Common Private Visas are issued to US citizens, foreign nationals, and stateless persons traveling to the Russian Federation who have received an invitation from an official representative, or either a Russian citizen or a foreign national that has been registered as a permanent resident in the Russian Federation.
These visas may be issued for a Single or Double-entry period up to 90 days, or a 3 year Multi-Entry visa in accordance with the Simplification of Visa Formalities between the Russian Federation and the United States.
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 Private visa.
In order to apply for a 3-year multiple-entry Private 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 )
In order to obtain a 3 Year Private Visa an invitation must be issued by a Russian citizen that is registered in Russia, or by a US citizen that has residency status in Russia for a period longer than 90 days. Acceptable status may be a work permit, a multi-entry student visa, or diplomatic or official staff working in the US Consulate in the territory of the Russian Federation.
Also, Multi-Entry 3 Year Private visas for US citizens allows for a length of stay no longer than 6 months per entry, within the visa period.
Written invitation of the host can be made in Russia on a notary blank, or a notarized written invitation from Russian citizens located in the USA by providing copies of their valid Internal Russian Passport with registration, valid Russian foreign passport, and their status in the USA such as a US Passport or Green Card.
The invitation should include the information of the applicant such as: last, first and middle name, date of birth, sex, citizenship (only US citizens), passport number, visa multiplicity, purpose of travel, visa length stating the full three year period, minus one day (ex. Date of Entry 25/10/2016 until Date of Departure 24/10/2019), the applicant’s address of intended residence in Russia, and intended cities of travel. (A sample invitation for 3-Year visas may be found in Additional Requirements);
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.
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 âOn citizenship of the Russian Federationâ, 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.
Australian citizens must provide a detailed autobiography either in Russian.
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.
Single or Double-entry Private visa (Type 2 for spouses and children traveling along with Russian Citizen):
Notarized non-objection letter.
Written invitation of the host can be made in Russia on a notary blank, or a notarized written invitation from Russian citizens located in the USA by providing copies of their valid Internal Russian Passport with registration, valid Russian foreign passport, and their status in the USA such as a US Passport or Green Card.
The invitation should include the information of the applicant such as: last, first and middle name, date of birth, sex, citizenship (only US citizens), passport number, visa multiplicity, purpose of travel, visa length stating the full three year period, minus one day (ex. Date of Entry 25/10/2016 until Date of Departure 24/10/2019), the applicant’s address of intended residence in Russia, and intended cities of travel. (A sample invitation for 3-Year visas may be found in Additional Requirements);
A printed visa application filled out at visa.kdmid.ru, signed by the applicant;
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.
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:
Single or Double-entry Private visa (Type 2 for spouses and children traveling along with Russian Citizen):
Notarized non-objection letter.
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 âOn citizenship of the Russian Federationâ, 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.
Australian citizens must provide a detailed autobiography either in Russian.
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 private visa it is required that you present any of the following invitations:
Invitations issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs come in print or electronic forms. Print invitations must be presented in original. Electronic invitations may be presented as copies.
Direct invitation letters must include: full name, date of birth, citizenship, sex, passport number, address of registration, and address of actual residence of the hosting individual; full name, date of birth, citizenship, sex, passport number, multiplicity of the requested visa, purpose of travel (PRIVATE/ЧĐХТĐĐĐŻ), requested period of entry, location of intended residence of the applicant in Russia; and the cities to be visited.
Blank direct invitation can be found here.
A copy of the hostâs internal passport and its registration page is required if the invitation is notarized by a foreign (non-Russian) notary office.
If you intend to travel to Russia together with a Russian citizen who is your close relative he/she may in person submit a special application requesting a private visa for you and/or your common minor child.
Blank application can be found here.
Applying for this type requires both the applicant and the host to appear in person. The host must present a valid Russian passport and documents confirming kinship (marriage and/or birth certificate).
In addition you are required to provide documents proving kinship.
Such applications will be prioritized and processed in the most expeditious manner possible.
