Business Visa Application Requirements for a Russia Visa

  1. Passport

    You must provide your actual signed passport. Your passport must:

    • Contain at least one blank visa page for single entry; two blank visa pages for dual or multiple entry visas. Amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
    • Be valid for six months beyond the validity of your requested visa

    If your passport does not meet the above requirements, please contact CIBTvisas at 800-929-2428 for further details.

  2. Photograph(s)

    You must provide a photograph. Upload your photo and we will print it to the exact specifications required for this visa. Follow https://cibtvisas.com/photo-service to upload your photo.

     

    Alternatively, you may provide one color, passport-type photograph that meets the following strict criteria: be taken within the last three months against an all-white background and printed on high-quality photo paper; be two inches by two inches; provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression. You may not wear eyeglasses or headwear except for religious purposes. Your photo should not be affixed to your application and the photograph may not display evidence of adhesive tape or staples.

  3. Russia Business Invitation

    You must obtain a Russian Business Invitation to travel to Russia.

    If you have secured your own invitation from the Russian government, you need to send us the original. Copies are not accepted by the consulate. Requirement to provide original invitation is waived if it is issued electronically. 

     If you have secured your own Telex then you must apply for your Russia Business visa in the city where the Telex is approved. That city may be different than the city where you have been directed to processes your visa. If you are unsure about the Telex please contact CIBTvisas  for further directions.

    If you obtain your own letter from your host company (also known as a Direct Invitation) in Russia, the document may be a copy if it follows the following structure exactly. The letter must:

    • Be written in Russian on company letterhead paper and possess a company seal
    • Include the host organization's full name, complete address, the first and last name of the person signing the statement, patronymic, and the tax payer identification number if the host organization is a legal entity or enterprise
    • Request a 36 month multiple entry visa, list the applicant's full name, date of birth, citizenship, gender, passport number, number of entries sought, purpose of travel to Russia, requested period of time in Russia, the address of where the applicant will stay, and the cities to be visited
    • Must state exact start and end dates of the 3 year visa (for example Dec. 1, 2013-Nov. 30, 2016)
    • Display the Russian company's "INN number" (tax ID number)
    • Be signed by the director of the company, stamped, dated, and show the full name and job title of the signer

    Direct invitation for 3 years is for U.S. citizens only and can be for general business purposes only and can't be used for Employment, Study, Religious, Crew or Technical service visas.

  4. Visa Application Form

    The Russian Consulate requires a visa application completed online. The application must be completed online by all travelers, and can be found at https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx. This application, hosted by the Russian government, may take up to an hour to complete and requires very detailed information. For Washington DC visa issuing office, select "Visa Application Center VFS (Washington)" in the drop down box. Your visa request cannot be processed if you do not complete the application form online. Your completed application must:

    • Provide answers for all fields (handwritten changes are not accepted)
    • Include your name as it appears in your passport
    • Include the institution or organization in Russia to be visited
    • Display a signature inside the box found directly below the section where we will attach your photograph. If the visa application is for a minor under the age of 18, the parents must sign the application
    • Be accompanied by a copy of your Application ID and password

    CIBTvisas provides a guide to assist you in completing the application. To access the guide follow this link: https://cibtvisas.com/forms?formname=Russia Business Guide.pdf or type the address into your browser.

  5. CIBTvisas Order Form

    Provide the CIBTvisas Order Form included in this kit.

  6. Former Russian Nationals Only

    You must provide a cover letter stating the date that you renounced your Russian citizenship. The consulate will not issue a visa to former Russian nationals who do not supply this cover letter.

  7. Activities in Russia

    If you will not be staying in a hotel, or are engaging in activities other than business, additional documentation will be required. For more details, please contact CIBTvisas for more information.

  8. Former Soviet and Ukrainian Citizens

    If you were born in a state of the former Soviet Republic or Ukraine, you must supply a copy of your Soviet or Ukrainian passport along with a letter stating when you immigrated to the U.S.

  9. Paper Invitation for Travelers Age 65 and Older

    Travelers age 65 and older are not permited to secure a Russian Business Invitation Telex.  CIBTvisas can assist travelers age 65 and older in securing a Russian Business Invitation printed on paper or a Tourist invitation.

  10. Urgent Applications

    If you have an urgent visa application that carries a tight deadline, CIBTvisas can help you to save valuable time and avoid expensive delays. A CIBTvisas expert will review all of your documents to certify your application is accurate, complete and ready for submission. We will contact you personally to quickly handle any mistakes ensuring your application is submitted correctly. Visit https://cibtvisas.com/visa-pre-check-service to learn more about this service.

  11. Document Preparation Service

    The Consulate of Russia requires a visa application be completed online. Make sure your documentation is accurately prepared. Simply provide answers to all of the fields in the optional Document Preparation Service form and a senior CIBTvisas Specialist will work with you to ensure the required documents are prepared quickly according to government and consular requirements. Once your application is complete, we will return it to you via a secure and encrypted email keeping your personal information safe.

  12. 3-Year Multiple Entry Option Also Available

    The Russian Federation offers U.S. nationals the opportunity to apply for a three year multiple entry visa.  To be eligible for consideration, the traveler must have a passport valid for at least three and a half years beyond date of first entry into Russia with at least two blank pages.

    Requirements for the 3-Year visa are different. For further information about how to apply for this visa, return to the CIBTvisas website and choose the appropriate 3-Year visa option.

  13. Passport Validation

    All applicants, without any exceptions, must validate their passport by their signature. The Embassy of Russia in Washington DC will not issue visa to an unsigned passport. If you have requested a new or second passport and a Russian visa in the same order, your new passport must be returned to you for signature before it can be submitted to the consulate for the visa process; additional shipping costs are applicable.

