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Information for citizens of the EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden).
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Documents for a visa should be submitted to the Consular Section personally, through some other person or a visa or travel agency.
Visa applications cannot be accepted if a passport-holder is not present in the country where the application is submitted.
Visa processing starts only after you have submitted to the Consular section all the documents required. We do not accept any documents, which have been sent to the Consular section by fax or by post.
The following documents should be submitted in order to obtain a visa regardless of its category:
1.1. Fully completed visa application form (please download here (visa application form). An application form should be signed and dated by the Applicant personally. Please note that you are to answer ALL the questions in the visa application form in Russian, local or English in block letters. Incomplete application forms would not been accepted. Any corrections in the application forms would not been accepted. You can be asked to submit all necessary documents to substantiate information given in the application form.
1.2. Valid national passport (original only and it should have at least two blank pages). It must be valid not less than six months after the expiry date of the visa.
IMPORTANT! Any damage of any page of the Applicant’s passport (especially of the page with a photograph) will result in the rejection of a visa application.
1.3. One recent passport-sized photograph (35 x 45mm) of an Applicant, stapled to the upper right corner of an application form. The photograph must be:
a) of true likeness and not more than 6 months old; showing full face;
b) taken without headgear, head coverings and hats;
c) taken against a plain, evenly lit light background.
Photographs that do not meet these requirements won’t be accepted.
1.4. Travel insurance valid in Russia containing Applicant’s name and the period of validity.
Please note that the validity period should cover the whole planned trip to Russia. For multiple-entry visas the validity period of the insurance should cover not less than 90 days of staying in Russia during the period of first 180 days of the validity of the visa.
A one-entry and double-entry visa can’t exceed 90 days of staying in Russia. A person can apply for one-entry visas frequently, one after another, but the total period of staying in Russia can’t exceed 90 days per period of 180 days. The fee for processing an application for the citizens of the EU Member states is 35 EUR if you wish to get the visa in 4 - 10 working days. An urgent visa can be issued in 1-3 working days and charged with the fee of 70 EUR. Please, do not pay the fee until the consular officer checks all the necessary documents;
A multiple-entry visa can be issued for the period of maximum of 5 years.
Please note that:
- a person can apply for a multiple-entry visa with the term of validity of up to one year, provided that during the previous year he has obtained at least one visa, has made use of it in accordance with the laws on entry and stay in Russia and that there are reasons for requesting a multiple-entry visa;
- a person can apply for a multiple-entry visa with the term of validity of a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years, provided that during the previous two years he has made use of the one year multiple-entry visa in accordance with the laws on entry and stay in Russia and that the reasons for requesting a multiple-entry visa are still valid.
IMPORTANT! Be informed, that if you get a multiple-entry visa you can stay in Russia for not more than 90 days in the each period of 180 days. Therefore the validity period of your insurance policy should cover not less than 90 days of staying in Russia. The information about the validity period of your insurance policy should be specified in the letter from your insurance company.
A multiple-entry visa can be processed in 10 working days and charged with the fee of 35 EUR. Please, do not pay the fee until the consular officer checks all the necessary documents.
Be informed, that the consular officer determines the period of processing your visa application. The period of processing can be prolonged up to 30 working days without a notification. The Consular section reserves the right to invite applicants for an interview and ask questions about personal, financial, business or corporate-related issues, as well as about their Russian contacts, partners and relatives.
Holders of valid diplomatic passports, citizens of EU (Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Check republic, Germany, Hungary and Austria), have the right to enter the Russian Federation without visa.
2. TOURIST VISA
To apply for a tourist visa an applicant should submit to the Consular section:
2.1. Completed visa application, a national passport, one passport size photo, paid travel insurance (see points 1.1-1.4 of the General Information);
2.2. Standard tourist confirmation (visa support letter) from an authorized hosting Russian travel agency, registered by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The confirmation must contain a full name of an Applicant, the date of his birth, a passport number, the dates of entry/departure, the itinerary, the agency's reference and registration number, the official seal and the signature of an authorized person.
Hotel reservation alone is not valid for obtaining a tourist visa. The hotel should be fully prepaid for the whole period of stay in Russia before applying for visa.
2.3. Tourist voucher issued by an authorized travel agency, indicating a full name of an Applicant, the date of his birth, a passport number, the dates of entry and departure, the name of the hosting Russian tourist company and confirming the full payment for the accommodation in Russia.
Fax copies of the documents, mentioned in the points 2.2 and 2.3 can be accepted. A Consular officer has the right to ask you to provide all the visa support documents in the original including the tickets to all the places of your destination, as well as the return tickets, and to submit a receipt from your tourist company showing the exact sum of money paid for the trip and accommodation.