Please note that the information in all kinds of invitation must fully correspond to the information in the applicantâs and hostâs passports. Invitations containing errors will not be accepted.
Single and double-entry private visas are issued for up to 90 days. Private visas with âSPECIAL CASESâ purpose of travel are issued for up to 30 days.
We recommend that US citizens apply for 3-year multiple-entry private visas regardless of the type of invitation, dates, number of entries and period of stay indicated in the invitation. Such visas allow you to stay in Russia for up to 6 months per visit, the number of visits is unlimited.
When filling out the application online, please indicate a three year period of stay starting from the date of entry in your invitation. 3-year multiple private visas are issued with âPRIVATEâ purpose of travel only.
Applying for a visa to visit permanent employees of foreign diplomatic and consular missions in Russia requires invitations issued onlyby the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
When filling out the application online for a single/double-entry visa, please indicate âGUEST [employment category of the host]â purpose of visit which is indicated in your invitation.
For guests of permanent employees of U.S. diplomatic and consular missions only:
Guests of permanent employees of U.S. diplomatic and consular missions in Russia may apply for either 3-year multiple or single/double-entry private visas using direct standardized invitations (available at such missions). Notarization is not required.
When filling out the application online for a multiple visa, 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 invitation. 3-year multiple private visas are issued with âPRIVATEâ purpose of travel only.
When filling out the application online for a single/double-entry visa, please indicate âGUEST OF [employment category of the host]â purpose of visit.
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.
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:
Single or Double-entry Private visa (Type 2 for spouses and children traveling along with Russian Citizen). Address should be written following Russian standard very legibly:
Copy of round trip air tickets not required!
Notarized non-objection letter ;
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 âOn citizenship of the Russian Federationâ, 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.
Australian citizens must provide a detailed autobiography either in Russian.
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.
A written invitation from a Russian citizen located in the US, addressed to the Russian Consulate on behalf of their close relative, spouse, or minor who is a foreign citizen, that will accompany them to Russia, along with:Â
Written invitation of the host can be made in Russia on a notary blank, or a notarized written invitation from Russian citizens located in the USA by providing copies of their valid Internal Russian Passport with registration, valid Russian foreign passport, and their status in the USA such as a US Passport or Green Card.
The invitation should include the information of the applicant such as: last, first and middle name, date of birth, sex, citizenship (only US citizens), passport number, visa multiplicity, purpose of travel, visa length stating the full three year period, minus one day (ex. Date of Entry 25/10/2016 until Date of Departure 24/10/2019), the applicant’s address of intended residence in Russia, and intended cities of travel.
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.
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.
Notarized non-objection letter;
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 âOn citizenship of the Russian Federationâ, 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.
Australian citizens must provide a detailed autobiography either in Russian.
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.
A written invitation from a Russian citizen located in the US, addressed to the Russian Consulate on behalf of their close relative, spouse, or minor who is a foreign citizen, that will accompany them to Russia, along with:Â
Written invitation of the host can be made in Russia on a notary blank, or a notarized written invitation from Russian citizens located in the USA by providing copies of their valid Internal Russian Passport with registration, valid Russian foreign passport, and their status in the USA such as a US Passport or Green Card.
The invitation should include the information of the applicant such as: last, first and middle name, date of birth, sex, citizenship (only US citizens), passport number, visa multiplicity, purpose of travel, visa length stating the full three year period, minus one day (ex. Date of Entry 25/10/2016 until Date of Departure 24/10/2019), the applicant’s address of intended residence in Russia, and intended cities of travel. (A sample invitation for 3-Year visas may be found in Additional Requirements);
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.
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.
Notarized non-objection letter (if you applying on behalf of another person)
Letter from company/organization (If a company/organization representative is submitting documents on behalf of their employees) (a template may be found here);
A Sample Invitation for Private Visa Type 2 –Â here;
A Sample Invitation for 3-Year Multi-Entry Private visa –Â here;
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 âOn citizenship of the Russian Federationâ, 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.
Australian citizens must provide a detailed autobiography either in Russian.
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:Â 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.