HELPFUL INFORMATION

CONTACT THE CONSULATE

We suggest that you contact your local Consulate, in order to get appropriate information.
Locate Russian Consulate for contact information details.

Give the following information to the Consular officer:

1. Your citizenship and place of residence;
2. Type of visa you want and the kind of Visa Invitation you have (or will have from us);
3. The deadline by which you want to get your documents and visa from the Consulate.

Ask the Consular officer:

1. How you can receive your visa from the Consulate - how many days does it take to process and what is the Consular fee (for rush procedures the Consular fee is higher).
2. What documents you are required to submit to the Consulate.
3. Aside from the documents that are always required (Consular Questionnaire, photo, etc.), some Consulates may have additional requirements (work permit, HIV certificate, a medical insurance card, etc.).
4. What documents can be copies (the Visa Invitation, medical insurance card, etc.), and which documents must be originals.
5. Is it possible to complete the procedure by mail or with the help of a courier service? If so, what is the standard way to send documents (postal address, postage class, courier service, stamped self-addressed enclosed envelope, etc.).
6. Working hours of the Consular section (which hours and days of the week the Consulate accepts documents or issues visas).
7. How to pay the Consular fee (cash, check, etc.).

This is so you can decide the best options for acquiring your visa.

RUSSIAN VISA REQUIREMENTS

In order to obtain a Russian Entry visa the following paperwork must be submitted to the Consular Department:

1. Print out the official visa application form issued by the Consular Department:

   Visa Application Form for US citizens (MS Word zip file)
   Visa Application Form for US citizens (MS Word format)
   Visa Application Form for US citizens (Adobe Acrobat format)
   Visa Application Form for non-US citizens (Acrobat Reader format)

   Don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader? Get it for free here:

2. Complete visa application form, one per person, and sign it. All entries on the form must be typed or printed in block letters in English
3. One standard passport-size picture (white background) of the applicant
4. THE ORIGINAL NATIONAL PASSPORT. It must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of departure from Russia (As from November 1, 2002, the visas are stamped into the passports. NOTE: the Russian visa stamp has the size of 2 open passport pages, so please make sure you have at least two blank pages to fit such a stamp.
5. An official invitation from an authorized organization in Russia is required by the Consulate - we shall provide that for you

These requirements apply to citizens of all countries with the exception of immigrants from Russia and the Soviet Union.

REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN CITIZENS TO ENTER RUSSIA

Tourist Travel to Russia

1. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of departure from Russia
2. Tickets and documents for return or onward travel
3. Russian visa is required
4. Vaccination is none required

Business travel to Russia

1. Passport must be Valid for at least 6 months after the date of departure from Russia
2. Tickets and documents for return or onward travel
3. Russian visa is required
4. Vaccinations is none required

REGISTRATION OF VISAS IN RUSSIA

All Russian Visas should be registered upon arrival to the Russian Federation.

According to Russian law, your Russian visa must be registered within 72 hours upon your arrival in Russia (excluding weekends and official holidays):

1. If you are staying at a hotel, the hotel will register your visa. You will be asked for your visa and passport. A small registration fee can be imposed.
2. If you are not staying at a hotel, our office in St. Petersburg can provide registration services.
   Registration is done within two working days. Registration fee - €20.
   Please contact our office to get detailed information on the registration procedure.
3. If your final destination is not St. Petersburg and you are not staying at a hotel, you will need to register your visa with a local UVIR.

Please note that not registering your Russian visa may lead to serious problems: detention by police, fines on departure, prevention from boarding the plane, etc. We strongly advise you to register your Russian visa to avoid possible unnecessary inconveniences.