Required Documents
For Russia Visa
For e-visa applications
- Passport
- Must be machine-readable.
- Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of visa application submission.
- There should be an empty space in the passport for the purpose of stamping at the border crossing.
- Digital copy of the passport details page in JPEG format
- Digital passport-sized photo
- Should be rectangular with a 35×45 aspect ratio and have no frames or borders and have a neutral color scheme with natural skin tone, and be clear, in focus, and well-defined.
- Taken within the last 6 months and show the person in full-face view, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
- Religious headcovers are allowed but must not cover any facial features, and the face must be clearly visible from the top of the head to the chin.
- Eyeglasses are allowed, but no tinted lenses and the frames should not cover the eyes.
- The photo must have a light-colored background with no shadows and show the top of the head and the top of the shoulders.
- The head must be in the center of the photo and shown fully from the top of the hairline to the tip of the chin, with the face taking up 70% to 80% of the photo.
- It is required to have medical insurance that is valid in Russia for the entire duration of stay.
For sticker visa applications
- Passport or other identity documents
- Valid for at least 6 months from the visa’s date of expiry
- With at least two blank pages for the visa
- Passport-sized photo
- The photo required for the application must be either black and white or colored, and should have a size of 3.5 x 4.5cm. The applicant’s face should be clearly visible and headdresses and tinted glasses are generally not allowed, except for those worn for national or religious affiliations.
- Completed visa application form (filled out electronically)
- If an applicant does not have technical capabilities to complete the visa application form online, they can print out the form and fill it out by hand.
- Medical insurance that is valid for the entire duration of the stay in Russia.
- Proof of admission by a tour operator in Russia.
- Other documents that verify the purpose of travel to Russia.
Note:
There might be some instances wherein applicants will be requested to provide supplementary documents based on their individual case.
Russia Visa
Application steps
For e-visa applications
- Prepare the required documents.
- Fill out the Russia visa application form.
- You can verify your eligibility for e-visa application by visiting the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
- Fill out the Russia visa application form, if eligible.
- Submit your Russian visa application form online.
- Pay the visa application fee online.
- Once you have submitted your application, the email address that you provided will be used to send you the outcome of your application, along with comprehensive instructions on what to do next.
For paper applications
- Prepare the required documents.
- Fill out the Russia visa application form.
- Visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
- Select the country where you will apply for a Russian visa and choose the language you prefer for filling out the form.
- Enter your personal information and copy the application ID found on the upper right-hand corner of the page.
- Create a password and follow the instructions to complete the form.
- Print out the completed visa application form.
- Affix a passport-sized photo onto the application form, indicate the date, and sign the form.
- Schedule a Russian visa appointment.
- Contact the Russian embassy, consulate, or visa application center to inquire about the need to schedule an appointment for your Russian visa, as well as how to schedule one.
- Submit your Russian visa application.
- Present the completed Russia visa application form, along with the necessary supporting documents and Russia visa requirements to the appropriate Russian consulate, embassy, or VAC.
- Note: The procedures for submitting Russian visa applications may vary depending on the consulate, embassy, or VAC. To obtain the most accurate information, contact the relevant consulate, embassy, or VAC in your country of citizenship or residence.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Once the applicant has submitted all necessary documents and paid the visa fee, they will receive a receipt that indicates the date when the visa will be ready for collection. It is important to keep this receipt as it will be required when collecting the visa.
Russia Visa Fees
The cost of a Russian visa application will differ based on the applicant's nationality, and additional processing fees may apply for e-visa applications. Children under the age of six can apply for a visa free of charge. Payment for e-visa fees can be made online using debit or credit cards through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website or mobile app. It's important to note that all fees, including processing fees, are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the visa application.
Where to apply
Russian sticker visa applications can be submitted either in person or through a representative at the Russian diplomatic representations. To apply for an e-visa for Russia, applicants can use the official electronic e-visa porta. However, if their country is not eligible for an e-visa, they should contact the nearest Russian consulate or embassy to inquire about the visa application process.
Russia Visa Processing Time
A Russian unified e-visa typically takes 4 calendar days to process, although in some cases the processing time may take longer. Russian sticker visas, on the other hand, generally take 4 to 20 business days to process.
For approved visa applications:
After receiving an approved e-visa, applicants are required to print a hard copy of the visa and also save an electronic copy on a mobile device or tablet. The visa must be presented to the officer at Border Control upon arrival in Russia. It is important to carefully review the details on the visa to ensure that they match the information on the passport. If any corrections are required, the visa must be immediately returned to the Russian consulate, embassy or VAC for necessary amendments.