Do Americans need Visa to Russia? Yes!

Visa to Russia from USA

Do Americans need Visa to Russia?

Yes. A required document to enter Russia for a citizen of the USA is a visa. A visa to Russia from USA can be received in the consulates and embassies of the Russian Federation. When applying for a visa an American citizen should give in an Invitation, sent by an individual or a juridical person from Russia. The visa applicants should also fill in an application form and pay the consulate fee.

An invitation to Russia for USA citizens can be of different types depending on who issues the visa and what is the purpose of a trip.

How to Get Russian Visa from USA?

The requirements may vary depending on purposes of travel:

  • Tourist visa is intended for those who travel for tourism and wish to see sights.
  • Private visa is good for visitors who would like to meet Russian friends (however, it is recommended to apply for the tourist visa instead as it is a more easy and reliable way to take a trip to Russia).
  • Electronic visa – for example: short-term trips;
  • Business visa suits the foreign applicants who are concerned in exploring business opportunities of Russia.
  • Work visa is necessary for the citizens of foreign countries who seek to endeavour in career and professional development in Russian enterprises.

Where to apply for a Russian visa in USA ?

You can obtain a visa to Russia in any of the Consulates of the Russian Federation located in USA . See the list of Russian Consulates in USA, along with their phone numbers and location indicated on this page below.

Russian visas quick comparison

Type of Visa Duration Purpose
Tourist visa 1-30 days Sightseeing, visiting friends in Russia
Electronic visa 8 days Trips for a short period of time
Business visa 30-90 days (up to 5 years) Search of business partners, attending conferences, long trips, long-term visits of friends in Russia
Private visa 30-90 days Official visits to meet with friends in Russia (Not recommended! See why)
Work visa 1-3 years Employment in Russia or permanent residence

Russian Tourist Visa from USA

Tourist Visa – is the visa for those foreign citizens who want to visit Russia to see its cultural and historical landmarks. In order to obtain a tourist visa, the citizens of the USA need a tourist invitation to visit Russia.

A tourist invitation can be issued by a travel company which is registered in the Federal Register of the Tour Operators and has its reference number there. Such an invitation consists of two parts – a tourist voucher and a confirmation of a visit for a foreign tourist. This type of invitation to visit Russia for Americans can be made within 1 working day.

The look of a tourist invitation is not regulated by law but it must contain the name of the travel company and its reference number, passport details of the tourist, cities to be visited, the validity period of the visa, number of entries and some other information.

When issuing a tourist visa at a consulate, a foreigner may be required to demonstrate the purchase of air tickets and to confirm a booking at a hotel for the period specified in the invitation, as well as an insurance policy.

When issuing a tourist invitation a travel company will not check whether an American citizen has any unpaid penalties, expulsions or convictions during his/her previous visits. However such an investigation would be done by the consulate where a USA citizen applies for a visa. If he/she is found to have incurred any penalties during any previous visits, he/she will be refused a visa. Thus an invitation from a travel company does not guarantee you will be granted a visa.

A Tourist Visa (single and double entry) is issued for citizens of the USA for a maximum period of 30 days.
Due to the simplification of the visa regime between Russia and the United States signed on 12.09.2012, it is now also possible to issue a tourist invitation up to 3 years. If you need an invitation for a period from 31 days to 3 years please, contact us by email order@goingrus.com
Please, note that according to Russian visa policy maximum stay in Russia without leave is 90 days in 180-period days.

Get a Tourist Invitation to Russia from USA

Russian Private Visa for Americans (US citizens)

If the purpose of a citizen of the USA is to visit his/her friends or relatives, who live in the Russian Federation, he/she should apply for a Private Visa. In order to receive a Private Visa it is necessary to have a Private Invitation for citizens of the USA. Such Invitation is issued when an individual or a juridical person applies to a governmental body of the Federal Migration Service (FMS).

If a citizen of the USA is invited to the RF by an individual, this person should apply to a branch of the FMS at a place of his/her registration. If a foreign citizen is invited by a company, the application should be given in to the FMS, located in the district where such company was accredited.

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An Invitation for a Private Visa will be issued only on a special form from the FMS with an individual number. It should have all passport details of an American applicant. Information on the inviting party, terms of visa and number of entries. The issuing of this Invitation takes a certain amount of time during which all necessary investigations take place as to whether there are any previous convictions, expulsions or administrative violations of the applicant. If any such violations are found the applicant will be denied in an Invitation.

A Private Visa can be obtained even by a minor citizen of the USA. Whereas minors will be refused any other type of a visa, unless they are accompanied by their parents.

Private visa can be single or double-entry. It is issued for a maximum period of 3 months (90 days).

Get of a Private (Visitor) Invitation to Russia for Americans (US citizens)

Russian Business Visa from USA

Those citizens of the USA who are coming to the RF in order to expand their business, sign agreements, participate in auctions, etc. have to apply for a Business Visa. For this purpose they have firstly to be issued a Business Invitation for citizens of the USA.

