Business Visas are issued to US citizens, foreign nationals, and stateless persons traveling to the Russian Federation with business intent such as meetings, seminars, conferences, or meeting business clients.
A Business visa is issued on the basis of the applicant having received an Original Official invitation issued by the Federal Migration Service or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Russian Federation that is made by the inviting Russian company.
These visas may be issued for a Single or Double-entry period up to 90 days, or a Multi-Entry for up to 1 years (with exceptions to countries covered by bi-lateral agreements).
In accordance with the Simplification of Visa Formalities for nationals of the Russian Federation and the United States, US citizens may apply for a 3-year multi-entry Business visa.
It is recommended that US citizens apply for a 3-year, multiple-entry Business visa regardless of the dates of entry and exit, number of entries or period of stay indicated in the invitation issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation (FMS) or the host organization.
In order to apply for a 3-year multiple-entry Business visa, please indicate the full three year period as the length of stay in the Russian Federation when filling out the visa application. (ex. Date of Entry 25/10/2016 until Date of Departure 24/10/2019-minus one day )
Be Aware! A Multi-Entry 1 Year Business visa is only good for a length of stay no longer than 90 days out of every 180.
Also, Multi-Entry 3 Year Business visas for US citizens are valid for only a 6-month stay per entry.
In order to apply for a 3-year multiple-entry Tourist visa, please indicate the full three year period as the length of stay in the Russian Federation when filling out the visa application(ex. Date of Entry 25/10/2016 until Date of Departure 24/10/2019-minus one day ).
Payments can be made at the Russian Visa Application Centre in USD by cash, by major Credit or Debit Cards or by money order to VFS Services (USA ) Inc. Personal cheques will not be accepted.
EU (European Union) Citizens are required to provide a copy of their health insurance policy card, along with their policy documents that is valid in the Russian Federation for the visa period, except for countries covered by bilateral agreements. If you are not EU citizens, then please ask visa center operators whether you require medical insurance. Your policy must include information about clinics covered in Russia.
Citizens of the Ireland and Iran are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
Citizens of the People’s Republic of China applying for a Tourist visa are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
US CITIZENS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A VISA.
NON-US CITIZENS must provide a copy of their legal status in the US:
US citizens with a second passport must apply for a visa using only their US passport; invitations must be filled out according to the US passport.
Take Note! The Russian Consulate has the right to ask for additional documentation in order to process your visa application, ask you to come in for an interview, or extend the visa processing time of your application.
Attention! If you are not a citizen of the United States, you must provide the following in addition to your documents:
In accordance with Russian law, visas cannot be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. We remind you that in accordance to Article 12 of Russian Law “On citizenship of the Russian Federation”, children born to two parents who are Russian citizens, automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In this case visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents, or obtain a Russian passport.
If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.
In order to apply for a 3-year multiple-entry Tourist visa, please indicate the full three year period as the length of stay in the Russian Federation when filling out the visa application(ex. Date of Entry 25/10/2016 until Date of Departure 24/10/2019-minus one day ).
Payments can be made at the Russian Visa Application Centre in USD by cash, by major Credit or Debit Cards or by money order to VFS Services (USA ) Inc. Personal cheques will not be accepted.
EU (European Union) Citizens are required to provide a copy of their health insurance policy card, along with their policy documents that is valid in the Russian Federation for the visa period, except for countries covered by bilateral agreements. If you are not EU citizens, then please ask visa center operators whether you require medical insurance. Your policy must include information about clinics covered in Russia.
Citizens of the Ireland and Iran are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
Citizens of the People’s Republic of China applying for a Tourist visa are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
US CITIZENS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A VISA.
NON-US CITIZENS must provide a copy of their legal status in the US:
US citizens with a second passport must apply for a visa using only their US passport; invitations must be filled out according to the US passport.
Take Note! The Russian Consulate has the right to ask for additional documentation in order to process your visa application, ask you to come in for an interview, or extend the visa processing time of your application.
