Russia Private Visa

Provide your SIGNED passport. Your passport must be signed on the appropriate line. (For US citizens the line is located on the page following your information page). The passport must be valid with an expiration date greater than six (6) months from the date of entry for the visa you are applying for. Passport must have sufficient blank pages (at least 2 pages) for any visa stamps. These pages must say VISAS at the top of the page.  

If your passport does not meet the requirements, we can assist with renewing a US Passport or obtain a new US Passport from us prior to obtaining the visa.

(Important Note:  Keep a copy of your passport biographical information page for your records)

Please provide one clear copy of your passport's information page. 

Before you begin your Russian visa application, please have your Tourist Support Voucher ready.  If you do not know what this is, please see the section below labeled "Tourist Visa Support Voucher". 

Once you've confirmed your Russian Tourist Support Voucher continue to the Russian Consular website - Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website 

Please read this guide before completing your application - RUSSIAN APPLICATION GUIDE

You must provide 2 passport photos. These passport photos must match the requirements of a standard US passport photo. They must be taken at an official passport photo provider (pharmacy, Costco, post office) and should not be taken and printed via a home photo printer. 

US Passport Photo Requirements:

- Your head must face the camera directly with full face in view.

- You must have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.

- Taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis

- Taken in the last 6 months

- Use a plain white or off-white background

- Be sized correctly

• 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) 
• Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head

- Printed in color on matte or glossy photo quality paper

- You cannot wear glasses.

• If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with application.

- You cannot wear a hat or head covering.

• If you wear a hat or head covering for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering in your photo is part of recognized, traditional religious attire that is customarily or required to be worn continuously in public.
• If you wear a hat or head covering for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor's statement verifying the hat or head covering in your photo is used daily for medical purposes.
• Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.

- You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices.

Copy of computer generated round trip tickets or travel itinerary showing round trip travel entering Russia and exiting Russia.  Preferably, the proof of departure documents should show your departure from the United States to Russia and back.  Additionally, the Applicant's name must be on the travel document.  

A NOTARIZED letter of invitation from your host in Russia. The letter from your host must be written in Russian, and should contain the following information:
• Full name, date of birth, sex, citizenship, passport number, address of registration, and address of residence of the inviting party.
• Full name(in both Russian AND English), date of birth, sex, citizenship, passport number, and resident address of the applicant.
• Specifically request a “3 year multiple entry private visa for the period dd/mm/yyyy - dd/mm/yyyy” (ie. 15 February 2017 - 14 February 2020).
• The purpose of travel, cities to be visited, and address of stay.

All 3-year visa applicants must provide copies of the following items that apply:
•Your host’s Russian INTERNATIONAL passport information page.
•Your host’s Russian NATIONAL passport information page.
•Your host’s “registration stamp” in their national passport

Please include your APPLICATION PASSWORD in a cover letter with your application. As outlined in our RUSSIAN APPLICATION GUIDE, please set your password to your last name followed “123”.  Example: Smith123

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants who are former USSR or Russian citizens will have to provide proof that they no longer hold Russian citizenship. Please view the list below for acceptable documentation proving you no longer have Russian citizenship:

 Copy of USSR passport with a stamp stating you left for “permanent residence abroad”, dated prior to February 6, 1992;

 A copy of a “Visa to Israel” issued prior to February 6, 1992;

 A copy of a Certificate of Naturalization issued prior to 1996;

 A document confirming the renunciation of your Russian citizenship;

 A copy of the main pages of a passport of a former USSR state, issued after February 1992;

 A written statement of explanation, in the case that you have no documentation.

1. Birth Certificate - A copy of the child’s Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that neither of the parent is or was a citizen of the Russian Federation.
2. Copies of both parent’s valid passports.
3. Either the mother or the father must sign the application form.
4. Question 16 on Russian visa application: "Who will pay for your trip to and stay in Russia?" – cannot be independent. Either parent's name should be entered, whomever will provide financial support/bank statements. Bank statements with the parent's name whomever's name has been entered under question 16.
5. If the applicant is under the age of 18 (Minor) and not being accompanied by both parents, you'll need to submit a Letter of Consent.  The letter must indicate who the applicant will be traveling with, give consent for the trip from BOTH parents and signed by both parents.

PLEASE NOTE: In the event that the Russian Consulate elects to reject your application, all monies are subject to forfeit by the Consulate.