The business visa invitation letter can be obtained by either of these ways:

Our company recommends the citizens of the EU, the United States, Japan and China to choose the invitation letter issued by an organization, because:

  1. Issuing an invitation letter is cheaper than arranging an invitation by Telex or at the FMS.
  2. It can be issued online in 5 minutes and will be sent to you by email immediately after payment.
  3. Also, it is not required to submit the original invitation to the Consulate, which saves you the money you will otherwise have to spend on postal services for sending the original invitation.
  4. A 3-year visa invitation and visa can be obtained with this type of invitation if the applicant has previously held two or more Russian business visas.

Consider taking these three simple steps:

  • Step 1:Fill out the form
  • Step 2: Pay $55 USD by credit card or via PayPal
  • Step 3: Receive your invitation on your email instantly after payment

A Letter of Invitation is a letter of a written petition to the embassy of the RF in the USA from a company accredited in the FMS. The issuing of such an invitation takes only one day.

An Invitation on the FMS Form is issued by the FMS of the RF – an authorized governmental body. For this purpose an inviting organization has to apply for invitation and give in all necessary information about the foreign citizen it invites. Such Invitation will contain all passport information of the foreign citizen, information about the company which invites him/her, the purpose of the visit, the validity of the visa and the number of entries.

Telex – is a directive to a consulate of the RF from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the RF. With this type of invitation the inviting party gives a foreign citizen a certain number which the latter should quote when applying to a consulate or an embassy of the RF.

The issuing of an Invitation on the FMS Form or by Telex takes some time as the FMS has to check if there were any legal violations by this foreign citizen during his/her previous visits. If there were any violations the invitation will not be given.

Business Visa for citizens of the USA can be issued for a period from 1 month (30 days) to 3 years. It can be single, double-entry or multi-entry.

Please, note that according to Russian visa policy maximum stay in Russia without leave is 90 days in 180-period days.

Get a Russian Business Invitation from USA on the letterhead of an accredited company

Issuing of a Business Invitation to Russia for Americans (US citizens) on the FMS form

Get a Business Invitation to Russia for Americans (US citizens) by a Telex

Work visa for Americans (US citizens)

If a citizen of the USA plans to enter Russia in order to work he/she has to apply for a Work Visa. The Invitation for such a visa should be executed by his/her company-employer. This company should also register a work-permit for this foreign citizen before issuing such invitation.

An Invitation for a Work Visa is issued on a special form of the FMS for a period of 90 days. Within this period an American citizen should enter Russia and fulfill the migration registration. After this his/her Work Visa may be extended for a period of the contract but no longer than a year.

Get Work Visa to Russia for Americans (US citizens)

Russian Electronic Visa from USA

An electronic visa (hereinafter referred to as “e-visa”) is a new type of a visa document. A visa invitation to Russia is not required for obtaining an e-visa. To obtain an e-visa to Russia use our “E-visa to Russia” service.

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An e-visa can be only single-entry. The permitted stay in Russia on an e-visa is up to 8 days from the date of entry within its validity period.

The validity period and/ or permitted stay on an e-visa cannot be extended. To obtain an e-visa a foreign citizen needs a digital passport photo and a completed application form containing full and valid data at the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

At present citizens of USA are not eligible for obtaining an e-visa to Russia. According to the Government of the Russian Federation, e-visa processing for the citizens of USA shall become available starting January 1st, 2022.

We recommend citizens of USA obtaining a common tourist visa for a stay up to 30 days.

Russian consulate in USA:

Visa to Russia (the RF) for citizens of the USA can be issued by a Russian consulate institution in the USA or any country where the citizen of the USA has a residence permit. Americans may obtain Russian visa in these Consular centers of the Russian Federation:

Russian visa for American citizens

Do Americans need a visa to visit Russia? The answer is yes, due to the existence of a visa regime between the USA and the Russian Federation.

A requirement for any type of a Russian visa (tourist, business, working and others) for a citizen of the USA is an invitation. Our company provides official issuing of invitations and assistance in visa support for citizens of the USA. Below we describe in detail how to get a Russian visa if you are a citizen of the USA.

How to get a Russian visa if you are a citizen of the USA

Step 1. Determine what type of visa you will need for your trip.

1.1. Tourist visa to Russia for Americans:

  • the purpose of your trip is to visit the Russian Federation as a tourist;
  • the actual stay on the territory of the Russian Federation will not exceed 30 days.

1.2. Business visa to Russia for Americans:

  • the purpose of your trip is business or commercial;
  • you need a visa for a long stay from 1 month to 1 year;
  • you need a multiple entry visa.

1.3. Work visa to Russia for Americans:

  • if you plan to officially work in the territory of the Russian Federation.

1.4. Private visa to Russia for Americans:

  • to visit relatives;
  • if you are planning to live in a private apartment or a house;
  • if you are planning to enter the country once and stay for up to 3 months.

Step 2. Get an invitation.

To do this, you must fill out a form and send it along with a copy of the passport of the American citizen.

The cost of tourist invitations for citizens of the USA

Tourist voucher and invitation to Russia Time Cost
For citizens of countries with low immigration risk

Get a tourist invitation

The cost of business invitations for citizens of the USA

Telex MIA URGENT Telex MIA
Single or Double entry
1 month 17-20 business days 8-9 business days
3 months 17-20 business days 8-9 business days
Multiple entry
6 months 17-20 business days 13-14 business days
1 year 17-20 business days 13-14 business days

Business visa application

Step 3. Prepare the documents.

