Applying for a visa to Russia may appear complicated, but RussianVisas supply the invitations and advice needed for you to easily obtain your visa to Russia.

This information is appropriate for most Russian Embassies and Consulates.

To apply for a Russian Visa you must submit the following to the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation or the Consular Section of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation:

• completed Visa Application Form95 which you can download now.

• 1 passport photograph (in some countries 3 may be required)

• the Consular fee (cash, postal order or  money order only. NO CHECKES)

• passport (must be valid for minimum of 6 months after leaving Russia)
  (some countries still accept a photocopy, check with the Embassy**)

• prepaid self-addressed envelope, using secure postal method

• and one of the following official invitations for the appropriate visa
   

  • Private invitation (Izveshenie)
    Period of validity stated by OVIR
    Issued to your friends in Russia by the OVIR. 
    This must be the original document, not a fax or photocopy.

  • Tourist invitation
    Maximum period of 28 days.
    Issued by a registered company, and consists of official confirmation and a voucher for accommodation bearing the reference number of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
    This may be faxed to you from a registered organization in Russia.
    The original documents may be required by some Embassies. 
    Hotel vouchers alone are not acceptable.

  • Business invitation
    3 month double-entry. 6 or 12 month multi-entry.
    A business or organization, registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can issue the invitation from the MofFA, with the official reference number* on it.
    Most countries require the original.

  • Transit visas
    Maximum period 72 hours.
    An invitation is not required, but a copy of the travel tickets, and a valid visa 
    (if needed) for the country of entry and exit from Russia is required. 

• Card of Insurance
  New regulations recently introduced require that citizens from either a Shengen State, Estonia, Finland or Israel must send a 'Card of Insurance' with their visa application. 

If you are a citizen of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Finland or Israel, please print out the Card of Insurance, cut out the form, complete it with the relevant details and send it along with your application. Failure to provide correct details of your insurance cover could lead to the refusal of your visa

• American Male citizens aged between 16 and 45 must also complete Visa Form95 Supplement which you can download now.