HOW TO GET A RUSSIAN VISA

"What do I need to get a visa to enter Russia?" is one of the most frequently asked questions that we receive from travellers from around the World. Here, we are providing you with some information concerning your visa application process which, we hope, you will find helpful.

So you have decided to visit Russia - one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world. What do you need to do in order to secure your Russian visa?

Every country may have a different set of documents required for one's visa application process (for more accurate information we recommend that you contact the Russian embassy in your country), but here is a list of some common documents that must be collected in order to obtain a Russia visa:

• Foreign passport
• Consular visa application form
• Two 3*4 centimeter photos
• Visa invitation letter (described below)
• Consular fee
• Travel insurance for those who live in the Schengen zone
• An aids test form, usually for those who wish to stay for more than 3 months

The photos and payment/consular fee are pretty much self explanatory. The payment amount will be listed on the website of the Russian Embassy in your country but is usually not high at all.

The visa invitation letter may be the most difficult document to acquire. That is a document that is issued by the Russian tourist company registered with the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (the company should have a reference number). The easiest way is to get a letter from a Russian travel agency. But make sure that it includes all the correct information about yourself, as well as an official seal, registration number, agency reference number, passport number and a voucher issued by this travel agency. Or you can choose our Russian Visa Invitation Letter Online Service as we have a long established experience, and our guests haven’t had a single denial for a Russian visa to date. Mind that normally scanned copies of the document are well accepted by the Russian embassy in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and some others, but for some countries such as Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan - the Russian embassy requires the original only, that is why the original must be sent from Russia and presented to the Russian embassy in these countries.

Once you collect the documents above, you should be able to mail them to your nearest Russian embassy and then receive them back. In most cases it is also possible to go to the embassy in person and apply directly.

So now you have your visa and are at the airport in Russia. You will need to complete a Russian Migration form. This is mandatory and the form is self explanatory. Give this to the passport control officer and you should be fine.

If you are staying at a hotel or with family/friends, you will need to get migration registration in Russia. You can do this with your friend/family at the closest post office or use our Russian Visa Registration Service Online. If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel will do the work for you, and usually the price is around 10 usd only. If you are in Russia for less than 7 days, you do not need a registration.

There is one way you do not need a visa to go to Russia. This is only if you are travelling to Saint Petersburg on Cruise. In this case you can stay in Russia for no more than 72 hours without a visa.

So don’t be afraid or think it is impossible to get a visa to come to Russia! You won’t regret coming to one of the most beautiful countries in the world!