Standard package includes:

  • passport;
  • invitation;
  • application form;
  • photo;
  • insurance.

With these documents, you have to apply to one of the consular offices of the Russian Federation in the USA:

  • Consular department of the Russian Embassy in the USA, Washington DC
    address: 2641 Tunlaw Road, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20007,
    tel.: (202) 939-8907, 939-8913, (working days 9:00 – 12:00; 14:00 – 17:30).
    opening hours: Monday – Friday 09:00 – 13:00; 14:00 – 18:00 (with the exception of the Russian state holidays);
  • Consulate General of the Russian Federation in New-York
    address: 9 East 91 Street, New York, NY 10128,
    tel.: (212) 534-3782, (212) 348-0750.
    opening hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 – 13:00; 14:00 – 18:00, Friday 9:00 – 13:00; 14:00 – 17:00;
  • Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Houston
    address: 1333 West Loop South, Ste.1300, Houston, TX 77027,
    tel.: +1(713) 213-84-84.
    opening hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 – 12:30; 14:30 – 18:00.

Foreign citizens do not have to apply directly to the consular office, instead they can use the services of one of the visa centres, which are open to improve the quality of service for the citizens of the USA, other states and stateless persons who wish to receive a visa to the Russian Federation. Detailed information on applying for a visa through the Visa Application Centre is available at ils-usa.com

In the consulate, you will be offered a choice of several rates for a visa:

  • regular (issuing time 4-20 business days);
  • urgent (1-3 business days).

A visa fee Russia will range from 90 to 540 USD, depending on the selected tariff. More accurate information on tariffs can be found on the official website of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the USA.

Step 4. Register upon arrival on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Remember, that registration is compulsory if your stay is longer than 7 working days, excluding the day of entry. Registration should be done at the place of the actual residence of the guest. If you or your guests, citizens of the USA, have any difficulties in this matter, Travelmart is ready to assist in solving the issue of migration registration.

Why do Europeans and Americans need visas to enter Russia?

While Europeans and Americans need visas to travel to Russia, most of the Latin Americans can go there without bureaucratic restrictions.

Russia is ready to shift towards a visa waiver scheme with the U.S. and awaits Washington’s response, Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov has said. “Basically, we’re ready to switch to a fully visa-free regime of mutual visits. It’s up to our American partners” Ushakov said during a press briefing.

Sounds unlikely? It’s a genuine statement – from 2012. Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister back in 2011, discussed the issue with Vice President Joe Biden. Unfortunately, there has been no progress since, relations between the U.S. and Russia have worsened and all talk of visa liberalization apparently forgotten.

The same applies to a potential visa waiver between Russia and the European Union. Back in 2014, after the Ukrainian crisis, the EU suspended all visa and economic discussion with Russia. They have not been resumed since.

Doomed long ago

“Technically and practically, we were ready to abandon visas with the EU, we fulfilled every arrangement we should have to switch to visa waiver,” Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said back in 2015.

According to Lavrov and other Russian officials, even before the conflict over Crimea neither the Europeans nor the Americans were keen to abandon visas, so Russia just reacted to it. Or, to be more precise, didn’t react and just left the things the way they were.

The dialogue between Russia and the EU on a visa-free regime became real in 2011, when the parties signed a declaration of mutual steps towards visa waiver, Elena Ivanova, Associate Professor at the International Institute of Economics and Law, wrote in an article “On the issue of a visa-free regime”. “Part 4 mentions the necessity to approve ‘anti-discriminating’ principles that include protection of minorities and fighting hate crime,” Ivanova notes.

Unfortunately, the EU considered some parts of Russia’s legal system discriminatory, experts say, and this became an insurmountable diplomatic obstacle – and since 2014 bigger contradictions have blocked the way to visa waiver.

Political difficulties

Talks about a visa-free regime for Russia and the U.S. are long forgotten as well, especially after the mutual expulsions of diplomats in 2017. Russians and Americans discussed visa waiver agreements during the Russian reset – an attempt by the Obama administration to improve bilateral relations. After the reset was over, talks on a visa-free regime stopped.

Even at the time, experts were skeptical about of the prospects of establishing a visa-free regime. “The idea of a visa-free regime, I suppose, is here just to bring something new to the agenda of Russian-American relations besides nuclear disarmament. The results are a long-term matter,” Fedor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs commented back in 2011. He also felt it would be faster to abandon visas with the European Union but, as it turns out, in both cases the deadlock, for now, is quite obvious.

Blessings

Latin American countries proved they’re better in solving visa issues with Russia – as they have no serious political contradictions. Today, all South American countries except for Surinam have visa-waiver agreements with Russia, meaning that all their citizens are free to travel to Moscow, Siberia or wherever they like in Russia.

Russian diplomats are now discussing visa liberalization with Mexico (all Central American countries are already visa-free for Russians already). “Today the issue of implementing a visa-free regime for mutual visits is especially important,” Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the State Duma, noted while meeting his Mexican colleague Edgar Romo García in June 2018. Sounds like Russia – unlike some of Mexico’s neighbors – doesn’t want to build a wall.

