals

3. A Notarized Application

• From a citizen of the European Union, who lives legally in the Russian Federation and invites his close relatives - close relatives shall be understood to mean parents, children, grandchildren, spouses, grandmothers, grandfathers, and siblings. The copies of the documents confirming his legal residence must be attached to his application: residence permit, temporary residence permit, student, or work visa.

4. The Copies of the Certificates

• Issued by the civil registry office, or the similar documents issued by the appropriate authority abroad. In the case of the applications from grandparents or grandchildren, there must be copies of two certificates of the civil registry office, or of the similar documents that are issued by the appropriate authority abroad. These documents must prove the kinship of the mentioned persons.

5. Foreign Passport

• An original passport containing at least 2 blank pages for visas, valid for a period of 6 months after the visa expires

6. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

7. Application Form

• Online application form completed on the website visa.kdmid.ru, printed and signed in person by the applicant

8. Photo

• Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:
• 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap, or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).

9. Insurance

• The original medical insurance policy document, valid in the territory of the Russian Federation and covering the entire duration of the visa. The medical insurance policy must contain:
  • The date when the agreement was signed;
  • The policy number;
  • The full name of the person insured;
  • Full details of the insurer;
  • The policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and dual-entry visas and the duration of the first trip for multi-entry visas;
  • A list of medical and medical-transport services provided for, including repatriation;
  • The minimum amount of coverage must be 30,000 EUR;
  • The territory must be Worldwide, the Russian Federation, or Europe including Russia;
  • The signature of the insurer.

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy

Processing Time for Russia Private Visa 

The average processing time for a Russia Private visa is 10-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

Russia Private Visa Fee

Russia Private visa fee is 30-300 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Where to Apply for a Russia Private Visa?

You will apply for the Russia Private visa in Russia visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

Standard Tourist visas are issued to enter the Russian Federation for short-term stays in the country for tourism (going to cultural events, excursions, sight-seeing) on the basis of a confirmation that the foreign tourist is going to be hosted by a Russian tour operator.

The maximum validity period of a tourist visa is no more than 30 days. Tourist visas to the Russian Federation are either single-entry or double entry.

A tourist visa entitles visitors to enter the country to conduct brief business negotiations, attend exhibitions, auctions, and medical consultations or examinations. In such cases, to confirm that the foreign tourist is expected, 'tourism with a special purpose' should be put in the field' purpose of visit', and the visa will be issued for the number of days required to attend the event, as shown in the accommodation confirmation (provided this is no longer than 30 days).

Double-entry tourist visas are issued to foreign nationals only in cases when, according to the documents, the tourist plans to visit other states neighboring Russia during their visit to the country (the "near abroad" (CIS, Baltic states)) or states from which they will return through Russian territory (e.g. China or Mongolia). The route must be stated on the tourist's ticket (or the foreign tourist's accommodation confirmation, issued by the Russian organization hosting the tourist).

Required Documents for Russia Tourist Visa

1. Confirmation that you are going to be Hosted as a Tourist by a Russian Tour Operator, which is Registered in the Unified Register of Tour Operators.

2. Foreign Passport

• An original passport containing at least 2 blank pages for visas
• Valid for a period of 6 months after the visa expires

3. National Identity Card and Resident Permit/Visa Copy (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

4. Application Form

• Online application form completed on the website visa.kdmid.ru, printed and signed in person by the applicant

5. Photo

• Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:
• 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap, or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).

6. Insurance

• The original medical insurance policy document, valid in the territory of the Russian Federation and covering the entire duration of the visa. The medical insurance policy must contain:
  • The date when the agreement was signed;
  • The policy number;
  • The full name of the person insured;
  • Full details of the insurer;
  • The policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and dual-entry visas and the duration of the first trip for multi-entry visas;
  • A list of medical and medical-transport services provided for, including repatriation;
  • The minimum amount of coverage must be 30,000 EUR;
  • The territory must be Worldwide, the Russian Federation, or Europe including Russia;
  • The signature of the insurer.

*Additional documents can be required by the embassy.

Processing Time for Russia Tourist Visa 

The average processing time for a Russia Tourist visa is 10-20 calendar days. It depends on your visa application country.

Russia Tourist Visa Fee

Russia Tourist visa fee is 30-300 EUR. The fee may vary depending on your nationality or your country of submission.

Where to Apply for Russia Tourist Visa?

You will apply for the Russia Tourist visa in Russia visa application centers, embassies, or consulates, whichever accepts visa applications in your country of residence. If there is none of them in your country, you need to apply to the nearest embassy or consulate to your location.

At present, foreign citizens have the opportunity to apply for electronic visas to visit St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, the Kaliningrad Region, and the Far East of the Russian Federation.

An Electronic visa can only be obtained by citizens of the following states, the list of which is established by the Government of the Russian Federation:

E-visas can be of the following categories only:

• Ordinary business visa (purpose of the journey is business)
• Ordinary tourist visa (purpose of the journey is tourism)
• Ordinary humanitarian visa (purposes of the journey are sports, cultural, scientific, and technological ties).

If the purpose of your journey to the Russian Federation does not correspond to any of the above, you should apply for a traditional (non-electronic) visa at a diplomatic mission or consular office of the Russian Federation.

Required Documents for Russian E-visa

1. Application Form

2. Foreign Passport

• An original passport containing at least 2 blank pages for visas
• Valid for a period of 6 months after the visa expires.

3. Photo

• A passport-style recent color photograph taken against a white background (ratio: 3.5 x 4.5)

4. Insurance

• A valid health insurance policy to cover the duration of the stay in Russia

Processing Time for Russia E-visa 

The average processing time for a Russia E-visa is  3-5 calendar days. 

Russia E-visa Fee

Russia E-visa is issued free of charge.

Where to Apply for Russia E-visa?

You will apply for the Russia E-visa online through this website.