There are four steps to getting your tourist visa.
Step 1. Apply for your tourist visa invitation
Before applying for your Russian Visa you will first require a Visa Invitation (also sometimes referred to as a hotel voucher). The invitation can be faxed or emailed to you by us within 24 hours.
You will need to fax or email us a copy of your passport. We will also require the following information for each person:
- Passport number:
- Full name:
- Birth date:
- Citizenship:
- Date of issue:
- Expiry date:
- Date of Arrival in Russia:
- Date of Departure from Russia:
- Place(city) where you will apply for your visa
- Cities you will visit in Russia
- Your Fax number
We arrange the visa invitation for our guests for a charge of Rur 700 per person. People wanting an invitation who will not stay at our hotel can get an invitation quickly by going to visaable.com where they can fill in an on-line form.
Step 2. Fill in a valid visa application form
Download a visa application form from the website of your local Russian Consulate or Russian Visa Application Centre (please note that many consulates have now outsources their visa processing to a third party agent). These forms can also be obtained from specialised travel agencies.
Visa Application processes do differ from country to country. You have to apply for a visa in your country of your nationality (eg if you are Italian in Italy) unless you can provide proof of residency in the country where you are going to apply. There are also different forms for Europeans and Americans applying for visas.
Please note that application forms can change without notice so you may need to check with a travel agent or with your Russian Visa Provider.
Step 3. Decide how you would like to apply for your Visa
You can apply in person, by post or by using a travel agency.
Applying in person
It may be worth applying in person if you live in or near the city in which is situated the Visa Processing Centre but do consider 1) The visa sections are usual only open in the morning until lunch time, 2) It is unlikely that you will get your visa the same day which means you will have to visit them again to pick up your visa when it is ready.
Applying by post
If you apply by post always use recorded delivery and include a recorded delivery return envelope. It usually takes between 8-12 working days but can take longer in peak season.
Applying using a travel agent courier
This is the safest way of doing things and fees are reasonable for the time and trouble saved. There are several companies in each major city that specialise in visa applications.
- You send your documents to the Travel Agency and they go to the Consulate/Visa Processing Centre on your behalf. They pick up your visa when ready, and then return your passport (with visa) back to you.
- They can check all your documents in advance and make sure all is in order. They will contact you if anything is amiss.
- For London in the UK we highly recommend Scott'sTours
Helpful tips
- The process is stressful the first time you do it but as long as you have a valid passport, your accommodation, an invitation and a correctly filled in application form with photos and pay the fees, you will almost certainly get your visa. It is very rarely refused and it is much easier for a European to get a visa for Russian than a Russian to apply for a visa to Europe!
- If you are tight for time use the express service. If you travel a lot the express service may be essential.
- When applying for your tourist invitation, (which can be valid up to one month), you should add on a couple of days just in case you need to stay on or your flight is delayed. An expired visa can cause a lot of problems.