Business visa Single-entry and double-entry business visas can be issued for no longer than 90 days, multiple re-entry business visa can be issued for 1 year. Documents required:

1. Official invitation issued by the Russian Ministry of the Internal Affairs of Russia, its local offices or the Russian Foreign Ministry, its regional offices, or any other authorized Russian agency. The letter must contain: official seal and legal address of the agency, document registration number, date of registration, signature and name of an authorized official, travel itinerary, dates of stay, names of persons invited. We reserve the right to request originals of any invitation. Copies of multiple business invitations are not accepted - please submit original of multiple invitation.
2. Passport (original). Passport must contain at least one blank page marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned.
3. Copy of the passport's vital page( s).
4. Standard Application form (must be filled out completely with all information requested, must have original signature and dated), with one passport-size photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form. To download application form for US citizens click: Visa Application Form for US citizens . To download application form for non US citizens or individuals with no citizenship click: ("Adobe Acrobat Reader" is required to open the file).
5. Official hospital HIV (AIDS) Test Certificate is required along with your paperwork if you apply for a visa valid for more than 3 months.
6. Visa processing fee made payable to the Russian Consulate General by money order, cashier's check or company check only (see fees and time schedule below). Please do not send cash or personal checks.
7. A cover letter from your company (or from yourself if you are traveling individually) with information about the traveler, destination, terms and purpose of the trip, cities to be visited in Russia and telephone or facsimile number where you can be reached.
8. If applying by mail (all visa documents should be sent to 2790 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94123), you should enclose a completely addressed and stamped return envelope or prepaid waybill, bearing your account number with the postal service (preferably Federal Express) and showing yourself as both shipper and recipient regardless of delivery address. We do not accept waybills marked ‘bill sender’, ‘bill third party’, bill credit card’ or C.O.D. If you fail to follow the above mentioned requirements, your visa application will not be processed. If the papers are not acceptable for any reason or some documents are missing, we will return them by regular mail. When forwarding your documents to us, please, specify “attention: visa section”. We do not accept documents for international delivery! If you apply personally, you should get a pick-up slip from the visa officer. You should present this slip to pick up your visa, when it is ready, or refer to its number to check out the status of the application .
9. Please read important Additional rules and information which might apply to specifically to you.

The Consulate may request additional documentation. Visa processing starts only after we have collected all necessary documents. All paperwork once submitted is not subject to any change of the announced visa processing period or the period of stay in Russia indicated in valid invitation available at the moment of submission. If applicant needs to make changes in submitted paperwork before visa is processed, all documentation will be returned to applicant for resubmission. Visa-processing fee paid is not refundable. In case applicant requests correction in visa due to any reason other than computer misprint, applicant will have to reapply for a new visa. It is not possible to expedite visa processing after your documents have been accepted by the Consulate. The Consulate will not bear any responsibility for the errors in visas, which were not brought to our attention before departure from the USA and beforehand, within time allowing to review such visa. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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Private (homestay) visa Valid for single entry. Documents required:

1. Standard invitation (original only) issued by a local office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (former OVIR). You should ask your relative or friend to obtain one from a local Passport and Visa Service office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
2. Passport (original). Passport must contain at least one blank page marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned.
3. Copy of the passport's vital page (s).
4. Standard Application form (must be filled out completely with all information requested, must have original signature and dated), with one passport-size photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form. To download application form for US citizens click: Visa Application Form for US citizens . To download application form for non US citizens or individuals with no citizenship click: ("Adobe Acrobat Reader" is required to open the file).
5. Visa processing fee made payable to the Russian Consulate General by money order, cashier's check or company check only (see fees and time schedule below). Please do not send cash or personal checks.
6. All visa documents must be accompanied by a cover letter specifying purpose of visit, dates of arrival and departure, cities to be visited in Russia and telephone or facsimile number where you can be reached.
7. If applying by mail (all visa documents should be sent to 2790 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94123), you should enclose a completely addressed and stamped return envelope or prepaid waybill, bearing your account number with the postal service (preferably Federal Express) and showing yourself as both shipper and recipient regardless of delivery address. We do not accept waybills marked ‘bill sender’, ‘bill third party’, bill credit card’ or C.O.D. If you fail to follow the above mentioned requirements, your visa application will not be processed. If the papers are not acceptable for any reason or some documents are missing, we will return them by regular mail. When forwarding your documents to us, please, specify “attention: visa section”. We do not accept documents for international delivery! If you apply personally, you should get a pick-up slip from the visa officer. You should present this slip to pick up your visa, when it is ready, or refer to its number to check out the status of the application .
8. Please read important Additional rules and information which might apply to specifically to you.