IMPORTANT! Tourist visa can be issued for no longer than 30 days. When entering Russia with a tourist visa, you may be asked at the border checkpoint to present also your tourist confirmation, the voucher and a return ticket with a fixed date of departure from Russia. You also may have to prove that you have sufficient funds for your travel.
The fee for processing an application for tourist visa for the citizens of EU Member states is 35 EUR for 4-10 working days. An urgent visa can be issued in 1-3 working days and charged with the fee of 70 EUR.Please, do not pay the fee until the consular officer checks all the necessary documents.
3. PRIVATE VISA
3.1. Visit to relatives or friends-citizens of the Russian Federation or non-EU countries
To apply for a private visa an applicant should submit to the Consular section:
3.1.1. Completed visa application, a national passport, one passport size photo, paid travel insurance (see points 1.1-1.4 of the General Information);
3.1.2. An official private invitation (the original only) issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation. A person or organization inviting you to visit Russia (except citizens of the EU Member states, legally residing in Russia) applies for an invitation to the Local Office of the Federal Migration Service. Then the invitation should be sent directly to an applicant.
IMPORTANT! A private visa can be issued only in accordance with the dates of entry/departure indicated in your invitation and can’t exceed 90 days of staying in Russia. The insurance policy should cover all the period of the applicant’s stay in Russia.
These rules also apply to the relatives of the Russian citizens registered at the Consular section of the Embassy.
The fee for processing an application for private visa for the citizens of EU is 35 EUR for 4-10 working days. An urgent visa can be issued as well and charged with the fee of 70 EUR for 1-3 working days.The fees for processing applications for private visas for the citizens of other countries please check in advance at the consular section.
3.2. Visit to 0 relative if he’s a citizen of the European Union
A citizen of the European Union legally residing, working or studying on the territory of the Russian Federation can invite his close relatives – spouse, children (including adopted), parents (including custodians), grandparents and grandchildren using a simplified procedure. The following documents should be submitted to the consular section:
3.2.1. Completed visa application, a national passport, one passport size photo, paid travel insurance (see points 1.1-1.4 of the General Information);
3.2.2. Written request (in original only) from the host person which should contain the following information:
- for the host person – name, surname and the address in the Russian Federation;
- for the guest person - name, surname, date of birth, gender, citizenship, passport number, aim and a period of the trip, number of entries.
3.2.3. A copy of one of the following documents, which proves, that the host person legally resides on the Russian territory: permanent or temporary residence permit, a visa for work or study with the period of the validity for more than 90 days.
3.2.4. Documents which certify kinship between host and guest persons. There can be certificates of birth, marriage, or name reverse. The documents mentioned above can be accepted only in Russian, local language or English.
IMPORTANT! Parents, grandparents, children (elder than 21) and grandchildren can get a one-entry visa for the period of not more than 90 days. The insurance policy should cover all the period of the applicant’s stay in Russia. Spouses and children (younger than 21) can get the visa with the period of the validity up to 5 years in accordance with the validity period of the permission for legal residence of the host person in Russia.
The visa issued free of charge.
3.3. Visit to 0 military or civil burial grounds
A citizen of the European Union can once a year visit a burial ground of his relatives using a simplified procedure. The following documents should be submitted to the consular section:
3.3.1. Completed visa application, a national passport, one passport size photo, paid travel insurance (see points 1.1-1.4 of the General Information);
3.3.2. An official document confirming the existence and preservation of the grave;
3.3.3.Official documents confirming family or other relationship between the applicant and the buried. There can be certificates of birth, marriage, or name reverse. The documents mentioned above can be accepted only in Russian, local language or English.
A visa to visit a burial ground can be one-entry for the period of not more than 14 days.
3.4. Visit to the Russian Federation in the case of serious illness or death of a close relative.
A foreign citizen can visit the Russian Federation in the case of serious illness or death of a close relative. The following documents should be submitted to the consular section personally by an applicant:
3.4.1. Completed visa application, a national passport, one passport size photo, paid travel insurance (see points 1.1-1.4 of the General Information);
3.4.2. An official document confirming the fact of illness or death of a close relative. It can be a telegram, confirmed by the doctor or a certificate of death (fax copy is accepted);
3.4.3. Official documents confirming family relationship between the applicant and the ill or dead person. There can be certificates of birth, marriage, or name reverse.
3.4.4. The personal statement of an applicant, containing the request to issue a visa and the address in the Russian Federation where the applicant is planning to stay.
A one-entry visa can be issued for the period of not more than 30 days. It can be processed as soon as possible and issued free of charge.
