Russian Visa and Arrival Information

Travel in Russia has become more easier than ever. However, all the visitors require a visa that needs to be obtained in advance, as they are not sold at the airport on arrival.

A visa to the Russian Federation is a document attached to your passport that permits a stay in Russia for a specific period of time. The visa lists the entry/exit dates, your name, passport details, and the purpose of travel. Please be aware that your Russian visa is an exit permit just like it’s an entry permit: if you lose it or stay over your designated departure date, leaving the country could be more troublesome than entering it.

There are three types of visa:

Tourist visa - Single entry, valid up to 1 month and double entry, valid up to 1 month

Business visa - Single entry, valid up to 3 months, double entry, valid up 3 months and multiple entries, valid for 1 year.

Private visa - Valid up to 3months, based only on private invitation from relatives / friends in Russia.

All visas can be applied for in person at the Russian Consulate in London, by post or by the use of an agency. If you feel deterred by the complications of the visa process, then it is easier to let an agency do the hard work for you. There are many to chose from across the Internet.

Migration Card - an entry / exit document issued by the airline or carrier for the purpose of migration control. This is required for all foreign nationals entering Russia.

What to do on arrival in the Russian Federation - This section is a general guide to the immigration and registration process.