Russian Visa Types
Apply for an e-visaMost foreign visitors need a visa for Russia. The type of visa you need depends on your nationality, the duration of your stay, and your reason for visiting.
Applying for the correct visa is crucial for your trip to Russia. To help you understand which Russian visa you need, this page explains the different types and their characteristics.
Russian Unified e-visa
The unified e-visa for Russia was introduced to simplify the visa application process for foreign visitors. It’s the best choice for short stays. You must be from an eligible country.
Apply for a Russian e-visa if you:
- Hold a passport from an eligible country
- Are visiting for tourism, business, or humanitarian reasons
- Will stay for no more than 16 days
This visa is easy to apply for online. Unlike traditional Russian visas, the e-visa does not require an invitation letter or appointment at the embassy. It’s the best option for short stays in Saint Petersburg, Moscow, or other popular tourist destinations.
Russia Transit Visa
Passengers can usually transit through international airports in Russia without a visa for up to 24 hours. You must have a confirmed onward ticket and remain in the international transit area.
Some airports in Russia do not have international transit areas and a visa is therefore required.
If you do need a Transit Visa, you can apply at a Russian embassy or consulate. You need to present your:
- Passport
- Onward travel ticket
- Visa for your final destination (if required)
- Passport photos
- Completed application form
Russian transit visas can be issued for up to 10 days. The period of stay is determined by Russian authorities depending on the date you travel to the onward destination.
Passengers spending a few days in Russia before flying to their final destination can instead apply for an e-visa. Fully online, it’s a convenient alternative to the transit visa for eligible travelers.
Private (Homestay) Visa
If you’re staying with friends or relatives in Russia, you can apply for a Private Visa (also known as a Homestay Visa).
A Private Visa for Russia is issued on request of a Russian citizen or foreigner holding a Russian permanent residence permit. It can take up to 3 months to process this type of visa.
The person inviting you to Russia needs to submit the following documentation:
- Russian passport of the inviting party
- Copy of the foreign visitor’s passport
- Proof of income of the inviting party
- Letter of guarantee¹
¹This letter states the family member or friend agrees to provide housing and medical assistance if required.
If this initial application by the Russian citizens is successful, you’ll receive an official invitation. Private Visas are issued for periods of stay between 30 and 90 days. They are available as single or double-entry visas.
If you’re visiting friends or family for no more than 16 days, you can apply for an e-visa instead of a Private Visa. Less documentation is required and you’ll receive the approved visa in 4 to 6 days.
Russia Work Visa
The Russia Work Visa is available to foreigners who have already secured a job in the Russian Federation. Most Russian work visas are issued for a period of 1 year, although qualified specialists may receive an initial work visa with a 3-year validity.
This type of Russia travel document allows the holder to enter and exit the country an unlimited number of times during the period of validity. You can also renew the work visa before the expiry date without leaving Russia.
To get this visa, your employer must apply for a work invitation from the Russian State Employment Service on your behalf. You then need to present several documents at a Russian embassy or consulate:
- Your passport
- Copy of the work invitation letter
- Work visa application form
- Passport-style photo
- Proof of medical insurance
With your approved visa, you only have the right to be employed by the company that applied for the Russia work visa on your behalf. If you wish to change companies, you need to leave Russia and apply for a new work visa.
Student Visa for Russia
With a Student Visa, you can live in Russia and study at a Russian university, academy, or school.
To apply, you need a letter of invitation from the educational institution you will attend. An applicant must sit entrance exams or have an interview with the university where they will potentially enroll, or be the winner of a Russian Academic Competition for International Applicants before an invitation letter can be issued.
A student visa for Russia is granted for 90 days. You may later be granted a longer-stay student visa by obtaining an invitation letter from the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation.
A student visa is essential if you want to study in Russia. Tourist visas are not suitable for attending educational institutions.
Russia Business Visa
You can travel to Russia with an e-visa if you will attend business meetings or carry out other business activities for up to 16 days.
With a Business Visa for Russia, you can travel for commercial purposes and carry out business activities for longer than with an e-visa. It differs from a Work Visa in that it does not allow you to be employed in Russia. It is ideal for travelers attending meetings, negotiations, or conferences in Russia.
Single and double-entry business visas are for stays of up to 90 days. Multiple entry business visas are for stays of 1 to 5 years.
You need an invitation letter from the organization you’ll do business with. Present this along with your other documentation at the Russian embassy or consulate in your country of residence to apply.
Russian Humanitarian Visa
This visa is for non-commercial purposes that are humanitarian in nature. This type of visa is suitable for a variety of activities, including cultural, scientific, socio-political, religious, or charitable endeavors.
You need the relevant invitation letter depending on your reason for visiting.
Single-entry and double-entry Russian Humanitarian Visas are issued for stays not exceeding 90 days. Multiple Entry Humanitarian Visas are for several short stays over 1 to 3 years.
Note that you can also get an e-visa for humanitarian visits to Russia, provided you will not stay for more than 16 days.