Attention! If you are not a citizen of the United States, you must provide the following in addition to your documents:
In accordance with Russian law, visas cannot be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. We remind you that in accordance to Article 12 of Russian Law “On citizenship of the Russian Federation”, children born to two parents who are Russian citizens, automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In this case visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents, or obtain a Russian passport.
If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.
To apply for a tourist visa it is required that you present as invitation a tourist voucher issued by a hotel in or a tourist agency/operator registered with the Federal Tourism Agency. Such a voucher must contain: 1) confirmation number 2) reference number from the Federal Register of tour operators 3) name and address of the inviting organization. 4) Stamp and signature
Please note that the information in your tourist voucher must fully correspond to the information in the applicant’s passport. Invitation containing errors will not be accepted.
The purpose of travel is indicated on your tourist voucher.
If you travel for the general purpose of tourism please choose “COMMON TOURISM”.
If you travel to take part in a conference, exhibition, auction, or short-term medical examination/consultation please choose “AIM TOURISM” (single- or double-entry only).
If you travel for the purpose of hunting please choose “TOURISM-HUNTING” (single- or double-entry only).
Single or double-entry tourist visas are issued for up to 30 days. The dates are indicated in your voucher.
We recommend that US citizens apply for 3-year multiple-entry tourist visas regardless of the dates, number of entries and period of stay indicated in the tourist voucher.
When filling out the application online, please indicate a full three year period of stay (e.g. 15.05.2019-14.05.2022) starting from the date of entry in your tourist voucher. 3-year multiple tourist visas are issued with “COMMON TOURISM” purpose of travel only.
Payments can be made at the Russian Visa Application Centre in USD by cash, by major Credit or Debit Cards or by money order to VFS Services (USA ) Inc. Personal cheques will not be accepted.
EU (European Union) Citizens are required to provide a copy of their health insurance policy card, along with their policy documents that is valid in the Russian Federation for the visa period, except for countries covered by bilateral agreements. If you are not EU citizens, then please ask visa center operators whether you require medical insurance. Your policy must include information about clinics covered in Russia.
Citizens of the Ireland and Iran are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
Citizens of the People’s Republic of China applying for a Tourist visa are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
US CITIZENS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A VISA.
NON-US CITIZENS must provide a copy of their legal status in the US:
US citizens with a second passport must apply for a visa using only their US passport; invitations must be filled out according to the US passport.
Take Note! The Russian Consulate has the right to ask for additional documentation in order to process your visa application, ask you to come in for an interview, or extend the visa processing time of your application.
Attention! If you are not a citizen of the United States, you must provide the following in addition to your documents:
In accordance with Russian law, visas cannot be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. We remind you that in accordance to Article 12 of Russian Law “On citizenship of the Russian Federation”, children born to two parents who are Russian citizens, automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In this case visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents, or obtain a Russian passport.
If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.
In order to apply for a 3-year multiple-entry Tourist visa, please indicate the full three year period as the length of stay in the Russian Federation when filling out the visa application(ex. Date of Entry 25/10/2016 until Date of Departure 24/10/2019-minus one day ).
Payments can be made at the Russian Visa Application Centre by major Credit or Debit Cards
EU (European Union) Citizens are required to provide a copy of their health insurance policy card, along with their policy documents that is valid in the Russian Federation for the visa period, except for countries covered by bilateral agreements. If you are not EU citizens, then please ask visa center operators whether you require medical insurance. Your policy must include information about clinics covered in Russia.
Citizens of the Ireland and Iran are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
Citizens of the People’s Republic of China applying for a Tourist visa are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
US CITIZENS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A VISA.
NON-US CITIZENS must provide a copy of their legal status in the US:
US citizens with a second passport must apply for a visa using only their US passport; invitations must be filled out according to the US passport.
