Visitor’s visa to Russia

Effective from November 1, 2008 in order to streamline and improve visa issuance procedures, as well as relevant security measures, the Consulate General doesn't accept visa applications by mail. We would like to encourage visa applicants unable to submit their documents at our office in person to channel their applications and related inquiries through the following recommended visa processing service agencies:

To get a visitor’s visa please submit the following paperwork to the Consulate General in person:

• A completed visa application form, one per person.

  Click here to download the form for citizens of the United State, Great Britain and Georgia:	Click here to download the form for other foreign nationals:

  (ATTENTION! Effective from December 12, 2008 a new visa application form has been put into use both for U.S. citizens (click here for instructions) and for other foreign nationals (click here for instructions). Please note that application forms differing from the above are no longer accepted for processing.).

• A valid passport which should have at least two clear visa pages. Your passport must be valid for no less than six months after the date of your departure from Russia.

• One copy of the passport pages that contain personal data of the bearer.

• One passport quality photo of the applicant 3 cm by 4 cm (1 3/8’’ by 1 3/4’’), which should be glued to the marked space on the application form.

• The original official confirmation of invitation for private purposes issued through the Russian Federal Migration Service, its local offices or the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its regional representatives, or any other authorized Russian agency. The letter must contain: official seal, document registration number, date of registration, signature and name of an authorized official, travel itinerary, dates of stay, names and passport information of the persons invited. We reserve the right to request the original letter of invitation.
  Russian citizens who reside in the US can invite their immediate family to Russia without an official letter of invitation. Please click here for the necessary instructions.
  In case of an emergency (unexpected illness, death of a close relative) visitor's visa can be obtained upon submitting a certified cable from a doctor of a Russian clinic or a copy of death certificate. Proof of kinship is required.

• A cover letter from the applicant with the basic personal information, destination, terms and purpose of the trip.

• A money order or cashier’s check for visa processing payable to the Consulate General of Russia. Please, note that we do not accept cash, company or personal checks.

The visa processing fees for US citizens are as follows:

For 4-20 business days processing:

·        $140 – for a single or double-entry visa;

·        $150 – for a multiple-entry visa.

 For 3 business days processing:

·        $250 – for a single or double-entry visa;

·        $450 – for a multiple-entry visa.

The visa processing fees for EU citizens are as follows: 

According to the Russia-EU visa facilitation agreement as well as visa agreements with Denmark and Norway the processing fees for business, tourist, transit, and visitor’s visas for the citizens of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden are as follows:

For 10 days processing - $50;

For 3 days processing (for urgent matters only) - $100. 

Fees for student and work visas for the above mentioned EU citizens vary from country to country, so please contact the Visa Desk for a quote. 

Visa processing fees for all other nationals must be verified in advance. Please contact the Visa Desk for a quote.

Visa processing fee is nonrefundable. Please, note that the drop off day is not counted as a business day. Visa processing starts only after we have collected all the necessary documents. Expedited processing is only available if the volume of work technically permits.

Additional paperwork might be required for non-US citizens:

·        In order to apply for a Russian visa most non-US citizens will need to submit a proof of their legal status in the USA (copy of Green Card, student or business visa, work permit, etc.).

·        Mandatory medical insurance on the basis of reciprocity is required for the citizens of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Any visa applicant may be interviewed by a consular officer if deemed necessary.

When you receive your visa please check it for any mistakes (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consulate General for corrections. The Consulate General will not be responsible for any mistakes in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to your departure from the United States.

Please, note that the visas cannot be adjusted or extended. If your travel plans change after the visa issuance you have to reapply for a new visa.

Processing time, requirements and fees are subject to change without notice.

For additional information contact the Visa Desk.