The Russian Business Visa for your Business Trip
If you are considering of going to Russia for business, then applying for a Russian business visa can become a necessary task.
Usually, a visitor can apply for the required Russian business visa online/ at the nearest Russian consulate in the country where you live, for a stay in Russia of up to 3 months.
General Visa Requirements and Validity Period of Russian Business Visa
It is advisable to check the Russian business visa requirements, before applying for your business visa to Russia.
A brief list of the most important requirements and conditions when getting the business visa for Russia:
- You do not plan to undertake unpaid job that may otherwise be done by a paid staff in Russia.
- You do not plan to join a work relationship in Russia.
- You do not mean to give services to Russian organisations (this is permitted with a Russian work visa or business visa).
- You do not plan to give or sell product or services to consumers in Russia.
- You and your family members are not in debt to the Russia Government.
- You do not present a danger to the health or safety and security of the people of Russia.
- You have the ability to show that you have adequate funds to cover your trip and return from Russia.
Do I need a Russian business visa?
It depends on your nationality and the type of travel document you are using to take a trip to Russia.Please click here to find out if you need a Russian visa.
Who exactly can request a Russian business visa?
Any individual wanting to go on vacation to Russia can apply for a Russian business visa.
There are several types of visa for Russia which you can use as a visitor to Russia. If you are uncertain which kind of Russian business visa you require to apply, please call the nearest Russian visa office to get further information as aim of this page is to give you general guide when obtaining Russian business visa.
What kind of Russian visa do I need?
This relies on three points:
- The nationality according to your passport – If the citizenship according to the passport is from a country that is on visa free travel to Russia or eligible to apply for a visa on arrival in Russia, then you may not require to get a Russian business visa before leaving from your home country. Please click here to confirm if you require a Russian visa.
- The timeframe of your trip in Russia – If you intend to stay in Russia for a much shorter duration no more than 90 days, then you can apply for the Russian business visa. If you prefer to stay longer, then get in touch with the local Russian visa office to secure the suitable visa for your trip.
- The activities you like to execute in Russia – If your sole purpose of taking a trip is for tourism, then you can apply for all types of Russian business visas discussed on this web page.
General Visa Application Requirements to Request Russian Business Visa
- Business visa application for Russia – Completed Russian visa application form.
- Original and signed passport – The passport has to be valid for a minimum of 6 months before entering Russia and 3 months after departing Russia. It should have at least two spare visa web pages and can not be older than ten years.
- Passport type photo – Photo has to be no older than 6 months and must be 35 x 40mm in width.
- Previous passport – Provide a previous passport if you had any.
- Previous visas – Copies of previous Russian visas information if you had any.
- Flight tickets to Russia – Reservation of return or round trip flight tickets. In some instances the Russian visa office may request for pre-paid air travel tickets to Russia.
- Travel insurance – Proof of travel insurance coverage with a minimum cover set by the Russian embassy provided with the Certification of Insurance and the table of benefits. The travel insurance coverage need to cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons and the Certificate of Currency need to be issued by an insurance provider. If you are thinking of using your credit card travel insurance for your travel to Russia, please call Russian embassy for more details and travel insurance policy requirements for the Russian visa.
- Original bank statements – Original financial institution statements for the last 3 months showing adequate funds to cover stay in Russia. If statements are printed online after that it needs to be Validated (stamped) by the financial institution representatives.
- Hotel Reservations in Russia – Copy of confirmed hotel bookings including name of the applicant, name and address of the hotel, length of stay. In a lot of situations, only bookings which are partially or completely pre-paid can be accepted.
- Employment letter – This letter needs to be: original and signed letter from employer written on company letter head paper, verifying your ongoing employment, the status of employment, regular monthly income and annual leave. Additionally, please supply your three newest pay slips. If you are self-employed: provide certified copies of business registration, income tax return.
- For students. Please supply the following:
- Evidence of present student status: Certificate of Enrollment.
- Original and signed letter from university written on university letter head paper, confirming on-going enrolment, confirming the payment of tuition fees or any scholarships, and confirming semester break.
- Insurance coverage from Organisation/University – Provide a letter from the University stating the purpose, period of travel and confirmation that you will be covered by the insurance for the whole trip along with the Certificate of Currency and summary of benefits.
Generally, visa applications for Russian visa need to be sent for an optimum of 6 months, and no behind 15 days, before the journey.