Russian diplomatic mission

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria — Consular Section

Abuja, Nigeria 🇳🇬

Reviewed by Anna Petrova, Certified Immigration Consultant (CIC)

Last verified: 21 Sept 2026

Anna Petrova
Content version 2

Consulate contact & hours

Official site
Address
Plot 1119, Constitution avenue, Central Business District, Abuja
Hours
Monday 09:00–12:00: consular legalization, student visa, humanitarian visa; Tuesday 09:00–12:00: consular legalization, student visa, business visa; Wednesday 09:00–12:00: consular legalization, student visa, humanitarian visa; Thursday 09:00–12:00: private visa, tourist visa, employment visa; Friday 09:00–12:00: passport, citizenship, police-clearance certificate, notarial services; Monday–Friday 12:00–13:00: collection of documents, including Russian visas.
Jurisdiction and reception rules are set by the mission. Always confirm the current address, hours and appointment requirements on the official website before visiting.

Applying for a Russian visa in Abuja

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria — Consular Section processes Russian visa applications for travellers in its consular district. The supporting document is determined by visa category: tourist confirmation, business or humanitarian invitation/MFA route, private invitation, study or work documents, while transit uses onward-travel evidence instead of an invitation. Apply in person at the Russian Embassy in Abuja; the official mission states that a Russian visa must be applied for in person and warns against relying on agents or consultants. The exact consular fee depends on nationality and category.

View official supporting-document guidance

Official visa fees for Nigerian citizens

Source schedule: 15 July 2024

The Embassy's published schedule is specifically for Nigerian citizens. Regular processing is 4–20 working days; express processing is 3 working days.

VisaRegularExpress
Single entryNGN 121,000NGN 242,000
Double entryNGN 193,500NGN 387,000
Multiple entryNGN 363,000NGN 725,500
Visa transfer from an expired passportNGN 72,500—

Fees can change. Reconfirm the applicable amount and payment method before filing.

Open the official Embassy fee schedule

Supporting document by visa category

Tourist

Tourist acceptance confirmation from an eligible issuer; a narrow accommodation-booking alternative applies only where the official rule allows it.

Business / humanitarian

Use the invitation or MFA decision route listed in the official Russian MFA category guidance.

Private

Use the private-visa supporting-document route listed in the official Russian MFA category guidance.

Study

Use the study-visa MIA invitation route and additional documents listed in the responsible Russian mission's official checklist.

Work

Use the work-visa MIA invitation route and additional documents listed in the responsible Russian mission's official checklist.

Transit

No invitation; use the onward-travel documents listed by the published transit rule.

Visa types issued

Russia issues the following visa categories to foreign nationals. The right one depends on the purpose of your trip — open a category for the Nigeria-specific requirements, fees and how to apply.

Tourist Visa

Leisure travel & sightseeing

Supporting documents: Confirmation of acceptance of a foreign tourist from an eligible issuer. The accommodation-booking alternative applies only to nationalities and cases expressly covered by the published official rule.
Validity: As stated on the issued visa
Business Visa

Meetings, negotiations, contracts

Supporting documents: MIA invitation, MFA invitation or MFA decision, as applicable. A direct written request is accepted only when an applicable international agreement expressly allows it.
Validity: As stated on the issued visa
Private Visa

Visiting relatives or friends

Supporting documents: MIA invitation or the limited close-relative statement route described in the official Russian MFA category guidance.
Validity: As stated on the issued visa
Work Visa

Employment in Russia

Supporting documents: Invitation issued through the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). Passport-validity, medical-certificate and other requirements vary by mission, duration and multiplicity; use the responsible Russian mission's current work checklist.
Validity: As stated on the issued visa
Student Visa

Study at a Russian institution

Supporting documents: Invitation issued through the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). Passport-validity, medical-certificate and other requirements vary by mission, duration and multiplicity; use the responsible Russian mission's current study checklist.
Validity: As stated on the issued visa
Transit Visa

Passing through Russia

Supporting documents: No invitation is required. Onward tickets. Destination or transit visa, or passport documents, as applicable.
Validity: Verify with the responsible Russian mission
Humanitarian Visa

Culture, sport, science, religion

Supporting documents: MIA invitation, MFA invitation or MFA decision, as applicable. A direct written request is accepted only when an applicable international agreement expressly allows it.
Validity: Varies

Documents required

Use the responsible mission's current official checklist before applying:

  • Open the responsible mission's official checklist for your visa category and passport.
  • Use the current official application form and the document format specified by that mission.
  • Verify category-specific supporting documents, insurance, fees and appointment rules before submission.

How to apply, step by step

  1. 1

    Check the official category requirements

    Open the current checklist published by the responsible Russian mission for your visa category, passport and residence.