Take Note! The Russian Consulate has the right to ask for additional documentation in order to process your visa application, ask you to come in for an interview, or extend the visa processing time of your application.
Attention! If you are not a citizen of the United States, you must provide the following in addition to your documents:
In accordance with Russian law, visas can not be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. We remind you that in accordance to Article 12 of Russian Law “On citizenship of the Russian Federation”, children born to two parents who are Russian citizens, automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In this case visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents, or obtain a Russian passport.
If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.
In order to apply for a 3-year multiple-entry Tourist visa, please indicate the full three year period as the length of stay in the Russian Federation when filling out the visa application(ex. Date of Entry 25/10/2016 until Date of Departure 24/10/2019-minus one day ).
Payments can be made at the Russian Visa Application Centre by major Credit or Debit Cards
EU (European Union) Citizens are required to provide a copy of their health insurance policy card, along with their policy documents that is valid in the Russian Federation for the visa period, except for countries covered by bilateral agreements. If you are not EU citizens, then please ask visa center operators whether you require medical insurance. Your policy must include information about clinics covered in Russia.
Citizens of the Ireland and Iran are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
Citizens of the People’s Republic of China applying for a Tourist visa are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
US CITIZENS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A VISA.
NON-US CITIZENS must provide a copy of their legal status in the US:
US citizens with a second passport must apply for a visa using only their US passport; invitations must be filled out according to the US passport.
Take Note! The Russian Consulate has the right to ask for additional documentation in order to process your visa application, ask you to come in for an interview, or extend the visa processing time of your application.
Attention! If you are not a citizen of the United States, you must provide the following in addition to your documents:
In accordance with Russian law, visas cannot be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. We remind you that in accordance to Article 12 of Russian Law “On citizenship of the Russian Federation”, children born to two parents who are Russian citizens, automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In this case visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents, or obtain a Russian passport.
If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.
Note: The photographs submitted must meet with these specifications.
Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:
Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete.
Normal applications: 10 business days minimum.
Urgent applications: 3 business days minimum.
Important notice: Processing time is a minimum and may vary from case to case. Your visa application processing will start from the day your application was dispatched to the Consulate. Therefore please add few more days to the indicated timings, depending on whether you will apply at the Russia visa application centre in person or by post.
Travel Flex is not involved in the process of assessment of visa applications, or their grant or refusal, and shall not be liable or responsible for any delay by the Consulates or the Embassy of the Russian Federation in USA, in assessing, granting or refusing any visa application.
Important notice:
All questions in the visa application form must be answered in full, including the contact details of the applicant (full address with postal code, telephone and e-mail) and other questions that are not marked with a “*”, otherwise you will be asked to fill in these questions after arrival in the visa center.
Please note: If in your online visa application you answered “NO” to questions about previous places of work and educational institutions, you must attach a signed cover letter confirming that you did not really have previous jobs or studied in educational institutions.
Please note that if your application form requires any corrections or if you did not have a possibility to complete an online application form before visiting the Visa Application Centre, our team members will be happy to help. The cost of this service is $ 30 USD (Taxes included).
Please make sure that at the end of the electronic visa application you have chosen the visa application center that you are planning to visit. If you do not, the visa center staff may have to ask you to fill out a new visa application form.
To avoid confusion when choosing a passport category in the application, note that a diplomatic passport is issued to a civil servant who travels internationally for official state affairs. An official passport (service passport, as well as a special passport) is issued to the civil servant for travel related to work, and accompanying dependents. A tourist or ordinary passport is a document issued by the national government for the purpose of international travel, which certifies the identity and citizenship of its owner.
After completing your application form, please print it, sign it and submit it to the Russian Visa Application Center along with all supporting documents, payment and passport. Make sure that the signature on your application form is identical to the signature in your passport. We would like to assure you that we pay special attention to the processing of your personal data. By sending us your visa application, you confirm that you have accepted our Terms and Conditions.
To fill out the electronic visa application form click here.