Russian visa information

• Important information

• Visa requirement details

• Fees and processing time schedules

• Information for non-Australian applicants

Important information.

Visa requirement details.

- private/guest (covers visits of the relatives or friends in Russia, or visits for urgent medical reasons, for urgent treatment, etc);
- business (covers business puposes: talks, participating in conferences, signing contracts, equipment installation and maintenance, or visits for treatment, adoption, etc.);
- humanitarian (covers sport, cultural, scientific, public, religion, charity purposes, etc.);
- study (covers long-term and short term studies and training in Russia);
- working (covers the working purposes);
- tourist;
- transit.

• Private visa

• Business visa

• Humanitarian visa

• Study visa

• Working visa

• Tourist visa

• Transit visa

Private visa.

1. Visa application form, printed out from this website only (available for download from the right menu) and completely filled out (one per person). No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with or fall within the period specified in the supporting documents. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office and after hours). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or with different pens will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

2. One photograph of 1.18 by 1.57 inches (3 by 4 cm), in color taken against a light background (white or off - white). The photo needs to display a full frontal view of the face. The facial image must be sharp and clear. Sunglasses or tinted glasses are not permitted. Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and in this case there shall be a similar photo with a head covering in the applicant's passport. The photo must be glued on the form strictly at reserved place. If photograph presented does not meet the requirements an application will be considered incomplete.

3. Valid international passport or another ID recognized as such in the Russian Federation with at least 2 blank pages for visas. The passport should be submitted in original only and should be valid for at least six months after visa's expiration date stated in the invitation.

4. Children under -18, traveling alone or whose visa applications are unaccompanied with their parents’ are required to submit following additional documents: signed and dated permission letter from one of the parents, giving permission to the child to travel alone or explaining that the parent would be traveling with the child along with the dates of travel; a copy of the parent’s passport (first page and page with Russian visa); if the child’s and parent’s surname do not match, we would also require a copy of the birth certificate to confirm that the permission letter has been provided by the biological parent.

5. Document proving the purpose of the visit: letter of invitation (copy of high quality or original) issued by an appropriate Russian Federal Migration Service branch or regional office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation only.

6. In case of a visit to the Russian Federation for urgent medical reasons, for urgent treatment, or to visit a seriously ill or a deceased relative, an applicant should present a certificate issued by a medical institution or a death certificate and a document proving the kindred between the applicant and the ill or deceased relative. Passport's validity of the applicant should exceed the visa expiry date. Documents proving the family relations are copies of the certificates issued by registrar offices. In case the applicant is a grandparent or a grandchild he should submit a copy of the certificates issued by registrar offices proving their next of kin. In this case a visa can be issued for 10 days only.

7. Consular fee. Visa processing fees and time you can find in the "Fees and processing time schedules" section of the website. We accept cash, money orders, credit/savings cards and bank cheques payable to the Consulate General of Russia. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a money order or bank cheque. Please be advised that payments made with personal/company cheques or payable not to the Consulate General of Russia will not be accepted. Accepted visa processing fees received from the applicant are not subject for reimbursement in any circumstances.

8. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a self-addressed courier airbill (prepaid or with a company or your personal account number) or a self-addressed envelope. Please ensure that you note the tracking number so that you may monitor the return of your documents. We strongly recommend that you choose a delivery service that enables you to track the arrival of your package, such as Express Post, Registered Post, DHL, UPS, etc. Please be advised that if an applicant haven't enclosed an envelope or airbill the passport with visa won't be sent back and will be left for collection at our Office. If an applicant haven't filled out his address on an envelope or airbill the address will be filled out by the consular officer in accordance with the information in the question 17 (permanent address) of the application form. In both cases the Consulate General does not bear any responsibility for the delay in your passport's dispatch or loss.

Business visa.

1. Visa application form, printed out from this website only (available for download from the right menu) and completely filled out (one per person). No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with or fall within the period specified in the supporting documents. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office and after hours). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or with different pens will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

2. One photograph of 1.18 by 1.57 inches (3 by 4 cm), in color taken against a light background (white or off - white). The photo needs to display a full frontal view of the face. The facial image must be sharp and clear. Sunglasses or tinted glasses are not permitted. Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and in this case there shall be a similar photo with a head covering in the applicant's passport. The photo must be glued on the form strictly at reserved place. If photograph presented does not meet the requirements an application will be considered incomplete.

3. Valid international passport or another ID recognized as such in the Russian Federation with at least 2 blank pages for visas. The passport should be submitted in original only and should be valid for at least six months after visa's expiration date stated in the invitation.

