Visas for Russia

A visa for Russia is an official document that entitles entry into the territory of the Russian Federation. It is required for:

• Tourism (visiting Moscow, St. Petersburg, Baikal, etc.)
• Business trips
• Education or work
• private visits

Exemption from the visa requirement applies only to citizens of a number of countries (e.g., CIS, Israel, South Korea). The current list of visa-free countries can be found below.

The information is based on official statements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Consular Section and is current as of the publication date of the article.

We regularly observe changes in Russian visa policy, but for the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend contacting our managers.

The following documents are required to obtain a visa for the Russian Federation (the list may vary depending on the type of visa and the nationality of the applicant):

Mandatory Documents

1. A passport that meets the requirements:

• Valid for at least 6 months beyond the expiry date of the visa (1.5 years for work/study visas).
• At least 2 blank pages for the visa stamp.
• No damages, forged stamps, or corrections.

2. Completed visa application form

3. Photo 3.5×4.5 cm:

• Bright background, clear image of the face, no glasses (unless it is a medical glass).

4. Invitation to Russia (depending on the purpose of the trip):

• Tourist visa - hotel reservation or invitation from a tour operator.
• Business visa - a letter from a Russian company.
• Private visa - invitation from a Russian citizen (issued by the Ministry of the Interior).
• Study/work visa - documents from a university or an employer.

5. Payment receipt for the consular fee (depending on the type and urgency).

6. Health insurance for the stay in the Russian Federation (not required for all visas).

Additional documents (depending on the type of visa)

• For work/study visas (duration > 90 days):
  
  • HIV certificate (valid for 3 months from the date of issue).
  • Employment contract or certificate from an educational institution.
• For a business visa:
  • A letter from the inviting company stating the purpose of the trip.
  • Extract from the unified state register of legal entities (if required).
• For a transit visa:
  • Tickets to a third country or a visa of the destination country.

According to the intergovernmental agreements published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, citizens of these countries can enter Russia without a visa for a certain period (from 14 to 90 days). The conditions depend on the respective country and the purpose of the visit (tourism, business trip, private visit).

From June 30, 2025, travelers who are eligible for visa-free entry into Russia must apply for entry at least 72 hours before their planned arrival. Read more on the page RuID

1. Completely visa-free travel (up to 90 days)

Citizens of these countries can stay in the Russian Federation for up to 90 days (within 180 days each) without a visa:

• Abkhazia
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belarus (unlimited stay)
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Moldova
• South Ossetia
• Tajikistan
• Uzbekistan

Note: A visa is still required for work or study.

2. No visa required for 30-60 days

Citizens of these countries can visit Russia without a visa for 30-60 days:

• Israel (up to 90 days)
• South Korea (up to 60 days)
• Serbia (up to 30 days)
• Thailand (up to 30 days)
• Montenegro (up to 30 days, resumption of visa-free status in summer 2024)
• Macedonia (up to 30 days)
• Cuba (up to 90 days)
• Venezuela (up to 90 days)

3. Visa-free access for holders of diplomatic passports

• China (up to 30 days, only diplomatic and service passports)
• India (up to 90 days, only diplomatic passports)

4. Visa-free access for cruise tourists

Citizens of all countries can stay for up to 72 hours without a visa if they arrive on a cruise ship and stay in a port city (St. Petersburg, Sochi, Vladivostok).

Depending on the purpose of your trip, you decide which visa for Russia is right for you as an applicant and which documents you need to carry in addition to your passport. For example, different requirements apply to students than to businessmen or people visiting relatives or friends in the Russian Federation. You can get the necessary information about the differences at the embassy. Or you can contact us directly. We will answer all your questions about the application process or make the entire visa process simple and convenient for you. We are happy to help you choose the right visa and obtain the necessary documents. As part of our visa service, we handle the administrative formalities at the consulate or embassy and support you at all stages of the visa application. We also offer you the opportunity to obtain the invitation letter required for entry into Russia on your behalf. The necessary health insurance and confirmation of readiness to return can also be ordered as an additional service in the Visa Comfort Service package.

This offers our customers the following benefits:

• Free consultation for applicants
• Information about the current visa regulations in Russia
• Online booking in a few minutes
• All required documents in one place (e.g., passport, insurance)
• No long trips and no waiting times at Russian consulates
• Transparent pricing: no additional consulate fees

When you access the individual visa categories online, you get information about the validity of the visa, the permissible duration of stay (days or months), and the requirements for entry into the Russian Federation.