Visa Types

Before making a Russian visa application, you are are advised to look through the full description of different Russian visas available in this section, decide which type of visa you need and act accordingly. Please, note it is possible that the type of your visa will be different from the exact purpose of your trip – for example, if you are a tourist but wish to stay in the country for more than one month, it is best to obtain a Russian business visa which will allow you to do this.

Number of entries:

1. A Single-entry visa - you can enter Russia ONCE on this visa. It’s valid for a visit to Russia with the specified dates of arrival and departure.
2. A Double-entry visa – you can enter Russia ONCE or TWICE on this visa (all arrival and departure dates must be indicated).
3. A Multiple-entry visa - you can enter Russia MANY times on this visa. It is issued only upon authorisation from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The validity period shown in a visa indicates the length of time the foreigner may spend in Russia. An original of the invitation is required.

Purpose of travel:

A Tourist Visa
1. Is the cheapest and easiest to obtain
2. Is the best visa type for short visits
3. Is issued only for tourist purposes
4. Is valid for one entry and a maximum of thirty days
5. Is issued on the basis of documents provided only by authorised Russian tourist companies
6. Is for tourists who have booked accommodation in Russia or confirmed transit information for every night of their stay in the country
7. Is non-extendible – if you wish to stay longer in Russia, you must leave the country in order to obtain a new, replacement visa.
8. Is recommended instead of a Private or Homestay Visa, which are much harder to obtain.

A Business Visa
1. Is more flexible than a tourist visa
2. Is, strictly speaking, issued for foreigners who wish to enter Russia temporarily for business purposes, (e.g. as representatives of foreign governments, members of official delegations, temporary workers, cultural or sports exchange visitors, religious workers). However, many tourists also use this type of Russian visa if they intend to stay in the country for longer than thirty days.
3. Is often the best choice for tourists who are visiting friends and don’t need a hotel, or who are looking to spend an extended period of time in Russia, especially those who want to travel independently or extensively
4. Is issued on the basis of a business invitation from a Russian company
5. Is valid for up to 12 months with either a single or double entry, or an unlimited number of entries (multiple entry)

A Private or Homestay Visa
1. Is the best bet if you have friends or relatives in Russia who plan to host you during your trip
2. Is valid for one entry only from one day to a maximum of three months (ninety days)
3. Requires the original letter of personal invitation from your Russian host, which your Russian relatives or friends have to obtain from their local Visa and Registration Department of the Ministry of the Internal Affairs (OVIR)
4. Is more flexible then a regular tourist visa since it is issued for up to 3 months, but to get it is a complex and time-consuming process - it is likely to take you from 45 days up to three or four months to complete the application form and obtain your visa.
5. Is granted solely for single trips to Russia, and only to the city where the invitation has been issued, so does not allow travel to other cities.
6. Usually the price is minimal, while the processing period is longer and more cumbersome than for a business visas, so it is recommended that you substitute this visa type with a Russian tourist visa.

A Transit Visa
1. Is obtained only when you need to travel through Russia on your way to another country without staying on Russian territory.
2. An invitation is not required.
3. A copy of the air, railway or other ticket with "OK" status and a visa to the country of destination  is required (if needed).
4. Prices for transit visas are usually low .
5. The process of obtaining this type of Russian visa is usually hassle-free.
6. Is usually issued for 3 days (72 hours) only, but the maximum period of validity is 10 days.
7. Is not obligatory if you are on a direct flight through Russian territory, or  if you are travelling with an international airline and change flights in the same airport within 24 hours.

A Student Visa
1. Is issued to students who will be enrolled on academic or language programs in Russia.
2. Is issued on the basis of an invitation or contract of study with an educational institution.
3. In addition to the invitation, a copy of your current diploma or educational certificate is required, which has been certified by the State or Federal authorities, together with confirmation of the payment arrangement directly from the University, Institute or College you will be studying at.
4. A student visa fee is about the same as for a tourist visa ($50-$150, depending on processing time)
5. Usually, this visa is valid from 3 months up to one year in the first instance, but it is extendible, depending on how long you will be studying in Russia.
6. The foreign department of the educational institute has to take care of all the formalities.

A Family Member Visa
1. Is suitable for close relatives who will be travelling with someone who already has a Russian visa.
2. Is issued on the basis of your own invitation and visa. Children up to 16 may be mentioned in your own invitation, while for elder relatives it is necessary to get a separate invitation which states that the purpose of visit is as a  “Family Member”).
3. Are given to relatives of a foreigner who has been living or staying in Russia for a long period of time on a business or work visa.
4. The period of stay in Russia on a Family Member visa can be similar or shorter (but not longer) than that for the “head of the family” (the person already in Russia), but the consulate or embassy will usually issue the visa for the same period as for the “head of the family”, whilst the consular fee is lower.

An Employment Visa
1. Is issued for foreign employees of Russian companies
2. Is valid from 3 months up to one year, with multiple entries
3. Is issued on the basis of an official Russian visa invitation
4. It is necessary to have an employment agreement, and the company must also be in possession of a license for hiring foreign employees

Other types of Russian Visa
There are other types of Russian visa for very specific cases. For example: visas for diplomats, sailors, and for humanitarian and religious purposes, etc.