The Consulate may request additional documentation. Visa processing starts only after we have collected all necessary documents. All paperwork once submitted is not subject to any change of the announced visa processing period or the period of stay in Russia indicated in valid invitation available at the moment of submission. If applicant needs to make changes in submitted paperwork before visa is processed, all documentation will be returned to applicant for resubmission. Visa-processing fee paid is not refundable. In case applicant requests correction in visa due to any reason other than computer misprint, applicant will have to reapply for a new visa. It is not possible to expedite visa processing after your documents have been accepted by the Consulate. The Consulate will not bear any responsibility for the errors in visas, which were not brought to our attention before departure from the USA and beforehand, within time allowing to review such visa. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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Tourist visa Tourist visa can be single-entry or double-entry and can be issued for no longer than 30 days. Documents required:

1. Standard "Confirmation" and "Tourist Voucher" from Russian travel agency, Russian hotel Receiving organization should be duly registered as a tourist company with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and assigned a special reference number. This reference number should be indicated on the Confirmation Letter. Cruise-ship passengers are required to present a letter from the Cruise Company and a Cruise Confirmation Letter from the cruise company’s partner agency in Russia (ask your cruise operator for a copy of that letter prior to applying for a visa).
2. Passport (original). Passport must contain at least one blank page marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned.
3. Copy of the passport's vital page (s).
4. Standard Application form (must be filled out completely with all information requested, must have original signature and dated), with one passport-size photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form. To download application form for US citizens click: Visa Application Form for US citizens . To download application form for non US citizens or individuals with no citizenship click: ("Adobe Acrobat Reader" is required to open the file).
5. Visa processing fee made payable to the Russian Consulate General by money order, cashier's check or company check only (see fees and time schedule below). Please do not send cash or personal checks.
6. All visa documents must be accompanied by a cover letter specifying purpose of visit, dates of arrival and departure, cities to be visited in Russia and telephone or facsimile number where you can be reached.
7. If applying by mail (all visa documents should be sent to 2790 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94123), you should enclose a completely addressed and stamped return envelope or prepaid waybill, bearing your account number with the postal service (preferably Federal Express) and showing yourself as both shipper and recipient regardless of delivery address. We do not accept waybills marked ‘bill sender’, ‘bill third party’, bill credit card’ or C.O.D. If you fail to follow the above mentioned requirements, your visa application will not be processed. If the papers are not acceptable for any reason or some documents are missing, we will return them by regular mail. When forwarding your documents to us, please, specify “attention: visa section”. We do not accept documents for international delivery! If you apply personally, you should get a pick-up slip from the visa officer. You should present this slip to pick up your visa, when it is ready, or refer to its number to check out the status of the application .
8. Please read important Additional rules and information which might apply to specifically to you.

The Consulate may request additional documentation. Visa processing starts only after we have collected all necessary documents. All paperwork once submitted is not subject to any change of the announced visa processing period or the period of stay in Russia indicated in valid invitation available at the moment of submission. If applicant needs to make changes in submitted paperwork before visa is processed, all documentation will be returned to applicant for resubmission. Visa-processing fee paid is not refundable. In case applicant requests correction in visa due to any reason other than computer misprint, applicant will have to reapply for a new visa. It is not possible to expedite visa processing after your documents have been accepted by the Consulate. The Consulate will not bear any responsibility for the errors in visas, which were not brought to our attention before departure from the USA and beforehand, within time allowing to review such visa. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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Student visa This attributes to the "long-term" students requesting entry visas. Short-term student projects' participants should refer to the business visa regulations. Documents required:

