Russian Tourist Visa
Russian tourist visa is the cheapest and the easiest visa to get. This type of visa is ideal for a short-term trip to Russia (for up to 30 days). On average, tourist visa can be issued in 10 days and for 50–200 EUR.
Tourist visa allows you to enter the country not only for the purpose of tourism but also to participate in business negotiations or, for example, visit Russian relatives and friends. However, the official purpose of your visit should be the tourism.
There is a special type of tourist visa called «special-aim tourism». This visa is appropriate for short business trips (participation in exhibitions, auctions, negotiations and other commercial matters) as well as for medical examination and consultations.
To get a tourist visa, you will need an Invitation Letter which can be issued only by a Russian tourist company included in federal register of tour operators.
Hotel reservation confirmation is not sufficient to get a visa.
Russian tourist visa is valid for one entry, double entry and multiple entries.
Russian double-entry tourist visa can be issued for trips from Russia to some neighboring country and return back to Russia (e.g., the CIS countries, the Baltic states).
Citizens of the Schengen countries can obtain a visa in any country-member of the Schengen Area.
To receive a Russian visa in a third country, one must submit a residence or work permit in this country.
Tourist visa can be extended only in exceptional cases such as a serious illness. We strongly recommend you to keep in mind the expiry date of your visa in order to avoid problems upon departure from Russia.
Tourist Invitation consists of a Tourist Confirmation with the attached (not always) Tourist Voucher containing the information on the stay in the country (so-called tourist traffic voucher). In addition we send a sample of the filled in Consular Questionnaire.
As a rule, the Tourist Invitation can be submitted to the Consulate in copy.
Prices for Russian tourist visa invitation
| Number of entries | Visa's validity period |
Processing time in 15 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Entry | up to 30 days | 38 |
| Special-aim tourism* | up to 10 days | 40 |
| Double-Entry | up to 30 days | 45 |
| up to 90 days | 50 | |
| Multiple-Entry | up to 180 days | 80 |
- In specific cases you can order a double-entry tourist visa provided that you have a planned trip to a third country and have tickets. Please contact us for further details.
- Correction of Tourist Visa Invitation – 15 EUR.
Frequently asked questions about tourist visa
Can I use a tourist visa to travel on my own?
Tourist visa allows you to enter the country not only for the purpose of tourism but also to participate in business negotiations or visit Russian relatives and friends. However, the official purpose of your visit should be the tourism. To get a tourist visa, you will need an Invitation Letter issued by some licensed entity, including all information which can be necessary for the Consulate and proving the hotel booking. Our company can help you with getting such an Invitation Letter, and you won’t need to book a hotel to obtain it.
Should I indicate the exact dates of my trip while ordering a Visa Invitation or can I put approximate dates?
You should indicate the exact visa start and expiry dates; however, you can travel to Russia at any time within this period. We recommend you to indicate the maximum validity period for a tourist visa – 30 days. Please keep in mind that visa is valid only for the exact dates, so you can neither enter the country earlier your visa’s starting date, no overstay its validity.
Can I obtain a new visa without leaving Russia?
As a rule, you should leave Russia to get a new visa at the Russian Consulate. We recommend you to apply for a new Visa Invitation well in advance and to choose the most convenient Consulate to obtain a visa.
