Russian Tourist Visa Requirements for US Citizens:
A valid passport and visa are required to travel to Russia.
In accordance with an agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States of America, effective September 9, 2012 US citizens can receive multiple-entry business, homestay/private, humanitarian and tourist visas valid for up to 3 years and allowing a stay of up to 6 months per visit. Requests for this longer validity visa require a written letter of invitation composed by the host, and processing cannot be rushed. (See Tourist 3 Year Visa requirements).
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Passport Requirements: Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay in Russia, with at least two adjacent blank visa pages available for Russian visa stamp(s). Amendment pages in the back of the passport are not suitable for Russian visa stamps.
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Russian Visa Application Form:
For single and double entry visa requests: one original Russia visa application completed on- line, printed and signed; plus one copy.
For multiple entry requests: two original Russia visa applications completed on-line, printed and signed; plus one copy.
*Important:
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You must have the visa invitation information or obtain it from your inviting organization in order to complete the application form.
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You must save the Application ID and remember the security question in case you need to return later to make any changes or corrections to the online application. Please provide this information on your Global Service Order Form comments for us to better assist you.
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When asked to select the location where you will be applying for your visa choose “Visa Application Center ILS (city)”.
IMPORTANT:
At the end of the online Russian visa application, you will be asked to select the
visa issuing office. You must select "ILS WASHINGTON", "ILS NEW YORK", "ILS SAN
FRANCISCO", or "ILS HOUSTON" depending on what Travisa location will process your
visa. If you select the city without "ILS", the application will not be accepted.
Improperly completed Russian visa application forms will delay the processing of your visa. Please view our helpful video instruction guide to completing the online Russia application.
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Photo Requirements: One recent passport type photograph per application, in color, front view and with a plain/white background. Glasses should not be worn in the photo unless the photo in the original passport includes glasses.
OR - you can upload a passport photo to the Global Service Order Form when you place your order, instead of providing physical passport photos.
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Official Invitation from Russia: Two copies of official Tourist Voucher and Confirmation issued by a Russian hotel, travel agency or joint venture registered as a tourist company with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A copy of the Voucher and Confirmation should be carried with your passport and Russian visa.
Travisa is able to obtain the Russian Voucher and Confirmation for you. To request this service, please fill out our
Online Russia Voucher and Confirmation Request Form. You will receive a confirmation of your request and the inviting Russian Agency name and reference number for your Russian visa application. You will receive the voucher and confirmation visa support documents by email. We offer 24 hour and Same Day service.
Learn more about Russia Invitations. 5
Minors: For accompanying children the Russian visa application form can be completed and signed by a parent. In the case where a minor child's Russia visa application is being submitted separately from the parents' Russia visa applications, a photocopy of the parent's passport information page and an original signed letter from at least one parent must be included authorizing the Russian Consulate to issue the Russian visa and explaining who the minor will be traveling with to Russia. Applications submitted in New York must include a photocopy of the minor's birth certificate.
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Global Service Order Form: This is Travisa's service order form, where you will provide your contact and shipping information, choose the visa processing needed and make your payment. You must print the completed form and send it to Travisa with all other supporting documents.
Russia Visa Validity: Russian visas are issued for single, double or multiple entries. The validity and the number of entries granted on a Russian visa will be according to the dates and number of entries specified on the official invitation (hotel voucher and confirmation), at the discretion of the Russian Consulate. Russian visas can be issued for up to 3 years and allowing a stay of up to 6 months per visit as long as the required supporting letters of invitation and request are included with the application.
Russian Visa Processing Time: Regular processing time for a Russia visa application is up to 15 business days from the date that all materials including visa application and invitation are received. Rush and Emergency Russian visa service is available for additional fees. Emergency visa processing is at the discretion of the Russian Consulate on a case by case basis.
Houston: A Russian visa application can be submitted up to 30 days in advance of travel to Russia.
In order to ensure that visa applications for most embassies/consulates are submitted on the day that we receive them, they should be shipped to us via FedEx Priority Overnight (not First Overnight or Standard Overnight).
Non-refundable tickets or reservations should not be purchased until all visas and passports are secured and in your possession.