In addition to that, foreigners who attended the World Cup in Russia – and have Fan IDs may enjoy visa-free visits up to the end of 2018. At least that’s what President Vladimir Putin says and usually his initiatives are supported by parliament. For more on this, read our article.

This article is part of the “Why Russia…?” series in which RBTH answers popular questions about Russia.

If using any of Russia Beyond’s content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

How to get Visa to russia from USA in 2022

Is it necessary to have visa to Russia for citizens of USA?

Yes, citizens of USA have to get visa if they want to visit Russia.
Visa is a document for foreigners which allows to cross the border of Russia legally.
For getting visa to Russia you need to get an invitation for visa and health insurance. These documents must be submitted to the Russian Consulate abroad.

Information on this website is available in the following languages:
Russian, English.

For getting visa an US citizen should know:

America (the official name is the United States of America) is a state that occupies the 3rd place in the world in terms of population (more than 325 million people), 4th place in the world in terms of territory and 5th place in the world in terms of human development index. Every year, over 230 thousand citizens of this country come to Russia.

Short list of steps-to-do for an American:

  1. To have valid passport
  2. To get an invitation to Russia
  3. To get a medical insurance
  4. Fill in the form on visa.kdmid.ru and print it
  5. Paste your photo 3,5х4,5 cm in form
  6. Pay consular (visa) fee ≈ 160$ (145€)
  7. Bring or send documents to the Russian Consulate (passport, invitation, insurance, application form, receipt)
  8. Wait for 1 to 20 calendar days and get a passport with visa

In order to obtain a Russian visa, an American must apply to one of the Consulates General of the Russian Federation located in the United States of America. Before visiting the Consulate, you need to get an invitation, medical insurance for a visa and complete the online form on the website of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

There are the following types of visas and purpose of visiting Russia:

  • tourist visa for sightseeing, event tourism;
  • business visa for signing a contract, visiting an international exhibition;
  • private visa for a meeting with relatives with citizenship of the Russian Federation (tourist visa is also suitable for this);
  • work visa for work in a Russian company

Comparison of length of stay and price of visa:

Duration of stay and visa prices for US citizens
Type of visa Length of stay Full processing price
Tourist from 1 to 30 days * ≈205$
Business from 30 days to 1 year ** from 245$
Private from 30 to 90 days ≈285$
Work from 1 to 3 years from 1220$

* – for US citizens is possible to issue a tourist visa for 3 years!

* – visa can be valid up to 1 year, but it is possible to stay in Russia continuously for no more than 90 of 180 days

Cost example of visa for an German

Cost example of single tourist visa to Russia for 14 days (2 weeks) for Germany citizen:

The cost of visa is always calculated individually. Using this example, you can calculate the cost of your visa.

Invitation to Russia 15$ (≈14€)
Medical insurance ≈1,5$ per day * 14 days ≈ 17$ (≈15€)
Photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm 8$ (≈7€)
Consular fee 160$ (≈145€)
Postal services (optional) 5$ (≈4€)
Total: 205$ (≈185€)

Consular fee for tourist visa
(the main expense)

The visa fee has a fixed value and depends only on the multiplicity of the visa issued.

The size of the consular fee depends on the multiplicity of the issued visa to Russia:

Visa fee for citizens of USA in 2022 (check on the website of the Consulate)
Ordinary * Urgent **
Single 160$ (145€) 160$ (145€)
Double entry 160$ (145€) 160$ (145€)
Multi-entry 160$ (145€)***

* Normal processing time – from 4 to 20 working days

** Urgent processing time – from 1 to 3 working days

** Only normal processing time – from 4 to 20 working days

Tourist visa to Russia for US citizens

Tourist visas are intended for those Americans who are going to Russia to take a tourist trip. Before applying for a tourist visa, you need to get a tourist invitation. It can be done by contacting any company registered in the Unified Federal Register of Tour Operators.

Those companies print tourist invitations on their own forms, so their online registration doesn’t take much time (about 5 minutes). Invitations consist of two parts:

  1. Tourist voucher indicating that you have bought a tourist ticket to Russia.
  2. Confirmation of tourist admission — the Consulate is requested to issue a visa to a foreign citizen.

They indicate the reference number and name of the travel agency, the name and surname of the tourist, his passport details, the city he is going to visit, as well as the dates of the planned trip.

After receiving a tourist invitation and collecting all other documents, the American must apply to the General Consulate of the Russian Federation for a visa. After that, an inspection will be carried out and, if it turns out that during his last visit foreigner violated the terms of registration for migration registration or other rules, then a visa will be refused for him. If there are no grounds for refusing a visa, the tourist visa will be issued for the period indicated in the tourist invitation.

The maximum duration of a tourist visa is 30 days. Visas can be single or double.

A tourist visa for an American can be issued for up to 3 years!

Business visa to Russia for US citizens

US citizens who are going to come to Russia to sign or extend a contract, to service equipment purchased in the USA or to control the purchase of raw materials must apply for a business visa. To get this type of visa, they will need a business invitation. A company or organization interested in an American worker should take care of the preparation of this document and its sending to the USA.

Except of business travel, this visa is attractive for a longer (up to 90 days) continuous stay in Russia. A business visa is free of problems that private visas have have and, at the same time, it is possible to stay continuously in Russia 3 times longer than with a tourist visa.

