Traveling to Russia
Russia is one of the world’s most visited countries that welcomed over 18 million visitors in 2018, and notwithstanding the most recent global travel restrictions, the Russian Federation still recorded over 7 million visitors in 2021. Foreign nationals from over 53 countries are eligible to apply online for a Russia unified e-Visa. All other foreign nationals must apply for a Russia sticker visa at their nearest Russian embassy or representation office abroad.
The Russia unified e-Visa allows foreign nationals to enter and stay in Russia for several purposes including tourism, business, study, sports, culture, diplomacy, and humanitarian activities. Other purposes may require application of a Russia sticker visa through a Russian embassy or representation office abroad.
The Russia unified e-Visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issue and allows for a single-entry maximum 16-day stay. Depending on your nationality and visit purpose, other visas can hold varied validity dates and permitted durations of stay. For example, the Russia tourist visa allows for a single-entry stay of 30 days, while some foreign nationals are eligible for a multiple-entry 3-year tourist visa.
Russia visa types
The following are the 7 main types of Russian visas:
Tourist Visa
Short-term tourism activities. Single or double entry visa valid for a maximum of 30 days. Some foreign nationals are eligible for a 3-year multiple-entry visa.
Business Visa
Short-term business activities. Single or double entry visa valid for a maximum of 30 days, or multiple-entry visa valid for 1 year.
Private Visa
Invitation by Russian citizen or permanent resident. Single or double entry visa valid for a maximum of 90 days, or multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years. Some foreign nationals are eligible for a 3-year multiple-entry private visa.
Student Visa
Long-term enrollment in an educational institution. Single or double entry visa valid for a maximum of 90 days.
Transit Visa
Single-entry transit visas for airplane travel are valid for 3 days, or 10 days for travel by car or train. Double entry transit visas are valid for 1 month.
Work Visa
Long-term, taxable employment. Validity and extension based on contract between foreign national and Russian employer.
Humanitarian Visa
Humanitarian, charity, cultural, political and other activities. Single or double entry visa valid for a maximum of 90 days, or multiple-entry visa valid for 3 years.
Russia visa requirements
The following documents are required for Russia e-Visa:
Passport
Machine-readable, valid for at least 6 months from application date, and contains a blank space for official use.
Passport Copy
Digital copy of passport page in JPEG format
Personal photo
A recent photo taken within the last 6 months, containing no frames or borders, 3.5 x 4.5cm in size
Payment
A credit or debit card to pay the visa application fee
Medical insurance
Medical coverage during the entire stay in Russia
The following documents are required for Russia sticker visa:
Passport
Valid for at least 6 months from the visa expiry date, with 2 blank pages for official use.
Application form
Filled out online or printed out and filled out by hand
Personal Photo
A recent passport photo was taken within the last 6 months, containing no frames or borders, 3.5 x 4.5cm in size
Proof of visit
Documents confirming the purpose of the visit to Russia
Medical insurance
Medical coverage during the entire stay in Russia
Payment proof
Proof that visa application fee has been paid
Depending on your nationality and purpose for traveling to Russia, additional documents may be requested during the application process.
Russia visa application
For e-visa applications
- Apply online for Russia e-Visa
• Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation website to check if you are eligible for e-visa application
• If eligible, fill out the Russia visa application form
• Upload required documents - Pay the Russia e-Visa application fee
Pay online with credit/debit card
- Wait for Russia e-Visa decision
• If approved, receive Russia e-Visa to email
• Confirm that information is correct and matches your passport
For Sticker visa applications
- Complete the Russia visa application form
• Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to fill out the Russia visa application form online or make a printout and fill by hand
• Choose your country and language
• Copy the application ID from the upper right-hand corner
• Create a password and proceed
• Print and sign the completed visa application form
• Affix your personal photo to the application form - Schedule a Russia visa appointment
Contact your nearest Russian embassy or representation office to learn how to schedule an appointment
- Attend your scheduled Russia visa appointment
• Submit your visa application and required documents
• Pay the visa application fee
• Receive a confirmation receipt - Wait for Russia visa decision
• If approved, present confirmation receipt to retrieve visa
• Confirm that information is correct and matches your passport
Where to apply for Russia visa
Russia e-Visa applications can be submitted online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation portal. If your country is not eligible for a Russia e-Visa, you must apply for a Russia sticker visa at your nearest Russian embassy or representation office.
Russia visa processing time
The processing time for a Russian unified e-visa is 4 calendar days. The processing time for Russian sticker visas ranges between 4 to 20 business days. Please note that there might be instances when the processing times take longer.
