Russian Visas 101

There are two steps in the Russian visa process.

Step 1: Obtain visa support (invitation, voucher). This can take anywhere from a few minutes (tourist voucher) to several weeks (other types of visas). This visa support can take various forms.

• E-invitation. Information is transmitted to the consulate directly, and you receive an extract by email.
• Telex. Similar to the e-invitation, but you only receive a telex number to reference.
• Tourist voucher. You recieve a confirmation number once issued.
• Paper (yellow certificate). A piece of paper must be physically shipped from Russia. Thankfully, this rather inconvenient format is being phased out.

Step 2: Visa processing. With the visa support, you can apply for the visa itself. In almost all cases, consulates no longer accept applications directly. Instead, applicants must submit full applications to an ILS (VLS in Europe) office, which serves to collect and perform a preliminary review of applications for the consulate.

The standard application packet (for Americans) includes the following:

• Completed application – done online, printed, signed, and dated.
• One (some consulates want two) passport/document photos.
• Passport (original) – the visa will be glued into it.
• Visa support. If telex, then the reference number simply entered in the relevant field of the visa application.
• Payment
• If you are applying for a student and work visa (see above), you’ll also include your HIV test results
• If you are under 21, you will also need to include:
  • Copy of birth certificate
  • Copy of both parents’ passports (data pages)
    – If one or both parents’ passports are not available, then any of the following that apply:
    
    • Copy of the parent’s photo ID + explanation that parent does not have passport (letter from the relevant parent)
    • A letter explaining that one/both parents are deceased
    • Letter indicating that only one parent has full custody
  • If you are under 21 and adopted:
    • Submit proof of adoption

Important points to remember:

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your visa exit date and in the case of a student visa, it must be valid for at least 18 months after your entry date (no matter how long your program is).
• It is possible to process your visa at a consulate outside of your country of citizenship. There can be some additional requirements in this case related to proof of residency and/or insurance.
• Passport photo(s) and HIV tests must be taken within 3 months of submitting the visa application.

Russian visa regulations have changed often and enforcement has not always been consistent. This has created a wealth of outdated or circumstantial information online. Meanwhile, Russia recently has been rapidly digitizing its processes, making enforcement rapidly broader. Further, the consequences of breaking Russia’s visa laws are substantial – and can range from fines and missed flights to your being banned from receiving further Russian visas for 3-10 years.

Below is information that will clearly introduce you to your obligations while in Russia so as to make sure that your trip is safe and enjoyable.

I. Registration, De-registration, and Re-registration

Your visa must be registered within 7 business days of arrival to Russia – even if you will travel inside Russia after your arrival.

Hotels and hostels de-register you at check out. For many years now, hotels have been required to register you at check in but also de-register you at checkout. Once you are checked out, the clock starts again: you will need re-register at your next place of residence within 7 business days or leave the country.

One registration cancels another. If you are, for instance, registered in an apartment in one city and leave to stay in a hotel in another, the hotel’s registration will cancel your apartment registration. The clock starts again: you will need re-register at your next hotel or back at your apartment within 7 business days or leave the country.

Leaving Russia de-registers you. When you return, you will need re-register your visa within 7 business days or leave the country.

Trips to Russia for less than seven business days do not technically require registration. However, we still recommend you do it just to be safe.

Trips within Russia get a bit more complicated:

• You should generally assume that you need new registration in each city you visit within seven business days.
• If you stay less than seven days, you do not need to register (so long as you have been registered somewhere within seven business days of your arrival to the country – see above).
• If you are not registered while traveling after being registered and return to the exact address (apartment) where you were registered last, you will not need to be re-registered upon your return (but note that if you stayed at a hotel or hostel anywhere, you should have been automatically registered and de-registered, requiring re-registration upon your return).
• If you travel extensively, for instance, arriving in Russia and staying five days in one city, four in another, and nine in a third – you will require registration within seven business days of arriving in Russia (see above) and in the last city. We highly recommend that you leave Russia with a valid registration. We also recommend that you keep your train or plane tickets as well as proof of your travel schedual.
• Your registration will have an expiration, most often based on your rental contract. If your registration expires, the clock starts again: you will need re-register within 7 business days or leave the country.

