How to get a visa to Russia from USA

Introduction:

In some separate times, I had to apply for a visa to Russia from USA for my family and friends. The method of securing a Russian visa is highly bureaucratic, and, as a result, many businesses have taken advantage of the opportunity to do business linked to it. The method of acquiring a Russian visa is discussed in hundreds of internet posts. Still, I have not seen any that specifically describe in-depth each stage of the process or explain how to complete the process yourself without relying on outside assistance or intermediaries. For this reason, Click2visas clarifies how a US citizen can quickly and cheaply secure a visa to fly to Russia. It is important to answer a few questions before going into depth about the application for the Russia visa process to understand the procedures better. Click2visas provides more information about E-visa and Normal visa also.

How much would it Russian visa cost to travel to Russia?

Depending upon your nationality and the duration of your visit, the cost varies. To find out the cost of Russian visa for your particular nationality, please use our Click2visas widget. We also charge a Click2visas service fee.

What are visas Russia?

A Russian visa USA and an official document to enter, stay or travel through the territory of the Russian Federation by a resident of a foreign country.          

Do you need a visa Russian from the USA or Canada?

• If you are from Canada or the USA, you will need to travel obtaining a visa for Russia.
• However, people from about more countries with bilateral agreements with Russia are exempt from needing to get a Russian visa.

For Examples:

• Those holding passports from former USSR countries, such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Ukraine, etc., are permitted to enter Russian territories using their respective countries’ ordinary passports.
• Most countries in South America and Central America are excluded from the requirement of getting a Russian visa.
• Also, remember that on board big cruise ships, visitors from all over the world have the right to stay in the Russian Federation without a visa for up to 72 hours on board a ferry or within a territory specified by the group tour program. They have the freedom to leave the ship and return to board the ship only as part of and under the established program of a coordinated tourist community.

What kinds of application for Russian visa are in place?

The Russian Federation issues 7 kinds of Russian visa for US citizen, depending on the intent of entry:

Business visa:

• This form is for trips to Russia that are technical and used for commercial purposes and business purposes. The period for which the business visa is valid can be 30, 90, 180, or 365 days (even more in certain cases).
• It is a form of visa often sought by individuals who do not have a business in Russia but wish to visit the country for more than 30 days (maximum allowed by the tourist visa). Bear in mind that, in essence, business visas are not meant for such passengers, but the Russian authorities have always been allowed to do so (maybe one day it will change).

Tourist visa:

• This is the most general visa which, as the name implies, is issued for tourist stays. The standard tourist visa for Russia duration of no longer than 30 days is either single or double entry visas. You would require a letter of invitation from the Russian Licensed Tour Operator. It can be done in five minutes (below I explain how). Double-entry tourist visas are issued only if the second destination is ‘near-abroad’ (CIS, Baltic states) or those needing return transit through Russia, such as China and Mongolia, etc.
• It’s significant. In line with the streamlined visa formalities agreement signed between the Russian Federation and the United States in 2012, US citizens can, on request, receive either a 3-year multi-entry tourist visa, extending the duration of stay by 30 days. The best option is to receive from one of the providers mentioned in this article a regular letter of visa assistance (single or double entry) for 30 days, but then include a 3-year period in your Russia tourist visa application form. Your visa’s expiration date will be on the day the visa support begins, but the completion date would not be in 30 days, but in 3 years (e.g., Arrival date 25/10/2019 to Departure date 24/10/2022-minus one day).

Private visa:

• These will be made accessible to visitors of Russian citizens living within the territories of the Russian Federation. If you are living with a Russian friend or family member in a private apartment, a private visa may be processed, but the procedure is slower and more complicated:
• If your stay is for a period of 30 days, a visitor visa can be approved more quickly. Add random hotels in the invitation letter, and you can stay where you want until you have received the visa. You should send a private letter of invitation from your Russian friend or relative to process your private visa if your stay is longer than 30 days (and the cap is 90 days). It could take 2-3 weeks.

Student visa:

• It is offered to those studying in the Russian Federation.

Work visa:

• A visa that allows a person to work in Russia.

Humanitarian visa.

• Issued for cultural sharing activities, sports competitions, scientific/technological, socio-political, theological, or humanitarian missions.

Transit visa:

• Used in order to join another nation via the Russian Federation.
• This visa is not required for tourists who do not have a layover at an airport, so they do not leave the international area, or for those who do not have a layover to travel over the territory. On the Click2visas site, you can learn more about transit visas.

When am I expected to start applying to get a visa for Russia?

Up to 90 days prior to their departure date, you may apply. The Embassy advises that you apply to fix any unexpected processing issues at least 3 weeks prior to your travel date. However, it may take some time to apply Russia visa and obtain the required documents, so I suggest starting the procedure around 4 or 5 weeks in advance. Since you already have a passport and electronic copies of your papers, as I clarify in this post, it is possible to get through the process in two weeks (or three or four days if you use the expedited process).