4. BUSINESS OR HUMANITARIAN VISA
A citizen of the European Union can visit the Russian Federation for business or commercial purposes or to attend a conference, exhibition, to participate in official exchange programmes organised by twin cities using a simplified procedure. The following documents should be submitted to the consular section:
4.1. Completed visa application, a national passport, one passport size photo, paid travel insurance (see points 1.1-1.4 of the General Information);
4.2. One of the documents specified below in accordance with the aim of your trip to Russia.
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4.2.1. For members of official delegations who, following an official invitation shall participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held in Russia by intergovernmental organisations:
a letter issued by a competent authority of the Member State of the EU, or by a European institution confirming that the applicant is a member of its delegation traveling to the territory of the Russian Federation (in original or well-printed coloured copy) to participate in the aforementioned events, accompanied by a copy of the official invitation from the Russian federal or local authority, intergovernmental institution.
A visa can be one-entry or multiple-entry (if a person is participating in official meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held on the territory of the Russian Federation by intergovernmental organisations on a regular basis). Please note that visas for the persons, mentioned in the paragraph 4.2.1. are free of charge.
4.2.2.For business people and representatives of business organisations:
a written request from a host legal entity or company, organisation, or an office or their branches, state and local authorities of the Russian Federation or organising committees of trade and industrial exhibitions, conferences and symposia held on the territory of the Russian Federation. The document can be submitted to the Consular section in original or well-printed coloured copy and should contain the following information:
- for the host organisation – full title, legal address of the organisation in the Russian Federation, tax registration number;
- for the guest person - name, surname, date of birth, gender, citizenship, passport number, purpose and a period of the trip, number of entries.
IMPORTANT! An invitation must be signed by an authorized person and sealed with the official seal of the organisation.
Please note that the Embassy reserves the right to check all the information contained in the invitation.
A business visa can be one-entry or multiple-entry.
4.2.3. For drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services between the territories of the Russian Federation and EU in vehicles registered in the Russian Federation or in one of the EU Member States:
A written request from the national association (union) of carriers of EU (in original only) providing for international road transportation, stating the purpose, duration and frequency of the trips and containing the following information:
- for the organisation – full title, legal address of the organisation in EU, organization number;
- for the driver - name, surname, date of birth, gender, citizenship, passport number, purpose and a period of the trip, number of entries.
IMPORTANT! An invitation must be signed by an authorized person and sealed with the official seal of the organisation.
4.2.4. For journalists (not for free-lance journalists), who are going to Russia to cover specific events, to obtain an interview in accordance with the employer’s task, etc. but not to work in Russia as an accredited journalist:
- a certificate or other document issued by a EU professional organisation proving that the person concerned is a qualified journalist (in original only);
- a written request from the applicant’s employer stating that the purpose of the journey, specified in the document, is to carry out journalistic work (in original only) and containing the following information:
- for the organisation – full title, legal address of the organisation in EU, organization number;
- for the journalist - name, surname, date of birth, gender, citizenship, passport number, purpose and a period of the trip, number of entries.
IMPORTANT! An invitation must be signed by an authorized person and sealed with the official seal of the organization.
A visa can be one-entry or multiple-entry.
4.2.5. For persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, including university and other exchange programmes:
– a written request from the host organisation to participate in those activities, specified in the request (in original or well-printed coloured copy) and containing the following information:
- for the host organisation – full title, legal address of the organisation in the Russian Federation, tax registration number;
- for the guest person - name, surname, date of birth, gender, citizenship, passport number, purpose and a period of the trip, number of entries.
IMPORTANT! An invitation must be signed by an authorized person and sealed with the official seal of the organisation.
A visa can be one-entry or multiple-entry.
Please note that the visa for a person, mentioned in the paragraph 4.2.5. is free of charge, if the purpose of the trip is definitely specified in presented documents.
4.2.6. For pupils, students, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programmes as well as other school related activities:
- a document, which proves that a person is a pupil, a student or a teacher. It can be a student card issued by the University or international student card or a letter from the person’s educational institution.
– a written request or a certificate of enrolment (in original or well-printed coloured copy) from the host university, academy, institute, college or school or certificates of the courses to be attended containing the following information:
- for the host organisation – full title, legal address of the organisation in the Russian Federation, tax registration number;
- for the guest person - name, surname, date of birth, gender, citizenship, passport number, purpose and a period of the trip, number of entries.
IMPORTANT! An invitation must be signed by an authorized person and sealed with the official seal of the organisation.
Please note that point 4.2.6 only applies to a person, who is going to Russia for a short-term study, to attend courses or for a probation period. To apply for a visa to study in Russia for more than 3 months please, see point 6.2.
A visa can be only one-entry. The visa for a person, mentioned in the paragraph 4.2.6. is free of charge.