1. Official Invitation issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its regional offices.
2. Your current diploma or educational certificate, certified by the State or Federal authorities.
3. General health certificate on your current health condition (must be certified by Apostil at the local office of the Secretary of your State and translated into Russian, then certified by the Consulate)
4. Official hospital HIV (AIDS) Test Certificate (must be certified by Apostil at the local office of the Secretary of your State and translated into Russian, then certified by the Consulate).
5. A confirmation of the payment arrangement directly from the University, Institute or College you are going to study at
6. Passport (original). Passport must contain at least one blank page marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned.
7. Copy of the passport's vital page (s).
8. Standard Application form (must be filled out completely with all information requested, must have original signature and dated), with one passport-size photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form. To download application form for US citizens click: Visa Application Form for US citizens . To download application form for non US citizens or individuals with no citizenship click: ("Adobe Acrobat Reader" is required to open the file).
9. Visa processing fee made payable to the Russian Consulate General by money order, cashier's check or company check only (see fees and time schedule below). Please do not send cash or personal checks.
10. All visa documents must be accompanied by a cover letter specifying purpose of visit, dates of arrival and departure, cities to be visited in Russia and telephone or facsimile number where you can be reached.
11. If applying by mail (all visa documents should be sent to 2790 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94123), you should enclose a completely addressed and stamped return envelope or prepaid waybill, bearing your account number with the postal service (preferably Federal Express) and showing yourself as both shipper and recipient regardless of delivery address. We do not accept waybills marked ‘bill sender’, ‘bill third party’, bill credit card’ or C.O.D. If you fail to follow the above mentioned requirements, your visa application will not be processed. If the papers are not acceptable for any reason or some documents are missing, we will return them by regular mail. When forwarding your documents to us, please, specify “attention: visa section”. We do not accept documents for international delivery! If you apply personally, you should get a pick-up slip from the visa officer. You should present this slip to pick up your visa, when it is ready, or refer to its number to check out the status of the application .
12. Please read important Additional rules and information which might apply to specifically to you.

The Consulate may request additional documentation. Visa processing starts only after we have collected all necessary documents. All paperwork once submitted is not subject to any change of the announced visa processing period or the period of stay in Russia indicated in valid invitation available at the moment of submission. If applicant needs to make changes in submitted paperwork before visa is processed, all documentation will be returned to applicant for resubmission. Visa-processing fee paid is not refundable. In case applicant requests correction in visa due to any reason other than computer misprint, applicant will have to reapply for a new visa. It is not possible to expedite visa processing after your documents have been accepted by the Consulate. The Consulate will not bear any responsibility for the errors in visas, which were not brought to our attention before departure from the USA and beforehand, within time allowing to review such visa. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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Transit visa Transit visa permits to travel through the Russian territory without stay depending on your tickets, it is issued for up to 72 hours, you travel by air, or for up to 10 days, if using other means of transportation. Documents required:

1. The visa of the country of destination and a copy of the air, railway or other ticket with "OK" status.
2. Passport (original). Passport must contain at least one blank page marked "visas", otherwise the passport and documents will not be accepted and will be returned.
3. Copy of the passport's vital page (s).
4. Standard Application form (must be filled out completely with all information requested, must have original signature and dated), with one passport-size photo glued or stapled at the place for photo on the application form. To download application form for US citizens click: Visa Application Form for US citizens . To download application form for non US citizens or individuals with no citizenship click: ("Adobe Acrobat Reader" is required to open the file).
5. Visa processing fee made payable to the Russian Consulate General by money order, cashier's check or company check only (see fees and time schedule below). Please do not send cash or personal checks.
6. All visa documents must be accompanied by a cover letter specifying purpose of visit, dates of arrival and departure, cities to be visited in Russia and telephone or facsimile number where you can be reached.
7. If applying by mail (all visa documents should be sent to 2790 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94123), you should enclose a completely addressed and stamped return envelope or prepaid waybill, bearing your account number with the postal service (preferably Federal Express) and showing yourself as both shipper and recipient regardless of delivery address. We do not accept waybills marked ‘bill sender’, ‘bill third party’, bill credit card’ or C.O.D. If you fail to follow the above mentioned requirements, your visa application will not be processed. If the papers are not acceptable for any reason or some documents are missing, we will return them by regular mail. When forwarding your documents to us, please, specify “attention: visa section”. We do not accept documents for international delivery! If you apply personally, you should get a pick-up slip from the visa officer. You should present this slip to pick up your visa, when it is ready, or refer to its number to check out the status of the application .
8. Please read important Additional rules and information which might apply to specifically to you.

The Consulate may request additional documentation. Visa processing starts only after we have collected all necessary documents. All paperwork once submitted is not subject to any change of the announced visa processing period or the period of stay in Russia indicated in valid invitation available at the moment of submission. If applicant needs to make changes in submitted paperwork before visa is processed, all documentation will be returned to applicant for resubmission. Visa-processing fee paid is not refundable. In case applicant requests correction in visa due to any reason other than computer misprint, applicant will have to reapply for a new visa. It is not possible to expedite visa processing after your documents have been accepted by the Consulate. The Consulate will not bear any responsibility for the errors in visas, which were not brought to our attention before departure from the USA and beforehand, within time allowing to review such visa. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

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