What is a validity period of a Russia visa US citizen?

For up to 90 days, single and double-entry business visas are issued. Multiple entry visas are issued for a maximum of up to 1 year unless the international arrangement of the Russian Federation authorizes a longer period of validity. In general, multiple business visas allow you to stay for up to 90 days out of a 180-day span in the world.

How long would the normal Russian visa process take to be issued?

• The normal visa application for Russia will process a minimum of ten working days.
• Information to know: There is a minimum turnaround period, and it can differ from case to case. Processing of your visa application will begin on the day your application is submitted to the Consulate. Therefore, please add a few more days to the times indicated, depending on whether you can apply in person or by post to the Russia Visa Application Center.
• The Russia Visa Centre is not interested in the procedure of evaluating, approving, or denying visa applicants and is not accountable or liable for any delay in assessing, granting, or refusing visa applications by the Consulate or the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the USA.

What are the documents to visa requirements for US citizens to Russia?

Passport:

• Passport Over (must be the original). They’ll even ask you for a photocopy of your passport identification page at certain Visa centers.
• You must have a valid passport for at least six months after your visa expired to qualify for a visa. At least two blank pages should be open to you as well.
• You must request your original passport, which will remain in possession of the Consulate or Russian Visa Centre for a few days, in order to apply for a visa. This is because one of the pages of the passport will be added to the visa.
• You must submit a photocopy of your passport identity page as well.
• Your passport does not display any deterioration, such as being ripped, stained or broken pages on the cover. In these cases, it is best to renew a passport before applying for a visa since they are typically very stringent at the consulate and, if the passport is damaged, they will not accept the visa.

Letter of Invitation:

• Business purposes: Official invitation letter issued by the Federal Migration service of the Russian Federation. In multiple entries, A written statement from the sponsoring organization, written in Russian (in the case of 3 Year Multi-entry visas). In order to apply for a three-year multiple-entry business visa, please state the duration of stay in the Russian Federation for the whole three-year period when filling out the visa application form.
• Tourist purposes: Letter of invitation or assistance for a visa (‘Confirmation from the Russian hosting agency or hotel registered with the Russian Federal Tourism Agency’). Bear in mind that the visa application-form must be completed with the details found in your invitation letter and must specifically show the dates of your visit and the cities in which you will be staying. Because of this, if you have all the details you need for the visa application, it’s best to compile the paperwork and complete the form.

Travel Itinerary:

• Your visa must contain the dates of arrival and departure, ensuring you will be in the country for the first and last day. This means that prior to applying for your visa; you would need to know the dates of your travel.
• You should detail your itinerary until you know your entrance and departure dates and map out the locations you want to visit and the hotels or apartments where you will stay.

Photograph:

• The submitted photograph must follow these requirements.
• Please have a new picture of yourself (no more than 6 months old). The photographs need to be:
• 3.5 x 4.5cm taken against a light backdrop (white or off white) in order to separate and contrast the characteristics to the background.
• A unique share worth and with the face in view.
• Printed on standard paper for photography.
• The non-smiling whole face (without glasses, hat or cap or other head covering, unless the claimant was due to their religious belief or ethnic context those things
• Please hold the image on the visa application form.

Proof of Residence:

• Non – United nation citizens must provide a copy of their legal status in the US: Green Card or Long-term US visa, tourist visas not accepted.

Visa support letter for Tourist purposes:

• A visa support official document titled a (Confirmation of hosting a foreign tourist), issued by a hotel accommodation or a tourist agency which is registered with the Federal Agency of Tourist Operators of the Russian-Federation. (A booking hotel reservation doesn’t suffice / the visa support document may be a copy.)

Hotel Reservation:

• It seems like the guidelines still apply here since it is important to book accommodation while applying for travel to Russia visa. In Russia, this is the actual interpretation of the statute. Officials would like to know where you are in Russia, plus it’s also for your protection. For each day/night when traveling, you need to book accommodation. This is not just your promise that you will have a place to stay when you are there, but as you fill up your application, it feels comfortable, and it’s evident of documentation. If it’s a resort, a hotel, a hospital, an apartment, a hotel, or a long-lost relative, you haven’t seen it work for decades. In other words, it is evidence that when in the Russian Federation, you have a place to stay, period.

Bank Statement:

• Applicant bank statement for the last six months.

Additional documents:

• Please include a copy of your birth certificate if you apply for a minor, in which it is clear that at least one parent is not a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• Please include a photocopy of a marriage certificate while looking for a spouse;
• Please have a notarized authorization letter when applying on behalf of another person;
• If a representative of a company/organization submits documentation on behalf of its personnel, please include a letter from the company/organization.

