Visa and E-Visa to Russia

Travelling to Russia requires a visa for most foreign nationals.

The standard documents needed for a Russian visa application include:

• Visa Application Form: Ensure all answers are correct before printing.
• Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least six more months beyond the visa expiry date and have at least two blank pages.
• Recent Passport Size Photo: Comply with the photo requirements for a Russian visa.
• Proof of Residence: If applying from a country of residence, not nationality, proof of residence for the last 90 days is required.
• Visa Support Letter / Invitation: An invitation to travel to Russia is mandatory.
• Financial Means: Bank statements from the last three months may be required to show sufficient funds for the stay.

Please note that additional documents may be required depending on the visa type and nationality of the applicant.

Electronic Visa (E-Visa) to Russia

As of August 2023, Russian Federation has introduced an e-visa system for citizens of 55 eligible countries*. The e-visa process is more streamlined and does not require an invitation or confirmation. Here are the key points:

• Application: Fill out the e-visa application form on the official Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation website.
• Processing Time: E-visas are issued within 4 calendar days, including weekends and bank holidays.
• Validity: The e-visa is valid for 60 days from the date of issue.
• Stay Duration: Allows for a stay of up to 16 days within the validity period.
• Entry Points: E-visa holders can enter through specified border crossing points.

It's important to remember that the day of arrival and the day of departure are counted as two separate days. For stays longer than the permitted period or for purposes other than tourism, private or business visits, a regular visa application is required.

* List of 55 eligible countries:

• Andorra
• Austria
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Cambodia
• China
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran, Islamic Republic of
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea, Democratic People's Republic of
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mexico
• Monaco
• Myanmar
• Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Oman
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• San Marino
• Saudi Arabia
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan, China
• Turkey
• Vatican
• Vietnam