4. Children under -18, traveling alone or whose visa applications are unaccompanied with their parents’ are required to submit following additional documents: signed and dated permission letter from one of the parents, giving permission to the child to travel alone or explaining that the parent would be traveling with the child along with the dates of travel; a copy of the parent’s passport (first page and page with Russian visa); if the child’s and parent’s surname do not match, we would also require a copy of the birth certificate to confirm that the permission letter has been provided by the biological parent.

5. Document proving the purpose of the visit: letter of invitation issued by an appropriate Russian Federal Migration Service branch or Regional Offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation only. For a single or double-entry business visa applicant should submit a copy of high quality or original letter of invitation. For a multiple-entry visa you are required to submit the original invitation only. If applying for a multiple-entry or double-entry visa, it should be specifically mentioned in the invitation. Business visa can be also granted if the company or person inviting you will arrange with the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation an electronic invitation - telex, which has to be sent directly to the Consulate General in Sydney. In this case, please, check with us that your electronic invitation from the Russian Foreign Ministry has arrived prior to sending your documents.

6. Consular fee. Visa processing fees and time you can find in the "Fees and processing time schedules" section of the website. We accept cash, money orders, credit/savings cards and bank cheques payable to the Consulate General of Russia. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a money order or bank cheque. Please be advised that payments made with personal/company cheques or payable not to the Consulate General of Russia will not be accepted. Accepted visa processing fees received from the applicant are not subject for reimbursement in any circumstances.

7. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a self-addressed courier airbill (prepaid or with a company or your personal account number) or a self-addressed envelope. Please ensure that you note the tracking number so that you may monitor the return of your documents. We strongly recommend that you choose a delivery service that enables you to track the arrival of your package, such as Express Post, Registered Post, DHL, UPS, etc. Please be advised that if an applicant haven't enclosed an envelope or airbill the passport with visa won't be sent back and will be left for collection at our Office. If an applicant haven't filled out his address on an envelope or airbill the address will be filled out by the consular officer in accordance with the information in the question 17 (permanent address) of the application form. In both cases the Consulate General does not bear any responsibility for the delay in your passport's dispatch or loss.

Humanitarian visa.

1. Visa application form, printed out from this website only (available for download from the right menu) and completely filled out (one per person). No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with or fall within the period specified in the supporting documents. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office and after hours). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or with different pens will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

2. One photograph of 1.18 by 1.57 inches (3 by 4 cm), in color taken against a light background (white or off - white). The photo needs to display a full frontal view of the face. The facial image must be sharp and clear. Sunglasses or tinted glasses are not permitted. Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and in this case there shall be a similar photo with a head covering in the applicant's passport. The photo must be glued on the form strictly at reserved place. If photograph presented does not meet the requirements an application will be considered incomplete.

3. Valid international passport or another ID recognized as such in the Russian Federation with at least 2 blank pages for visas. The passport should be submitted in original only and should be valid for at least six months after visa's expiration date stated in the invitation.

4. Children under -18, traveling alone or whose visa applications are unaccompanied with their parents’ are required to submit following additional documents: signed and dated permission letter from one of the parents, giving permission to the child to travel alone or explaining that the parent would be traveling with the child along with the dates of travel; a copy of the parent’s passport (first page and page with Russian visa); if the child’s and parent’s surname do not match, we would also require a copy of the birth certificate to confirm that the permission letter has been provided by the biological parent.

5. Document proving the purpose of the visit: letter of invitation issued by an appropriate Russian Federal Migration Service branch or Regional Offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation only. For a single or double-entry humanitarian visa applicant should submit a copy of high quality or original letter of invitation. For a multiple-entry visa you are required to submit the original invitation only. If applying for a multiple-entry or double-entry visa, it should be specifically mentioned in the invitation. Humanitarian visa can be also granted if the organisation or person inviting you will arrange with the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation an electronic invitation - telex, which has to be sent directly to the Consulate General in Sydney. In this case, please, check with us that your electronic invitation from the Russian Foreign Ministry has arrived prior to sending your documents.

6. Consular fee. Visa processing fees and time you can find in the "Fees and processing time schedules" section of the website. We accept cash, money orders, credit/savings cards and bank cheques payable to the Consulate General of Russia. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a money order or bank cheque. Please be advised that payments made with personal/company cheques or payable not to the Consulate General of Russia will not be accepted. Accepted visa processing fees received from the applicant are not subject for reimbursement in any circumstances.

7. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a self-addressed courier airbill (prepaid or with a company or your personal account number) or a self-addressed envelope. Please ensure that you note the tracking number so that you may monitor the return of your documents. We strongly recommend that you choose a delivery service that enables you to track the arrival of your package, such as Express Post, Registered Post, DHL, UPS, etc. Please be advised that if an applicant haven't enclosed an envelope or airbill the passport with visa won't be sent back and will be left for collection at our Office. If an applicant haven't filled out his address on an envelope or airbill the address will be filled out by the consular officer in accordance with the information in the question 17 (permanent address) of the application form. In both cases the Consulate General does not bear any responsibility for the delay in your passport's dispatch or loss.

