Russian visa types
Russia issues several categories of visa depending on the purpose of your trip. Below is what each one is for, whether it needs an invitation, and how long it lasts.
Unified e-Visa
- Purpose
- Eligible tourism, business or events (online)
- Invitation
- No invitation under the published eVisa rule
- Validity / stay
- 30 days maximum stay, 120 days validity, 1 entry
Tourist Visa
- Purpose
- Leisure travel & sightseeing
- Invitation
- Tourist acceptance or eligible accommodation confirmation
- Validity / stay
- Validity and entries depend on the issued visa
Business Visa
- Purpose
- Meetings, negotiations, contracts
- Invitation
- Business invitation (FMS / Telex / MFA)
- Validity / stay
- As stated on the issued visa
Private Visa
- Purpose
- Visiting relatives or friends
- Invitation
- Private invitation via GUVM
- Validity / stay
- As stated on the issued visa
Work Visa
- Purpose
- Employment in Russia
- Invitation
- Work permit + employer invitation
- Validity / stay
- As stated on the issued visa
Student Visa
- Purpose
- Study at a Russian institution
- Invitation
- University invitation
- Validity / stay
- As stated on the issued visa
Transit Visa
- Purpose
- Passing through Russia
- Invitation
- Onward ticket & destination visa
- Validity / stay
- Verify with the responsible Russian mission
Humanitarian Visa
- Purpose
- Culture, sport, science, religion
- Invitation
- Inviting organisation
- Validity / stay
- Varies
E-Visa vs Tourist vs Business visa
The three most common routes compared side by side. The right choice depends on your nationality, how long you are staying, and your purpose of travel.
| Unified e-Visa | Tourist visa | Business visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Short eligible tourism, business or event trips | Leisure travel and sightseeing | Meetings, negotiations and commercial visits |
| Supporting document | No invitation under the published eVisa rule | Tourist acceptance or eligible accommodation confirmation | Category-specific business invitation |
| Stay duration | 30 days | As stated on the issued visa | As stated on the issued visa |
| Entries | 1 entry | As stated on the issued visa | As stated on the issued visa |
| Validity | 120 days | As stated on the issued visa | As stated on the issued visa |
| How to apply | Online at evisa.kdmid.ru | Responsible Russian mission or visa centre | Responsible Russian mission or visa centre |
| Official fee | Shown on the MFA portal | Verify with the responsible mission | Verify with the responsible mission |
| Who can use it | Citizens of 65 eligible states | Applicants who meet the mission's requirements | Applicants who meet the mission's requirements |
Which one applies to you?
The route depends on your nationality. Open your country guide to see exactly what you need.
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