Based on a proper manner issued invitation, a US citizen can get a business visa to Russia with a validity period up to 3 years. Visas are single, double and multiple.

Business invitation to Russia is required for receiving of business visa. There are different types of business invitations for Americans, they all have their pros and cons:

The form of Ministry of Internal Affairs

Any Russian legal entity can issue a business invitation for a foreigner on this kind of form. For this, he must submit a corresponding application to the Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. If the verification does not reveal foreigner’s violating of rules during his last visit to Russia, then an invitation will be issued for him on a letterhead with the signatures of officials and the necessary seals. Registration takes from 7 to 21 business days.

Electronic invitation from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Telex)

Electronic invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Telex) is an order transmitted from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to the Russian Embassy abroad. It contains an application for a foreigner’s visa. In case if invitation has the appearance of a Telex, the invited person must be informed of his number and which organization acts as the inviting party. In this case, no forms and documents will need to be sent to the American. Registration takes from 7 to 21 business days.

Private visa to Russia for US citizens

US citizens who want to visit their friends in Russia can apply for a private visa and they will need a guest invitation for this. A person who has reached the age of majority and has Russian citizenship may be interested in issuing such an invitation and send it to America.

To issue a guest invitation, a citizen of the Russian Federation must contact the Ministry of Internal Affairs at his place of residence, with a statement on the issue of a guest invitation for a foreigner, enclosing a copy of this foreigner’s passport and a certificate of his income and pay the state duty. It will take about 30 days to wait for a guest invitation or to refuse to issue it. During this time, a check will be conducted on the presence of fines for a foreigner accrued for violating the rules of stay in Russia during his past visits. If such fines are not found, guest invitation for a US citizen will be issued on a form protected from fakes by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Having received a guest invitation from a relative or friend, US citizen will be able to receive Russian visa with a validity period of 30 to 90 days. Private visa to Russia can be single or double.

Work visa to Russia for US citizens

For opportunity to work in Russia, American must apply for a work visa. He will be able to do this only after receiving from the employer, interested in his visit, work permit for Russia and a work invitation. To be able to prepare these papers for a foreigner, the Russian employer must first obtain permission to attract labor from abroad.

After receiving these papers, a US citizen will be able to receive a work visa at the Russian consulate with a validity period of 90 days. After entering Russia and applying for migration registration, he will be able to extend the validity of the visa for the duration of his work permit, which can be 1 or 3 years.

As a result, the foreigner will have a multiple visa, according to which, he will be able to stay in Russia all 365 days a year if he will wish. He will be able to renew visa every year for another year an unlimited number of times without leaving Russia. At the same time, he must strictly observe all the rules of stay, obligatory for foreigners. The responsibility to control this rests with the employer.

E-visa to Russia for US citizens

An electronic visa is a new format of visa, introduced experimentally. This visa does not need an invitation, you can apply for it directly through the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the moment, the electronic visa is a single entry and cannot be extended. You can stay in Russia up to eight days and for its making you need a digital photo and a completed application form.

It is important that obtaining of electronic visa is available only to citizens of some countries. US citizens cannot get an electronic visa to Russia. A complete list of countries with which Russia has an agreement on electronic visas is available on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

САЙТ О ПУТЕШЕСТВИЯХ И ТУРИЗМЕ

Visa to Russia from USA

Can Americans visit Russia without a visa?

No. Getting a visa document is a legal way to get into the country. You need not make a request to Russia for this. It is enough to visit the consular or embassy office of the Russian Federation, in America.

What does the visa application process look like?

US residents cannot apply for a visa and enter Russian territory without an invitation. Its type depends on the visa document. A visa is determined by the main purpose of the trip. In some situations, there may be several purposes of visiting a country (a guided tour and meeting with business partners), but there must be the main one.

Travel to Russia: Visas for American Citizens

What are the visas?

  • Tourist visa. A visit to the country is always associated with tourist vacations, sightseeing.
  • Business visa. Issued to those who take part in a scientific conference or must organize a business meeting or extend the contract with an existing partner.
  • Working visa. Issued on condition of being hired by a company in the Russian Federation.
  • Private visa. Issued to Americans who want to see their Russian friends, immediate relatives. If you can make a tourist visa, we recommend choosing this option. A private visa will cost more, it will take longer to apply for this visa.

Who is involved in issuing visa documents?

This obligation is assigned to the consulates of the Russian Federation in the United States. Several such bodies are functioning. Choose the option that is closest to you.

What is the difference between visas?

Purpose of the trip

1 to 30 days (maximum — 3 years)

A tourist trip, meetings with relatives, friends from Russia

30 to 90 days (maximum 5 years)

Business-oriented meetings: negotiations, meetings with partners, search for new counter-parties, attendance at conferences.

A long-duration tourist trip.

Prolonged communication with relatives and friends.

An official visit of friends and relatives (this option is not recommended because of low practicality and high cost)

Employment, entry to Russia for permanent residence

Russian Tourist Visa from USA

The purpose of the trip is tourism

The most common type of visa is a tourist visa. Foreigners enter the country as part of an excursion tour. The goal is to get acquainted with the local culture, sightseeing, and visit popular places.