II. Where Can You Register?

As of July 2018 visa registration must be by place of residence only. A “place of residence” means a hotel or hostel, university dormitory, or an apartment.

Hotels will register you upon arrival. It is their legal obligation in Russia. Request a copy of the registration slip from the front desk. (They often do offer this, but you should have it when you apply for registration at your next location).

Hostels should register you upon arrival (it is also their legal obligation). However, you should check to make sure this will happen when you make the reservation. Some hostels do it automatically, some as an on-demand service, and others do not offer the service (although this is technically not legal).

Apartments: Warning! The legal owner of the apartment must be present to do this. Always check with your AirBnB, other rental or homestay option to make sure that they will register you. Many will not despite, again, Russian legislation requiring them to do so. Registration at apartments can be done at a local “multifunctional center” (МФЦ), a new system of government service offices. Apartment owners are often unable (ie out of the country) or unwilling (ie avoiding taxes) to do this. Always check before making your reservation if registration will be available and, if so, if there will be an associated added expense for registration. Note that while registration can also be done by mailing in information at a Russian post office, we do not recommend using the post office. The post will provide you with proof that you submitted your documents. The post is then supposed to forward the documents to the authorities who then enter your information into the statewide computerized system. However, if the documents don’t reach the authorities (not uncommon), and you are not entered into the system, you can experience problems in the future. The multifunctional centers are a much more direct solution and usually have locations throughout most major cities. Discuss your registration with any host you are considering and make sure they will register you upon arrival, preferably using the multifunctional centers.

Failure to register and observe all laws and regulations related to your visa can result in fines, denial of future Russian visas, deportation, and other unexpected inconveniences. Leave nothing to chance. You are also expected to carry full documentation with you at all times (visa, migration card, registration or transport ticket(s), passport) and can be stopped at random at any time for a document check.

Children must have their own international passport to travel.

Children must arrive on the same visa type as the parent they are accompanying. Separate visas are needed for each individual. This means, for example, if a researcher is traveling with one minor child, the researcher will need to arrange two humanitarian visas.

Other adults may travel on seperate visa types. This means, for example, if a researcher is traveling with their child’s other parent/guardian, that adult may travel on a tourist visa as outlined above. The child, then, may also travel on a tourist  visa.

It is best to consult with us in advance about your exact plans.

The Russian consulates have become quite diligent in searching for Russian citizenship among visa applicants. It is illegal for a Russian citizen to receive a Russian visa. If any of the following points apply to you, consult with us or with the Russian Embassy as soon as possible.

• If you were born in Russia or the USSR (any of its constituents), there is a very high likelihood you will be asked for additional documentation proving you are not a current citizen of Russia.
• If you were born in the USSR and emigrated prior to 1992, you simply have to show documentation of that. Emigration prior to 1992 resulted in immediate loss of citizenship.
• If you emigrated after 1992 and your US passport/naturalization papers show you as coming from Russia, you are still a citizen, unless you took active and lengthy steps to renounce your citizenship.
• If you emigrated from a former Soviet state other than Russia after 1992, you’ll need to provide paperwork supporting that.
• If you were born in Russia and were adopted, you are still a Russian citizen unless you (yourself) took active and lengthy steps to renounce your citizenship after turning 18 years of age.
• If you have a Russian parent or a Russian-sounding name or a parent with a Russian-sounding name, you may be asked for additional documents if the consulate thinks you may hold citzenship on the basis of birthright.

If you are a dual citizen, you cannot travel to Russia on a visa; you have to use your Russian passport. If you hold citizenship but don’t have a Russian international passport, you will need to contact the Russian Embassy to have a new passport issued. Even if you want to renounce your Russian citizenship, the first step to doing so will be to have a passport issued. Passport issuance can take months.

If you are a Russian dual-citizen, or believe you may be a Russian dual-citizen, please see our page on Dual Citizens, Adoptees, and Heritage Speakers – Visa and Safety Issues for more information and to review your options.