Types of visas to Russia: Immigration, Work & Student Visas

Planning to Russia? Check out the most types of visas to Russia.

Well, Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of area. Moscow, the capital city of Russia happens to be one of the biggest cities in the world.

This is a transcontinental nation that lies within the Eastern part of Europe and the Northern part of Asia. More than 3 quarters of the population (around 77%) of Russia lives within the European part.

Known for its unique and awe-inspiring architecture, below-freezing temperatures, glorious literature, and beautiful nature the country of Russia is quite popular among tourists, lovers of history and literature, nature lovers, and photographers.

This nation is also famous for its top-class academic studies, research, and teaching and training. Russia is home to some of the top-ranked universities in the world including the Lomonosov Moscow State University. The number of international students drawn to this amazing nation continues to grow year after year.

Types Of Visas To Russia, Moscow Saint Basils Cathedral. Photo Courtesy pompei-hotels.com

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Why Choose Russia

Like any other country in the world, you require a visa to travel to this amazing nation. The visa policy of this country is quite strict. There are a few countries in the world that comes under the Russian visa-free regime which means you can travel to Russia without a visa if you belong to one of those nations.

However, if you are from a country that does not fall into Russia’s visa-free category you require a visa to travel to this country.

Visa-free entry to this country for a maximum of 72 hours is also permitted to ferry passengers and cruise ships through specific ports. A transit visa is not mandatory for international travellers transiting through several airports in Russia. Diplomatic visa holders of specific nations are also exempted from the requirement of a visa to travel to this country.

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Types Of Visas To Russia You Can Avail

Let’s take a look at some of the more popular types of visas to Russia.

The validity of visas is for a fixed period which mostly depends on the invitation received or the duration of travel/stay/work/course of study. Depending on the requirements of the applicant the authorities could grant the person a single-entry/ double-entry/ multiple-entry visa. The different types of visas to Russia are broadly classified into three.

Ordinary Visas to Russia
Diplomatic Visa to Russia
Service Visa to Russia

Depending on the number of times you intend to enter the country you’ll be granted a:

Single-entry visa
Double-entry visa
Multiple-entry visa

Types Of Visas To Russia – Ordinary Visas

The following are some of the ordinary visas, one of the sought after types of visas to Russia.

Private Visa/ Visitor’s Visa

The Visitor’s Visa/ Private Visas are issued to foreign nationals who intend to visit their relatives/friends in Russia.

Validity could be anywhere between 1 to 3 months
One-time entry
You must have a certificate of a personal invitation to apply from a Russian resident
This certificate should be issued by the Department of Passport and Visa Services (Ministry of Internal Affairs)
A minimum of 45 days and a maximum of 90 days to get this visa
You’ll receive the original visa through mail

Business Visa To Russia

Foreigners who intend to travel to Russia for business require a business visa to do so. This visa may be used for the following purposes.

For business
Meetings with business partners
For signing a contract
For conducting negotiations

However, you cannot use this visa to be officially employed in Russia.

Business visa invitations are processed by authorized persons from the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Russia
This visa may be a single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visa depending on the applicant’s requirement
The Single-entry visa and double entry visa may be valid for 1 month or up to 3 months
The Multiple-entry visa could be valid for 3 months, 6 months, or up to 12 months
Business visas may also be used for a purpose other than business
This visa would be suitable if you have to be in Russia one or more times for a specific period

Tourist Visa To Russia

Foreigners who wish to travel to Russia as a tourist require a tourist visa to do so. Obviously, this is one of the most popular types of visas to Russia.

This is the most popular of all types of visas to Russia
This is the cheapest visa and also the easiest one to get
The visa will be issued only if you have an invitation letter from a legal tour operator in Russia.
The tour operator must be registered under the Department of Consular Services (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia)
You also need to produce proof of confirmed accommodation
The maximum time allowed under this visa is 30 days
This visa permits either a single-entry and exit or double-entry and exit
You cannot extend tourist visas to Russia

Student Visa To Russia

International students who wish to pursue a degree or diploma in Russia require a student visa to do so.

To apply for this visa you require a letter of invitation from an authorized University/college/school in Russia
This is a single-entry visa
The duration of the visa will be based on the duration of the particular course you’ve chosen

Work Visa To Russia

Foreigners who wish to move to Russia for employment for a certain period require a work visa to do so.