The visa document is issued by special invitation. It includes a travel voucher and an American acceptance certificate. The travel agency that organized the trip issues invitations. It must have a reference number. Only those companies that are in the Federal Register of Tour Operators may issue invitation documents.

The current legislation does not provide a special form. But there are requirements for the content. The sender shows the passport details of the US citizen, his name and a reference number, places to be visited, the number of entries, and the duration of the visa document.

The foreigner presents an invitation to the consulate. Employees of the body often require a ticket, hotel reservation documents, and a health insurance card. It is better to prepare all the papers in advance. Although, it is not necessary that they be requested.

As for criminal record checks, expulsion from the Russian Federation and fines, the consulate itself deals with these issues. This information does not play a role for the tour operator. They issue invitations, even if the fine is not paid or there is a criminal record. The consulate checks the foreigner on all points before applying for a visa. If there are violations, a visa will not be issued. The invitation does not guarantee the issuance of a visa.

If the inspection is successfully completed and there are no violations, the consulate processes a document valid for only 30 days. Depending on the visa type, it is allowed to enter the country once or twice. Since September 2012, it is possible to repeatedly visit countries by special invitation. This visa is valid for a longer period. Duration up to 3 years.

You can issue a tourist invitation to Russia for US citizens on our partner site. The price of a visa invitation will be 15 dollars.

To fill out the form, click the link https://goingrus.com/ru/russian-visa-invitation or go to fill out the form:

Russian Private Visa for Americans (US citizens)

A trip to meet with Russian friends

An American can come to the country if he has friends and relatives in Russia. A person needs a private visa. A visa is issued by invitation. The GUVM of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation is dealing with this issue. Issuing a visa is preceded by an application. Both an individual and a legal entity can submit it.

If an American is invited by a relative, the relevant document is processed by the department at the place of residence. If this is a company, then you need to contact the local office at the place of accreditation.

For the invitation, you need a DFMS form, which is assigned a unique number. The document contains everything about the inviting party, the foreigner (passport details), the duration and a number of entries.

A private visa is done for a long time. The reason lies in checking the foreigner. Unpaid fines, a criminal record, and the fact of expelling an American from the country can be a barrier to entry. If a foreigner has previously violated Russian law, a refusal will follow. If there were no such cases, a visa will be issued for a period of up to 90 days for 1 or 2 entries.

A distinctive feature of this visa is that it is issued even to a minor American. In other cases, parental support is a prerequisite. If a minor wants to fly to Russia alone, he will be refused.

Issuing a private invitation

The General Administration for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation is dealing with this issue. The local authority is selected at the place of registration or accreditation. A company does not deal with issuing an invitation. This is a specific and lengthy process. In many situations, it is advisable to get a tourist visa (and if there is a business — a business visa). Alternative options will save time and money.

Russian Business Visa from USA

Business trip

Sometimes Americans have to look for business connections directly in Russia. This purpose of entry is consistent with a business visa. It allows you to come to the Russian Federation legally, meet with contractors, sign new agreements, take part in tenders, and speak at a seminar. An invitation is needed. Unlike a private visa, an invitation is not only compiled on the DFMS form. There are 2 alternative methods: a telex or a letter from the company.

When choosing an option, it is worth considering some nuances that may affect the final decision:

  • An invitation letter is the cheapest way (the other two options are less attractive);
  • A letter from the organization is processed faster (it can be done online and received by e-mail);
  • In the case of a Telex and a DFMS form, the original is needed, there are no such requirements for the letter (it takes time and money to get the original);
  • If you have already entered the country twice on a business visa, it is possible to increase the period to 3 years (this option applies only when the company presents a letter).

What are the invitations?

  • A letter. An organization accredited by the DFMS applies to the Russian Embassy in the United States. It takes 24 hours.
  • A DFMS form. Issuing visas is handled by Office for Passports and Visas of DFMS. A company that wants to invite an American, appeals to the body, submits an application, provides information about the foreigner and about himself. The purpose of the visit, duration and the visa multiplicity are also reflected.
  • A Telex. The invitation arrives at the consulate through the Russian Foreign Ministry. An American will need the number of this document. It is enough to report the data to the consulate.

The last two options are inferior in terms of a letter. The authorized bodies check the foreigner for offenses. If there are violations, a refusal will follow. When there are no restrictions to the trip, an invitation is issued. A business visa is allowed to come to the country for 1 to 36 months. The number of visits to the Russian Federation is limited (1 or 2 times) and unlimited (multiple entry visa).

You can issue a business invitation to Russia for US citizens in the form of a letter from the organization soon on our partner site. The price of a visa invitation will be 47 dollars.

Work visa for Americans (US citizens)

A trip to work in the Russian Federation

Americans are not forbidden to work in Russia, but only with a working visa. Everything is done through an invitation. In this case, it is the task of the future employer. Before this, the company draws up a permit.

Initially, the visa document is valid for 3 months. Within 90 days, an American arriving in the country must register at migration registration bodies. In the future, a visa is allowed to be extended up to 12 months. It depends on the duration of the work permit.

Work invitation specifics

The document is issued by employing companies. If there is no such company, but you want to work in the Russian Federation, you should first make a tourist visa and come to the country. You will have a lot of time not only to relax but also to solve other, more important issues that relate to the possibility of future employment.

