30.03.2007
As consulates can vary in their requirements, we outline here the requirements for processing a visa at a consulate in the USA only, as we are able to regularly monitor any changes.
Applying for the visa at the Russian Consulate
To obtain your visa, you need to submit the following to the Russian consulate:
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Passport. Your passport must be valid at least 6 months from your planned exit date from Russia. It must also have two clean opposing pages in it, so that they can affix the visa.
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One passport photo. Although digital is OK, it MUST look like a passport photo and not a high school yearbook photo. If you do use digital, print it on photo paper. In other words, it shouldn't "look" like you made it at home.
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Cover letter. If you are traveling yourself, it is from you individually. If you are traveling on behalf of your company, then from your company. It should just briefly outline your dates, destination and purpose. Nothing extensive.
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Payment. See list of consulate fees below. If you are submitting your application in person, you can pay in money order or cash. If you are submitting your application by post, money order only.
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Return pre-paid airbill. Note that the consulate in New York City appears to prefer using their own Fedex contract and charges $15 for this.
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Your voucher or invitation. So far, it appears to be OK to use a fax or scanned copy of the invitation in the US.
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In the case of a visa valid for more than 90 days, HIV test results.
Do not be surprised if a particular consulate suddenly changes the rules. Sometimes this happens because the rules do really change (such is the reality of Russia) and sometimes because of staff changes in a consulate.
Consulate fees (for those consulates in the US):
- 6+ day processing for all types of visas is $100.
- 3-5 day processing: $150 (single-entry); $200 (double-entry); $300 (multi-entry)
- Next or two-day processing: $200 (single-entry); $250 (double-entry); $350 (multi-entry)
- Same-day processing: $300 (single-entry); $350 (double-entry); $450 (multi-entry)
Visa Processing Agencies
It is also possible to have a visa expediting service handle your visa. These are services generally based in Washington DC and other cities with consular office. On average they charge around $45-50 plus shipping in addition to the consular fees. Presently we work regularly with Travel Document Systems (www.traveldocs.com) in Washington DC for visa processing in the USA.
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