  2. 2

    Complete the application form

    Fill in the official visa application form for the consulate that serves your country of residence.

  3. 3

    Prepare your documents

    Prepare exactly the documents and formats named in the responsible mission's current official checklist.

  4. 4

    Use the official intake channel

    Submit through the consulate or authorised visa centre named by the responsible Russian mission.

  5. 5

    Collect your visa

    Follow the mission's payment, processing and document-return instructions.

How direct submission works

Intake arrangements are mission- and visa-category-specific. Confirm the current submission channel, appointment process and any service fee on the responsible Russian mission's official page. Here are the practical steps to plan for when direct submission is available.

  1. Step 1
    Prepare your documents

    Assemble the documents listed by the responsible mission for your visa type, including the applicable category-specific supporting document.

  2. Step 2
    Book an appointment

    Where the consulate works by appointment, reserve a slot through its booking system early — slots can fill up well in advance.

  3. Step 3
    Follow the mission's submission rule

    Use the submission channel published by the responsible mission. Do not assume that representative or postal filing is accepted.

  4. Step 4
    Give biometrics (if required)

    Confirm whether the responsible mission requires an in-person biometric step for your application and where it is performed.

  5. Step 5
    Pay the consular fee

    The fee is paid directly to the consulate, usually on submission. The amount depends on nationality, visa type and processing speed.

  6. Step 6
    Collect your passport

    Pick up the passport with the visa once processing is done. Standard timelines vary; expedited service may be available for a higher fee.

Direct submission — your questions

How does direct document submission at the Russian consulate work?

Direct submission means you lodge your visa application with the Russian consulate itself rather than through an intermediary. Prepare the documents listed by that mission for your category, including the applicable category-specific supporting document, book an appointment where required, submit the file and fee, then collect the passport after a decision. The consulate that serves your district in Abuja, Nigeria is the responsible office.

Do I have to apply in person, or can someone submit on my behalf?

Apply in person at the Russian Embassy in Abuja; the official mission states that a Russian visa must be applied for in person and warns against relying on agents or consultants.

Do I need an appointment to submit documents directly?

Some consulates work strictly by appointment booked through their online system, others accept walk-ins during fixed reception hours. Because appointment slots can fill up well in advance, plan early and confirm the booking procedure on the consulate's official page.

How do I pay the consular fee for a direct submission?

The amount, payment method and payment timing depend on the responsible mission, nationality, visa category and processing option. Use that mission's current official fee and payment instructions. If the mission directs applicants to a named visa center, confirm any separate service fee through the official source it identifies before filing.

Is biometric data collected when applying directly?

Biometric requirements, where applicable, are determined by the responsible Russian mission and the applicant's circumstances. Confirm whether an in-person biometric step applies to you and where it is performed before your appointment.

Where do I submit if there is no visa center in Abuja, Nigeria?

No separate visa application center is listed for Abuja, Nigeria. Confirm the current submission channel and appointment process on the responsible Russian mission's official page before applying.

Requirements and procedures vary by consulate and change over time — always confirm the current rules on the official consulate website before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Russian consulate in Abuja?

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria — Consular Section is located at Plot 1119, Constitution avenue, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria.

What are the opening hours of the Russian consulate in Abuja?

Consular reception hours: Monday 09:00–12:00: consular legalization, student visa, humanitarian visa; Tuesday 09:00–12:00: consular legalization, student visa, business visa; Wednesday 09:00–12:00: consular legalization, student visa, humanitarian visa; Thursday 09:00–12:00: private visa, tourist visa, employment visa; Friday 09:00–12:00: passport, citizenship, police-clearance certificate, notarial services; Monday–Friday 12:00–13:00: collection of documents, including Russian visas.. Hours can change on Russian and local public holidays, so confirm on the official website before visiting.

Can I apply for a Russian visa at a visa center instead of the consulate in Abuja?

No separate visa application center is listed here. Check the responsible Russian mission's official website for the current submission channel and appointment process.

Do I need an invitation letter to apply at the Russian consulate in Abuja?

Supporting documents depend on the visa category. Tourist, business or humanitarian, private, study, work and transit applications use different evidence under the official Russian MFA category guidance. The current official eVisa guidance does not require an invitation.

How much is a Russian visa for a Nigerian citizen in Abuja?

The Embassy's official schedule dated 15 July 2024 lists Nigerian-citizen fees of NGN 121,000 / 242,000 for single entry, NGN 193,500 / 387,000 for double entry and NGN 363,000 / 725,500 for multiple entry (regular / express). Visa transfer from an expired passport is NGN 72,500. Regular processing is 4–20 working days and express processing is 3 working days. Reconfirm the current schedule before filing.

Official sources

Always verify current requirements with official sources before applying or travelling.