Conclusion

Now you know how to obtain a visa to Russia in the United States. We hope that our article was useful to you, and if so, we ask you to share the link to it with your friends. We wish you to get a 3-year Russian visa and go on a lot of pleasant trips around our country!

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Who can travel to Russia in 2022?

In accordance with Annex №1 of the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation №635-R of March 16, tourists from the following countries may come to Russia:

Citizens of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Ukraine residing in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions are also allowed to visit Russia.

There are 2 main rules for travellers who are going to visit Russia:

— You must be a citizen of these countries or have a residence permit (or any other document proving the right of permanent residence).

— You have to enter Russia by plane and only from the territory of your country.

As for other countries, there are certain categories of citizens that can enter Russia. See the full list on the Federal Security Service website (available in Russian).

These categories are:

— diplomats and their family members;

— drivers, captains and pilots of international flights;

— foreign nationals who are family members of Russian citizens

— citizens who need to take care for their closest relatives (e.g. husbands, wives, children, mothers and fathers);

— citizens who have a residence permit for Russia;

— migrants who participate in the governmental programme;

— citizens who come for medical treatment (the documents should be issued by the Ministry of Health);

— citizens entering due to death of a close relative (death certificate and a document confirming the degree of kinship are required);

— highly qualified specialists. See the instructions for such specialists on the Federal Agency for Tourism website (available in Russian);

— residents of Baikonur and employees of companies working in the space industry.

What documents are needed for entry to Russia?

Negative COVID-19 PCR test — provide it at the customs. You must make it no earlier than 72 hours before departure.
You do not need to stay in quarantine if you have a negative test result.

A passport valid for 6 months from the date of travel.

Application form for those who are on flights to the Russian Federation for border crossing. It is to be completed prior to arrival in Russia.

Visa (citizens of 58 states are eligible for visa-free travel. See the list of these countries at the Federal Agency for Tourism website).
You must apply for it at the nearest visa application centre of your country: electronic visas to Russia are temporarily suspended.

Visa application form.
Sample for British nationals.
Sample for citizens of other countries.

Medical Insurance (Russian abbreviation: DMS). It must be valid across the whole territory of Russia and cover possible COVID-19 infection.

Proof of accommodation. Required for citizens who are nor eligible for visa-free travel to Russia.

Things you need to foresee before travelling to Russia

You need to be tested for COVID-19 in 72 hours before your arrival. The fastest way to get a test result is to do express tests. Keep in mind that they might be more expensive. The certificate must be in English or Russian. You may request a Russian translation at the clinic.

If you will show signs of fever or any other symptoms of an illness, you may be asked to re-do the test upon arrival. Set aside some cash on that — on average, the test costs 3,000 rubles (approximately 34 EUR). If the result is positive, you will have to stay for treatment.

Rules and recommendations you should follow while travelling in Russia

— be sure to wear gloves and a medical mask in public places: shops, transport, public institutions and museums;

— maintain at least 1,5 meters between yourself and people around;

— avoid crowded places;

— take a taxi instead of public transport.

How not to get COVID-19 — basic rules

Precautions The World Health Organization advises to follow:

— wash your hands thoroughly with soap, use alcohol-based hand rubs;

— wear a mask and gloves in public places. The mask must cover your nose and mouth;

— cover your mouth with a tissue if you feel like sneezing or coughing. After that, dispose the tissue immediately;

— avoid touching your face.

Stay at home if you feel unwell. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, call 103 immediately.

How to get a 3-year tourist Russian visa (only for US citizens)

Since September 2012, American citizens can apply for a 3-year multiple-entry Russian visa. In this article I explain step by step how to apply for this type of visa and how to obtain the visa support documents.

Article updated on January 30, 2022. Published on November 2, 2019

I’m going to talk about .

1. Agreement between Russia and USA on the simplification of visa formalities

Despite the bad news that usually comes in the media about relations between the United States and Russia, in September 2012 both countries signed an agreement that allows obtaining a 3-year visa, both for Russian citizens visiting the United States as well as Americans visiting Russia.

You can read this agreement in the following link: Agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States of America on the simplification of visa formalities for nationals of the Russian Federation and nationals of the United States of America

1.1. How long can Americans stay in Russia under this agreement?

Multiple-entry visas issued in accordance with the Agreement allow:

  • Getting a 3-year Russian visa. For example, from 1.12.2019 to 30.11.2022.
  • Staying in Russia for up to 6 months per visit. For example, from 1.12.2009 to 30.05.2020.
  • The number of visits is unlimited. So if you leave Russia on May 30, 2022 and re-enter Russia on June 1, the 6-month period begins again.

This means that an American can live in Russia for almost 3 years with just one visa.

1.2. How can you extend the duration of your stay?

  • If you are in St. Petersburg, you can take a train to Helsinki or Tallinn or travel to nearby border cities like Leppenranta in Finland or Narva in Estonia, and then return to St. Petersburg to enjoy another 6 months of stay in Russia.
  • If you are in Moscow, the border is a little further, but you can take a flight to a border country like Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan, for example. You can also take a train, a bus or a car to leave the country, although this will take longer.

In summary: for an American it is much easier to obtain a 3-year visa to Russia than a permit to visit any European country for a period greater than 90 days.

