The Russian Tourist Visa for your Holiday or Visiting a Family
If you are thinking of going to Russia on a holiday or to visit a family or friend, then applying for a Russian holiday visa can become a necessary task.
Usually, a visitor should be able to apply for the required Russian tourist 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 Tourist Visa
It is advisable to check the Russian tourist visa requirements, before applying for your tourist visa to Russia.
A brief list of the most important requirements and conditions when getting the tourist visa for Russia:
- You do not plan to conduct voluntary job that may otherwise be carried out by a paid staff in Russia.
- You do not plan to enter into an employment relationship in Russia.
- You do not intend to provide services to Russian organisations (this is permitted with a Russian work visa or business visa).
- You do not mean to supply 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 threat to the health or safety and security of residents of Russia.
- You have the ability to show that you have adequate funds to finance your visit and return from Russia.
Do you require a Russian tourist visa?
It depends on your nationality and the kind 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 make an application for a Russian tourist visa?
Any individual choosing to go on holiday to Russia can make an application for a Russian tourist visa.
There are many types of visa for Russia which you can use as a traveller to Russia. If you are not exactly sure which sort of Russian tourist visa you need to apply, please call the nearby Russian visa office to get additional information as aim of this web page is to offer you basic guide when obtaining Russian tourist visa.
What type of Russian visa do I need?
This depends upon 3 points:
- The citizenship according to your passport – If the nationality according to the passport is from a country that is on visa free travel to Russia or eligible to get a visa on arrival in Russia, then you may not need to get a Russian tourist visa before leaving from your home country. Please click on this link to check if you need a Russian visa.
- The length of your trip in Russia – If you intend to remain in Russia for a shorter period no more than ninety days, then you can request the Russian tourist visa. If you wish to stay longer, then get in touch with the closest Russian visa office to find the appropriate visa for your travel.
- The activities you want to execute in Russia – If your main purpose of taking a trip is for tourism, then you can make an application for all types of Russian tourist visas stated on this page.
General Visa Application Requirements to Apply for Russian Tourist Visa
- Visitor visa application for Russia – Completed Russian visa application form.
- Original and signed passport – The passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months prior to going into Russia and 3 months after leaving Russia. It must contain a minimum of two extra visa web pages and can not be older than ten years.
- Passport type photo – Photo needs to be no older than 6 months and must be 35 x 40mm in width.
- Previous passport – Offer a previous passport if you had any.
- Previous visas – Copies of previous Russian visas details if you had any.
- Flight tickets to Russia – Reservation of return or round trip flight tickets. In some circumstances the Russian visa office may ask for pre-paid air travel tickets to Russia.
- Travel insurance coverage – Proof of travel insurance with a minimum cover set by the Russian consular office provided with the Certificate of Insurance coverage and the table of benefits. The travel insurance coverage must cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons and the Certificate of Currency need to be issued by an insurer. If you are thinking about using your credit card travel insurance for your travel to Russia, please call Russian embassy for more details and travel insurance requirements for the Russian visa.
- Original financial institution declarations – Original financial institution statements for the last 3 months revealing adequate funds to cover your trip in Russia. If statements are printed online then it needs to be Validated (marked) by the financial institution officials.
- Hotel Reservations in Russia – Copy of confirmed hotel bookings including name of the applicant, name and address of the hotel, time-span of stay. In a lot of conditions, only bookings which are partly or completely pre-paid can be accepted.
- Employment letter – This letter must be: original and signed letter from employer written on company letter head paper, confirming your ongoing employment, the status of employment, regular monthly salary and yearly leave. Likewise, please give your 3 most recent pay slips. If you are self-employed: supply certified copies of company registration, tax return.
- For students. Please give the following:
- Proof of present student status: Certificate of Enrollment.
- Original and signed letter from university written on university letter head paper, confirming ongoing enrolment, confirming the payment of tuition fees or any type of scholarships, and confirming semester break.
- Insurance coverage from Organisation/University – Offer a letter from the University stating the purpose, duration of travel and confirmation that you are going to be covered by the insurance coverage for the entire journey along with the Certificate of Currency and summary of benefits.
Generally, visa applications for Russian visa must be submitted for an optimum of 6 months, and no later than 15 days, prior to the trip.