In general, it is necessary for foreign visitors to obtain a visa before entering Russia. An exclusion is made for certain categories of citizens of the former soviet republics and a number of other countries.

    There are private, tourist, business, work, transit, humanitarian, diplomatic and service visas. Inconformity of the voyage aim maybe considered as presentation of false information on the aim of your visit, which may result in certain sanctions up to the administrative expulsion from the Russian territory.

    There are single, double and multiple entry Russian visas. Yet no “accumulating” system of obtaining Russian visas has been introduced within the legislation, as it has in Schengen countries. This means that in case you manage to show good reason, you might be granted a multiple entry visa, such reason should be presented by the receiving Russian party.

    You may obtain the visa in the Russian diplomatic and consular bodies in the country of your residence or sojournment. In the latter case the time period and lawfulness of your stay is important. As a rule such limitations are introduced on a reciprocity basis or due to security-related reasons.

    An officially executed invitation or a resolution of the Head of the Russian embassy or consulate in your country constitutes grounds for obtaining a visa for visiting Russia. Depending on the purposes of your trip the invitation may be executed by a private individual or a Russian company. It is not recommended to “buy” the invitations, even if it seems to be less expensive and quicker. Try to get the invitation directly from the person you intend to visit; otherwise the migration service may terminate your voyage before it has even started by virtue of the law.

    In many Russian consulates it is possible to perform visa processing through a specialized agent. Nevertheless the Consul has the right to request a personal interview. It is important that when receiving the visa you verify the accuracy of all the data contained therein: your name and surname, date of birth, passport number, and the terms of validity of the visa.

    The actions for processing a visa are as follows: filling in the visa questionnaire, presentation of the invitation, passport, 2-3 photographs, insurance certificate, certificate of HIV-infection absence (for those entering for more than three months), and payment of consular fees or actual expenses. For more information, please visit the websites of the Russian embassy or consulate where you will be obtaining your visa.