This visa is quite complex and the most expensive of all visas
This is mandatory for all foreign nationals who wish to be employed permanently in Russia
There are mainly two types of work visas: Single-entry visa and multiple-entry visa
The Single-Entry visa issued by the Russian consulate and is valid for a maximum of 90 days
You require a Work Visa Invitation to apply for a Single-Entry visa
The Multiple Entry visa is issued based on your Single-Entry visa
The maximum validity of this visa will be 1 year
This visa is issued by the Russian Migration Police local office
A new type of work visa to Russia was introduced in 2010: Work Visa for Highly Qualified Specialists
This visa is valid for a maximum of 3 years
However, the salary of these specialists in Russia should be above 2 million rubles per annum
A work visa may be issued in 100 days (As a rule)
The average cost of a work visa will be around 80000 ruble
You can extend your work visa while still in Russia
You can get it by producing your legal work permit for the new term at the local office of the Migration police

Humanitarian Visa

Russian Humanitarian Visas are granted to foreign nationals who intend to travel to Russia for specific reasons including the following.

Cultural event
Political event
Sports meet
Scientific event
Pilgrimage
Charitable activities
Religious events and communication
Humanitarian causes
Delivering aid

Transit Visa To Russia

Foreigners who wish to transit through Russia to reach their desired destination require a Transit visa to do so. You do not require a transit visa in case your layover is less than 24 hours and you stay within the premises of the international airport.

For travelers who are traveling through Russia to another country
The visa is valid for a maximum of 72 hours
This can be a single-entry/double-entry visa
This is a low-cost visa that’s quite easy to get
Will be issued by the Consulate on presenting valid travel documents

Visa For Cruise Passengers

Passengers on a cruise ship are entitled to a visa-waiver scheme if their stop in one of the ports in Russia does not exceed 72 hours. Their overnight stay should be on the cruise ship.

Cruise ship passengers do not require a visa to disembark their ship if they are a part of a tour group organized by a legal tour company. I case the foreign national is not a part of such a tour group she/he will need to get a Russian tourist visa beforehand from their native country/ country of residence. You won’t be issued a visa in Russia.

Types Of Visas To Russia – e-Visas

Russia e-Visas are issued to foreign nationals belonging to specific nations. The nations are:

Algeria
Bahrain
Brunei
China
India
Iran
Japan
North Korea
Kuwait
Mexico
Morocco
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Tunisia
Turkey
United Arab Emirates

People from these nations can only visit the Russian Far East regions using this visa. The validity of this visa is for 7 days.

Exit Visa

Foreign nationals whose visa expires before leaving Russia must apply for a Russia Exit Visa. Only then will they be permitted to leave the country. An exit visa is granted in the following situations.

You’ve lost your passport
Your visa has expired

To get this visa you need to approach your native country’s embassy in Russia. The maximum time taken to obtain this visa is 20 days.

Types Of Visas To Russia – Diplomatic Visa

A Diplomatic Visa is issued to foreign nationals who hold a diplomatic passport. This includes the following.

Heads of the Nation
Heads of the government
Heads of the State
Official delegates

Types Of Visas To Russia – Service Visa To Russia

The Service Visa to Russia is issued to those foreign nationals who hold a special/ official/consular/ passport. This visa is issued to:

Personnel of diplomatic missions (technical/service/administrative)
Members belonging to official delegations

Given below are some of the general steps that you need to follow while applying for a visa to Russia.

Obtain an Invitation
Apply in person at the Russian Visa Processing Centre/ Russian Consulate in your country
Duly fill and submit your visa application online
Attach all the necessary supporting documents
Pay the requires visa fee
Register your Visa within 7 days of arriving in Russia
Get Your Immigration Card (If migrating to Russia)

Documents Required

The following are some of the documents that are required while applying for a visa to Russia.

A valid passport
Application form for the specific visa
Proof of residence (When you are not applying from your native country)
Recent photographs
Invitation letter (Visa Support)
Proof of financial stability (A valid bank statement)
Medical/health certificates
Health insurance
Employer’s letter
Copies of return tickets

On average a minimum of 10 days is required to process visa applications to Russia. However, the processing time could be anywhere between 7 to 20 working days. In case you are in a hurry to get a visa you can choose to apply for expedited processing and you’ll get your visa within 3 working days.

Most Popular Types Of Visas To Russia