Tourist Application Requirements for a Russia Visa

  1. Passport

    You must provide your actual signed passport. Your passport must:

    • Contain at least one blank visa page for single entry; two blank visa pages for dual or multiple entry visas. Amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
    • Be valid for six months beyond the validity of your requested visa

    If your passport does not meet the above requirements, please contact CIBTvisas at 800-929-2428 for further details.

  2. Photograph(s)

    You must provide a photograph. Upload your photo and we will print it to the exact specifications required for this visa. Follow https://cibtvisas.com/photo-service to upload your photo.

     

    Alternatively, you may provide one color, passport-type photograph that meets the following strict criteria: be taken within the last three months against an all-white background and printed on high-quality photo paper; be two inches by two inches; provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression. You may not wear eyeglasses or headwear except for religious purposes. Your photo should not be affixed to your application and the photograph may not display evidence of adhesive tape or staples.

  3. Russian Tourist Visa Support Letter

    You must obtain an official Russian Tourist Visa Support Letter to travel to Russia. 

  4. Visa Application Form

    The Russian Consulate requires a visa application completed online. The application must be completed online by all travelers, and can be found at https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx. This application, hosted by the Russian government, may take up to an hour to complete and requires very detailed information. For Washington DC visa issuing office, select "Visa Application Center VFS (Washington)" in the drop down box. Your visa request cannot be processed if you do not complete the application form online. Your completed application must:

    • Provide answers for all fields (handwritten changes are not accepted)
    • Include your name as it appears in your passport
    • Include the institution or organization in Russia to be visited
    • Display a signature inside the box found directly below the section where we will attach your photograph. If the visa application is for a minor under the age of 18, the parents must sign the application
    • Be accompanied by a copy of your Application ID and password

    CIBTvisas provides a guide to assist you in completing the application. To access the guide follow this link: https://cibtvisas.com/forms?formname=Russia Tourist Guide.pdf or type the address into your browser.

  5. CIBTvisas Order Form

    Provide the CIBTvisas Order Form included in this kit.

  6. Former Russian Nationals Only

    You must provide a cover letter stating the date that you renounced your Russian citizenship. The consulate will not issue a visa to former Russian nationals who do not supply this cover letter.

  7. Minors Traveling to Russia

    All minors must submit a copy of his or her birth certificate. Other conditions may apply:

    • If the minor is traveling to Russia with only one parent or without both parents he or she must submit a notarized original letter of consent providing permission from the non-accompanying parent or legal guardian to travel to Russia on the specified dates of the trip.  Those signing this letter must provide copies of his or her driver's license and passport information page. To access a sample consent letter follow this link: https://cibtvisas.com/forms?formname=ParentalConsent.pdf or type the address into your browse
    • If the minor is adopted then you must submit a copy of the adoption papers in addition to a copy of the birth certificate
    • If the parents already hold a Russian visa then they must provide a copy of the Russian visa showing validity that covers the minor's travel dates
    • If the parents are Russian citizens they must provide certification of Russian citizenship

  8. Applicants Under the Age of 21

    Travelers under the age of 21 must also provide:

    • A copy of the traveler's birth certificate
    • Color copies of both parent's ID

    If passports are unavailable, copies of state-issued IDs/driver's license are acceptable along with a statement that the parent(s) do not have a passport.

  9. Activities in Russia

    If you will not be staying in a hotel, or are engaging in activities other than business, additional documentation will be required. For more details, please contact CIBTvisas for more information.

  10. Former Soviet and Ukrainian Citizens

    If you were born in a state of the former Soviet Republic or Ukraine, you must supply a copy of your Soviet or Ukrainian passport along with a letter stating when you immigrated to the U.S.

  11. 3-Year Multiple Entry Option Also Available

    The Russian Federation offers U.S. nationals the opportunity to apply for a three year multiple entry visa.  To be eligible for consideration, the traveler must have a passport valid for at least three and a half years beyond date of first entry into Russia with at least two blank pages.

    Requirements for the 3-Year visa are different. For further information about how to apply for this visa, return to the CIBTvisas website and choose the appropriate 3-Year visa option.

  12. Document Preparation Service

    The Consulate of Russia requires a visa application be completed online. Make sure your documentation is accurately prepared. Simply provide answers to all of the fields in the optional Document Preparation Service form and a senior CIBTvisas Specialist will work with you to ensure the required documents are prepared quickly according to government and consular requirements. Once your application is complete, we will return it to you via a secure and encrypted email keeping your personal information safe.

  13. Urgent Applications

    If you have an urgent visa application that carries a tight deadline, CIBTvisas can help you to save valuable time and avoid expensive delays. A CIBTvisas expert will review all of your documents to certify your application is accurate, complete and ready for submission. We will contact you personally to quickly handle any mistakes ensuring your application is submitted correctly. Visit https://cibtvisas.com/visa-pre-check-service to learn more about this service.

View A Russia Visa

Want to see what a visa to Russia looks like? You can view a sample visa for Russia and see what information it contains.

Learn More

Case Study

A premier league soccer team was given short notice to obtain multiple visas for their players in order to compete in an upcoming Russian exhibition match.  However, the players were out of the country on break.

Learn More

CIBTvisas

Fast.  CIBTvisas is the fastest way to get a travel visa or passport.

Easy.  CIBTvisas can help.  Our specialists are available by phone or email.

Secure.  CIBTvisas maintains the highest industry standard in data security.