1.3. Where is the 3-year multiple visa processed?

As an individual, you can have your visa processed at any consulate of the Russian Embassy in the United States (which can be found in Washington, New York, Houston, and Seattle) as well as at the Russian Visa Center in USA, an independent business that is subcontracted by the Russian Embassy in the USA which also has delegations in these same cities.

Currently the visa center is managed by the company Russia Visa Center (previously it was managed by ILS and VFS Global).

In the Russian Visa Center the visa process can be complete either face-to-face or at a distance through the Visa Center courier service. You can easily make an appointment in advance. In the offices, they offer additional services for purchase that are not available at the consulates: completion of application forms, photocopying, visa photos, mail service processing, etc. Everything is set up so that you don’t have to come back on another day (and of course do business).

In exchange for better service, the price of the visa is greater since applying requires additional management and a cost of $38 per visa is added.

1.4. How much does a 3-year multiple visa-entry cost?

A 3-year multiple visa-entry costs $160. In addition to the visa fee you have to pay the Russia Visa Application Centre Service Charge of 38 USD (including VAT) for each visa application.

So, the total cost is 198 USD in the Russian Visa Center.

1.5. Do I need a 3-year multiple visa support voucher (or invitation)?

No. As explained in section 2 of this article, it is not necessary to obtain an invitation or visa support voucher for 3 years. In fact, tourist agencies issue invitations for a maximum period of 30 days. With a 30-day visa support letter is enough.

US Consulates recommend that US citizens apply for 3-year multiple-entry tourist visas regardless of the dates, number of entries and period of stay indicated in the tourist voucher.

1.6. What does the 3-year, multiple-entry visa look like?

Like any Russian visa, with the only exception that the period is 3 years and for multiple entries.

2. How to apply for a 3-year tourist visa for American citizens

Below I explain the steps you must follow to obtain a 3-year multiple Russian visa

The detailed process for obtaining a tourist visa is explained in this article. In the present article I will focus on the specificities of the 3-year multiple visa.

Step 1. Have a valid passport

To apply for a visa, you must have a Passport that is valid for at least six months after your visa expires. You should also have at least two blank pages available.

If you apply for a 3-year visa from December 1, 2019 until November 30, 2022, then your passport must be valid beyond May 30, 2023. Otherwise, you must renew your passport before applying for a visa.

Step 2. Get a visa support letter (also called voucher or invitation)

In addition to the passport, you will also need a visa support document, officially titled as a “Confirmation of hosting a foreign tourist”, issued by a hotel or a tourist agency which is registered with the Federal Agency of Tourist Operators of the Russian Federation.

The visa support document may be a copy.

Please note that it is not necessary to book your hotel, you can indicate any hotel in the visa support application. Once you get the visa you can change your hotel if you wish or stay anywhere else.

In order to apply for a 3-year multiple-entry Tourist visa, the easiest way is to obtain a standard visa support letter (single or double entry) for 30 days from iVisa o Russia Support (for example, from 1.12.2019 to 30.12.2019), but then specify a 3 year long period in your visa application form. The starting date of your visa would be on the day your visa support starts, but the end date would be not in 30 days, but in 3 years (ex. Date of Entry 1.12.2019 until Date of Departure 30.11.2022-minus one day).

Here is a real example:

Step 3. Fill out the Visa Application Form

Once you have your passport and your visa support voucher (or letter of invitation), you are ready to fill out the visa application form.

The form can be filled out electronically by visiting: https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx

When you go to fill out the form for the first time, you should select your country (USA) and the language you would like to continue in. Also mark in the box that you have read the introductory information. Next, click Complete new application form.

On the application under the “Visa details” section you have to answer the following:

  • Nationality: United States
  • If you had USSR or Russian nationality at some time: yes/no
  • Purpose of visit: Tourism
  • Visa category and type: Common Tourist
  • Number of entries: Multiple
  • Date of entry into Russia / Date of exit: 1.12.2019 / 30.11.2022

Once the form is completed you must sign it and paste a photo.

Step 4. Travel insurance (optional)

If you need a travel insurance a very good option is Cherehapa, a Russian company specializing in travel insurance. You can buy, extend and claim online your travel insurance to Russia, even after you’ve left home. The insurance has a medical expenses coverage of 50,000 euros.

Step 5. Take all of your documents to the Russian Visa Center (or consulate)

Once you have all your documents, the final step is to take everything to the Consulate or to the Russian Visa Center that is nearest your place or residence. This can be done in person or by mail.

Option 1: Consulate

You can submit documents at the consular establishment of the Russian Federation in USA that is in your jurisdiction by prior appointment only. Appointments have to be booked online:

Option 2: Russian Visa Center

A) Applying in person

When applying in person at a Russian Visa Center, you don’t need to make an appointment ahead of time. Just drive to the Russian Visa Center nearest you and give them your completed documents.

You must come either in person, or nominate a person to submit the documents on your behalf, providing they have a letter of attorney.

B) Applying through the mail

If you are unable to apply in person at a Russian Visa Center, you can also send your application by mail.

I hope this article has helped you apply for your 3-year multiple visa to Russia from the United States!

If you’ve found it useful, you can help me sharing this article. Thank you!

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