4.2.7. For participants in international sports events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity (not for supporters or fans):
– a written request (in original or well-printed coloured copy) from the host organisation: competent authorities, national sport Federation of the Russian Federation or National Olympic Committee of the Russian Federation containing the following information:
- for the host organisation – full title, legal address of the organization in the Russian Federation, tax registration number;
- for the guest person - name, surname, date of birth, gender, citizenship, passport number, purpose and a period of the trip, number of entries.
IMPORTANT! An invitation must be signed by an authorized person and sealed with the official seal of the organisation.
A visa can be one-entry or multiple-entry. Please note, that participants in international youth sports events and persons accompanying them can get visas free of charge.
4.2.8. For participants in official exchange programmes organised by twin cities:
– a written request (in original or well-printed coloured copy) from the Head of Administration/Mayor a EU city confirming that the applicant is a member of its delegation traveling to the twin city on the territory of the Russian Federation, accompanied by a copy of the official invitation from the Head of Administration/Mayor a Russian twin city.
The visas for the persons, mentioned in the paragraph 4.2.8. are free of charge.
5. TRANSIT VISA
If a person wish to travel through a Russian territory to another country he needs a transit visa. To apply for a transit visa an applicant should submit to the Consular section:
5.1. Completed visa application, a national passport, one passport size photo, paid travel insurance (see points 1.1-1.4 of the General Information);
5.2. A valid visa for the country you intend to enter after crossing the Russian territory;
5.3. The original and a copy of your confirmed air ticket to and from Russia (not the confirmation of booking).
Please note that a transit visa is not required if you remain in the transit zone of the airport in order to catch an onward or connecting flight within 24 hours of arrival. Transit visa is normally valid for maximum of 3 days.
IMPORTANT! Consular section can issue a transit visa only in case if a person don’t have a possibility to travel directly from the country of his origin to the country of destination.
A visa can be one-entry or double-entry. The fee for processing an application for transit visa for the citizens of the EU Member states is 35 EUR if you wish to get the visa in 4 -10 running days. An urgent visa can be issued in 1-3 working days and charged with the fee of 70 EUR. Please, do not pay the fee until the consular officer checks all the necessary documents.
6. VISA FOR WORK AND FOR STUDY
To apply for a visa for work and for study in the Russian Federation an applicant should submit to the Consular section:
6.1. Completed visa application, a national passport, one passport size photo, paid travel insurance (see points 1.1-1.4 of the General Information). Please note that national passport must be valid not less than 1,5 years after the expiry date of the visa;
6.2. An official invitation for work or study (the original only) issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation. An organization inviting you to work or study in Russia applies for an invitation to the Local Office of the Federal Migration Service. Then the invitation should be sent directly to an applicant.
6.3 For a visa for a study or work visa a negative HIV-test in original is required. The test must inhold information of the patient, original signature of the doctor and stamp of the medical office. The test must not be older than 3 months.
A visa can be one-entry and can’t exceed 90 days of staying in Russia. To prolong a period of the validity of your visa a person should apply the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation. The insurance policy should cover all the period of the applicant’s stay in Russia.
7. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
7.1. Applicant who used to be a citizen of the Russian Federation and then emigrated from Russia must submit a document which confirms that they are no longer citizens of the Russian Federation (if they left Russia after the 6th of February, 1992), e.g. an official certificate, issued by the Russian Embassy that their Russian citizenship was abrogated. Otherwise the applications will not be accepted. Citizen of the Russian Federation can enter or exit Russia only with a valid Russian passport.
7.2. Citizens of former USSR republics which have bilateral visa-free agreements with the Russian Federation (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan) enter Russia with their national passports or other documents, mentioned in these agreements.
7.3. If you changed your passport and the new passport does not contain a valid Russian visa you should transfer your valid Russian visa into the new passport. To do that please apply to a consular office where you have received the visa.
7.4. Be advised that a person cannot have two valid Russian visas at a time. If you are applying for a new visa before the end of the period of the validity of a previous one your previous visa must be cancelled.
7.5. The payment does not guarantee the issuing of a visa and is not refunded. Type of a visa or dates of entry/departure as well as the date of issuing a visa cannot be changed.
7.6. Once the application is accepted, a numbered receipt indicating the pick-up date is issued. Make sure to keep it.
7.7. After the visa is received it should be checked by the Applicant (passport number, date of birth, term of validity) and, if necessary, returned to the Consular section for corrections. The Consular section assumes no responsibility for any discrepancies in visas, which have not been brought to its attention prior to the departure from the EU.
7.8. Providing false or misleading information, or failing to give relevant information in your application form, or to a consular officer, can be the reason for the application to be refused.
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