Please be informed that two or more valid Russian visa US citizen cannot be kept concurrently by a person. In this situation, before a new visa is issued, the oldest valid (unexpired) visa must be revoked.

In compliance with Russian law, nationals of the Russian Federation shall fly to Russia on official Russian certificates only, irrespective of any other citizenship that they may have.

In compliance with Article 12 of the Russian Law on Citizenship of the Russian Federation, children born to two parents who are Russian nationals are automatically given Russian citizenship, irrespective of where they are born. Visas are not issued in this situation and they must apply for Russian citizenship or have their records written on one of their parents’ passports, or receive a Russian passport.

How to apply for Russian visa?

Applying for Russian visa is very easy to finish. Please carefully monitor the steps below:

• Choose the departure and arrival country, select the required visa type, enter your name, and click ‘CLICK TO START.’
• Verify the visa fee and terms and conditions on the next page.
• On the third page, enter your basic details in the respective field and upload the necessary documents (you can upload the documents at a later stage).
• After that, review and confirm your form’s information, then proceed with the payment. We support all types of cards for payment.
• You will receive the invoice and a confirmation mail with a link in your registered e-mail id.
• Click the link, complete the remaining form (you can also upload the document at this stage), and submit it for processing.
• Once the visa process completed, click2visas will send your visa related documents to your email.
• Based on your Consulate’s application procedure, you can submit and collect the visa application by visit or Mail. You will be notified by the Consulate about the decision made to your application.

What is the procedure to make appointment for normal Russian visa for US citizens?

• You can, by prior appointment only, send documentation to the consular establishment of the Russian Federation in the USA within your jurisdiction. Appointments must be reserved online:
• You have to arrange an appointment in advance in order to apply to the consulate. I have attempted to obtain an appointment at the consulate via this method on a few occasions, but I generally find that the calendar is entirely complete (in red), and I have not been able to request an appointment in advance.
• Notice that requests submitted by post would not be approved for processing.

Who to submit the documents for Russian visas for US citizens?

Applying in-person:

• You do not need to make an appointment ahead of time when applying in person at a Russian Visa Center. Only travel to the nearest Russian Visa Center and send them your completed paperwork.
• Payments may be made in USD by cash or by big Credit or Debit Cards at the Russian Visa Application Centre. You must either come in person or appoint a person on your behalf to send the papers, ensuring they provide a letter of attorney.

Applying via mail:

• You can also submit your application by mail if you are unable to apply in person at a Russian Visa Centre.

How to collect your passport with your Russian travel visa?

• If you apply in person, you will need to show the original receipt given to you during the submission to receive your passport with your visa. If you would like to appoint anyone on your behalf to receive the passport, they must bear the initial receipt.
• Your passport with your visa added to one of the pages is the last outcome of the entire process. Check the validity of the visa issued in order to ensure that it meets the length of stay sought, the number or entry required and that it is effective immediately after the passport has been obtained for travel purposes. Resubmission of passports for correction is only approved by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the USA on the day of passport collection.

What is Russians E-visa?

• An e-visa (or electronic visa) is an official permit provided electronically by the Consular Department of the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which requires entry in to some regions of Russia. The alternative to a paper visa is this.
• It is a visa that must be obtained a few days before landing in Russia, i.e. it is not a visa that must be requested at the Russian airport upon arrival.

What are the three major advantages for normal Russia visas and Russia e-visa?

You can obtain it electronically and conveniently from your home via the website provided by the Consular Department of the Russian Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Therefore, to carry out the process, it is not necessary to go to any consulate or Russian visa center. The paperwork needed is very minimal, with only a digital photo and a valid passport. Therefore, an invitation, hotel reservation, plane fare or other paperwork that justifies the purpose of your trip should not be given. Of note, it is mandatory to have medical travel insurance after you have received an electronic visa to enter Russia.

What types exist for E-visas?

There can only one of the following types of Russian E-visa:

• When the object of the trip is tourism, the common tourist visa.
• An ordinary business visa, if the business is the object of the journey.
• An ordinary humanitarian visa, where sporting, cultural, science or technical ties are the object of the travel.

Shall I reach the same checkpoint and exit from it?

• You can enter through one of the designated control points and leave through another authorized point with an e-visa. In the case of the Leningrad region, for example, you can enter via Pulkovo Airport and exit via Ivangorod by car (or vice versa).
• Border check points are sites that are fitted with new electronic visa control technologies. New control points would then be added over time.

What is the length of the E-visa period?