Study visa.

1. Visa application form, printed out from this website only (available for download from the right menu) and completely filled out (one per person). No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with or fall within the period specified in the supporting documents. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office and after hours). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or with different pens will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

2. One photograph of 1.18 by 1.57 inches (3 by 4 cm), in color taken against a light background (white or off - white). The photo needs to display a full frontal view of the face. The facial image must be sharp and clear. Sunglasses or tinted glasses are not permitted. Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and in this case there shall be a similar photo with a head covering in the applicant's passport. The photo must be glued on the form strictly at reserved place. If photograph presented does not meet the requirements an application will be considered incomplete.

3. Valid international passport or another ID recognized as such in the Russian Federation with at least 2 blank pages for visas. The passport should be submitted in original only and should be valid for at least six months after visa's expiration date stated in the invitation.

4. Document proving the purpose of the visit: original letter of invitation issued by an appropriate Russian Federal Migration Service branch or regional office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation only. The copies of the invitations are not accepted.

5. Your current diploma or educational certificate, certified by the State or Federal authorities.

6. A confirmation of the payment arrangement directly from the University, Institute or College, you are going to study at.

7. Official hospital HIV (AIDS) Test Certificate taken in last three months.

8. Consular fee. Visa processing fees and time you can find in the "Fees and processing time schedules" section of the website. We accept cash, money orders, credit/savings cards and bank cheques payable to the Consulate General of Russia. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a money order or bank cheque. Please be advised that payments made with personal/company cheques or payable not to the Consulate General of Russia will not be accepted. Accepted visa processing fees received from the applicant are not subject for reimbursement in any circumstances.

9. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a self-addressed courier airbill (prepaid or with a company or your personal account number) or a self-addressed envelope. Please ensure that you note the tracking number so that you may monitor the return of your documents. We strongly recommend that you choose a delivery service that enables you to track the arrival of your package, such as Express Post, Registered Post, DHL, UPS, etc. Please be advised that if an applicant haven't enclosed an envelope or airbill the passport with visa won't be sent back and will be left for collection at our Office. If an applicant haven't filled out his address on an envelope or airbill the address will be filled out by the consular officer in accordance with the information in the question 17 (permanent address) of the application form. In both cases the Consulate General does not bear any responsibility for the delay in your passport's dispatch or loss.

Working visa.

1. Visa application form, printed out from this website only (available for download from the right menu) and completely filled out (one per person). No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with or fall within the period specified in the supporting documents. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office and after hours). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or with different pens will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

2. One photograph of 1.18 by 1.57 inches (3 by 4 cm), in color taken against a light background (white or off - white). The photo needs to display a full frontal view of the face. The facial image must be sharp and clear. Sunglasses or tinted glasses are not permitted. Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and in this case there shall be a similar photo with a head covering in the applicant's passport. The photo must be glued on the form strictly at reserved place. If photograph presented does not meet the requirements an application will be considered incomplete.

3. Valid international passport or another ID recognized as such in the Russian Federation with at least 2 blank pages for visas. The passport should be submitted in original only and should be valid for at least 18 months after visa's expiration date stated in the invitation.

4. Document proving the purpose of the visit: original letter of invitation issued by an appropriate Russian Federal Migration Service branch or regional office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation only. The copies of the invitations are not accepted.

5. Official hospital HIV (AIDS) Test Certificate taken in last three months.

6. Consular fee. Visa processing fees and time you can find in the "Fees and processing time schedules" section of the website. We accept cash, money orders, credit/savings cards and bank cheques payable to the Consulate General of Russia. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a money order or bank cheque. Please be advised that payments made with personal/company cheques or payable not to the Consulate General of Russia will not be accepted. Accepted visa processing fees received from the applicant are not subject for reimbursement in any circumstances.

7. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a self-addressed courier airbill (prepaid or with a company or your personal account number) or a self-addressed envelope. Please ensure that you note the tracking number so that you may monitor the return of your documents. We strongly recommend that you choose a delivery service that enables you to track the arrival of your package, such as Express Post, Registered Post, DHL, UPS, etc. Please be advised that if an applicant haven't enclosed an envelope or airbill the passport with visa won't be sent back and will be left for collection at our Office. If an applicant haven't filled out his address on an envelope or airbill the address will be filled out by the consular officer in accordance with the information in the question 17 (permanent address) of the application form. In both cases the Consulate General does not bear any responsibility for the delay in your passport's dispatch or loss.

Tourist visa.

