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
- Tourism, business or events (online)
- Invitation
- Not required
- Validity / stay
- Up to 30-day stay, valid 120 days, single entry
Tourist Visa
- Purpose
- Leisure travel & sightseeing
- Invitation
- Tourist confirmation & voucher
- Validity / stay
- Up to 30 days (single/double); US citizens up to 3 years
Business Visa
- Purpose
- Meetings, negotiations, contracts
- Invitation
- Business invitation (FMS / Telex / MFA)
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days; multiple-entry up to 1 year
Private Visa
- Purpose
- Visiting relatives or friends
- Invitation
- Private invitation via GUVM
- Validity / stay
- Up to 90 days; up to 3-year multiple
Work Visa
- Purpose
- Employment in Russia
- Invitation
- Work permit + employer invitation
- Validity / stay
- Up to 1 year, renewable
Student Visa
- Purpose
- Study at a Russian institution
- Invitation
- University invitation
- Validity / stay
- Duration of the study programme
Transit Visa
- Purpose
- Passing through Russia
- Invitation
- Onward ticket & destination visa
- Validity / stay
- Up to 3-10 days
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 online trips (tourism, business or events) | Leisure travel & sightseeing | Meetings, negotiations, contracts |
| Invitation needed | No invitation required | Tourist confirmation & voucher | Business invitation (MFA / Telex / GUVM) |
| Stay duration | Up to 30 days | Up to 30 days (US: up to 3 years) | Up to 90 days per 180 |
| Entries | Single entry | Single / double | Single / double / multiple |
| Validity | 120 days from issue | Matches trip dates | Up to 1 year |
| How to apply | Fully online at evisa.kdmid.ru | Consulate or visa centre | Consulate or visa centre |
| Approx. cost | ~USD 52 consular fee | Consular fee + invitation (~USD 16–20) | Consular fee + invitation (varies) |
| Who can use it | Citizens of 64 eligible countries | Most nationalities | Most nationalities |
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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