• The e-visa shall be issued for a single entry and for a period up to 30 days from the date of issue, but the maximum permissible stay in Russia shall be 8 days from the date of entry and within the period of validity of the e-visa. Even, bear in mind that the validity visas will not be extended.
• At first glance, the description above can seem a little vague, but you can see it more plainly with an example:
• First of all, it must be clear that eight days does not mean that one will remain for a complete duration of 192 hours (24 hours for eight days), because permanence in the Russian Federation often starts at midnight on the day of passport control as one crosses the border, irrespective of the actual passage time.

When is it possible to apply for an e-visa?

The electronic visa application form must be completed no earlier than 20 days prior to the scheduled date of travel and no later than 4 days prior to the planned date of entry into the Russian Federation.

How long would the Russia E-visa take to be issued?

The electronic visa shall be issued within a cumulative time of four days following the date of the submission, while it shall ordinarily be ready within two days.

Is it mandatory to use an e-visa to register in Russia?

As the maximum time of stay permitted with an electronic visa is 8 calendar days from the date of entry, it is evident that it is not appropriate to register in Russia. This is because registering in Russia is not compulsory if you spend less than seven business days in Russia, except weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) or holidays.

May I take a flight to St. Petersburg with a stopover in Moscow?

No, it is compulsory to arrive at Pulkovo airport in St. Petersburg by direct flight from your country with an e-visa (or from another country other than Russia). If you arrive in St. Petersburg with a stopover flight at Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, or Vnukovo airports in Moscow (even if you do not depart from the international area), you must apply for a conventional visa.

With an e-visa to St. Petersburg, may I visit Moscow?

Visiting Moscow is not probable. Only through the area of Leningrad can you drive.

Am I needed to stay in the hotels or apartments that I included in the application for an electronic visa?

You are not expected to change your accommodation upon your arrival in Russia. In fact, in order to obtain an electronic visa, a hotel reservation is not required. Any hotel will have you.

To travel to St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad or the Far East territories, is it compulsory to apply for an electronic visa?

• In order to access St. Petersburg and its area (Leningrad Oblast), it is not mandatory to apply for an electronic visa if you already have a regular or conventional visa on your passport.
• The validity period of a regular visa is not extended by the electronic visa.

What are the documents needed for the Russia E visa?

The following documents to Russia visa requirements for us citizens:

• Having a valid passport for at least six months from the date of the e-visa filing and free space for the stamps to be displayed at the border crossing.
• The latest digital photo that you will need to insert during the procedure. You should take one with your cell phone’s front camera, with a white light-colored wall in the background.
• Travel medical care is protected in the Russian Federation for the travel time.
• It is not mandatory to include an invitation, a hotel reservation, a plane ticket, a scanned passport, or any other document justifying the reason for the journey, nor is it necessary to fly to the Russian visa center or consulate in order to complete the procedure. You just need a computer with a link to the Internet.

Information to know: Make sure that the information is right when filling out the form and all the information in the passport suits the information used in the document. The e-visa is provided with the documents you submit during the electronic application process, but if there is information that does not fit your passport in your electronic visa application, it will deny you access to the border. Please don’t include a fake photo as well, as they’re going to search it at the border.

How to getting Russian E-visa?

 The visa to Russia application is very easy to finish. Please carefully monitor the steps below:

• Choose the departure and arrival country, select the required visa type, enter your name, and click ‘CLICK TO START.’
• Verify the visa fee and terms and conditions on the next page.
• On the third page, enter your basic details in the respective field and upload the necessary documents (you can upload the documents at a later stage).
• After that, review and confirm your form’s information, then proceed with the payment. We support all types of cards for payment.
• You will receive the invoice and a confirmation mail with a link in your registered e-mail id.
• Click the link, complete the remaining form (you can also upload the document at this stage), and submit it for processing.
• Once the evisa is approved, click2visas will send your visa to your email in PDF format.

In which cases I do not have to apply for an e-visa, and do I have to apply for a normal or conventional visa?

In the following examples, you must apply for a regular or standard visa:

• If you are denied your electronic visa
• If you have not received any notice after your e-visa request within four days,
• If you want to spend longer than eight days in Russia,
• If you would like to visit Moscow or other regions that are not part of the electronic visa process,
• If you are not a resident of any of the 53 countries that an electronic visa can be applied for,
• Suppose there is no tourism, business, or humanitarian form of visa that you choose to apply for. You must then apply for a standard paper visa if you require a job or research visa.

Conclusion:

I will keep you updated in this chapter about the visa rules for traveling to Russia. A Russian visa is an invitation to access the territory of the Russian Federation issued to a foreign resident. The people of more countries officially require a visa to enter Russia. There are two types of the Russian visa: electronic visa or regular visa. Furthermore, to fly to Russia, certain nationalities do not require a visa. So you have to choose any type of visa and enjoying the trip.