1. Visa application form, printed out from this website only (available for download from the right menu) and completely filled out (one per person). No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with or fall within the period specified in the supporting documents. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office and after hours). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or with different pens will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

2. One photograph of 1.18 by 1.57 inches (3 by 4 cm), in color taken against a light background (white or off - white). The photo needs to display a full frontal view of the face. The facial image must be sharp and clear. Sunglasses or tinted glasses are not permitted. Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and in this case there shall be a similar photo with a head covering in the applicant's passport. The photo must be glued on the form strictly at reserved place. If photograph presented does not meet the requirements an application will be considered incomplete.

3. Valid international passport or another ID recognized as such in the Russian Federation with at least 2 blank pages for visas. The passport should be submitted in original only and should be valid for at least 6 months after visa's expiration date stated in the invitation.

4. A copy of high quality or original tourist confirmation letter ("Podtverzdeniye") or letters (if your stay in Russia is arranged by 2 travel companies/hotels) issued by an authorized hosting Russian travel agency or Hotel, authorized to invite foreign citizens in the Russian Federation and registered in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The confirmation letter(s) must contain the agencys/hotels special reference number and should cover the whole period of the applicants stay in Russia. The number of confirmation letters from different travel agents/hotels per person is limited by two.

5. A copy of high quality or original tourist voucher ("Podtverzdeniye") or vouchers (if your stay in Russia is arranged by 2 travel companies/hotels) issued by an authorized hosting Russian travel agency or Hotel, authorized to invite foreign citizens in the Russian Federation and registered in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

6. Consular fee. Visa processing fees and time you can find in the "Fees and processing time schedules" section of the website. We accept cash, money orders, credit/savings cards and bank cheques payable to the Consulate General of Russia. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a money order or bank cheque. Please be advised that payments made with personal/company cheques or payable not to the Consulate General of Russia will not be accepted. Accepted visa processing fees received from the applicant are not subject for reimbursement in any circumstances.

7. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a self-addressed courier airbill (prepaid or with a company or your personal account number) or a self-addressed envelope. Please ensure that you note the tracking number so that you may monitor the return of your documents. We strongly recommend that you choose a delivery service that enables you to track the arrival of your package, such as Express Post, Registered Post, DHL, UPS, etc. Please be advised that if an applicant haven't enclosed an envelope or airbill the passport with visa won't be sent back and will be left for collection at our Office. If an applicant haven't filled out his address on an envelope or airbill the address will be filled out by the consular officer in accordance with the information in the question 17 (permanent address) of the application form. In both cases the Consulate General does not bear any responsibility for the delay in your passport's dispatch or loss.

Transit visa.

1. Visa application form, printed out from this website only (available for download from the right menu) and completely filled out (one per person). No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with or fall within the period specified in the supporting documents. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office and after hours). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or with different pens will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

2. One photograph of 1.18 by 1.57 inches (3 by 4 cm), in color taken against a light background (white or off - white). The photo needs to display a full frontal view of the face. The facial image must be sharp and clear. Sunglasses or tinted glasses are not permitted. Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and in this case there shall be a similar photo with a head covering in the applicant's passport. The photo must be glued on the form strictly at reserved place. If photograph presented does not meet the requirements an application will be considered incomplete.

3. Valid international passport or another ID recognized as such in the Russian Federation with at least 2 blank pages for visas. The passport should be submitted in original only and should be valid for at least 18 months after visa's expiration date stated in the invitation.

4. The original or a photocopy of your confirmed air, railway or other tickets to and from Russia.

5. A valid visa to enter Russian neighboring country or a visa of the country of destination or a passport of the country of destination. The aplicant's assurances of obtaining the visas of the country of destination in Russia won't be taken into consideration.

6. Consular fee. Visa processing fees and time you can find in the "Fees and processing time schedules" section of the website. We accept cash, money orders, credit/savings cards and bank cheques payable to the Consulate General of Russia. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a money order or bank cheque. Please be advised that payments made with personal/company cheques or payable not to the Consulate General of Russia will not be accepted. Accepted visa processing fees received from the applicant are not subject for reimbursement in any circumstances.

7. If the documents are submitted by post, an applicant must enclose a self-addressed courier airbill (prepaid or with a company or your personal account number) or a self-addressed envelope. Please ensure that you note the tracking number so that you may monitor the return of your documents. We strongly recommend that you choose a delivery service that enables you to track the arrival of your package, such as Express Post, Registered Post, DHL, UPS, etc. Please be advised that if an applicant haven't enclosed an envelope or airbill the passport with visa won't be sent back and will be left for collection at our Office. If an applicant haven't filled out his address on an envelope or airbill the address will be filled out by the consular officer in accordance with the information in the question 17 (permanent address) of the application form. In both cases the Consulate General does not bear any responsibility for the delay in your passport's dispatch or loss.

Fees and processing time schedules.

Information for non-Australian applicants.

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