|
|
Print
Friendly Version 
REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS TO OBTAIN VISA TO ENTER RUSSIA
Business
Visa or Invited Guest Visa
-
Passport,
signed, (valid for at least one month beyond departure from Russia) required to be submitted,
not a photocopy
- 1 Visa
Application Form, fully completed and signed
- Application
Form (for
US, UK and Georgian citizens)
- Application
Form (for NON-US citizens)
- The Application Form must be completed in CAPITALS
-
-
1 Completed
itinerary form (This form prints in ADOBE PDF format,
on TDS letterhead and addressed to the "Embassy of the Russian
Federation).
-
FOR BUSINESS, RELIGIOUS AND INVITED GUEST VISAS:
A scan or legible copy of your official letter of invitation is required. Please note that the Embassy reserves the right to request the original invitation at any point of your visa processing time.
Your Hosting company or organization in Russian must request your letter of invitation through the Russian Ministry of Interior or Authorized Russian issuing agency appointed by the Russian Government.
Your visa will reflect the dates as well as number of entries specified on your letter of invitation. The invitation must bear an official signed seal of the authorized issuing Ministry of the Russian Government.
TDS can assist in obtaining your letter of invitation in a timely fashion. To request this service, please print and complete the following Invitation Order Form. Completing this form, helps TDS assure the most accurate dates and number of return entries for your visa request. Please include along with your completed documents.
The process of your visa will begin on the day that TDS has received your invitation.
Note for religious visa requests, the letter of invitation can only be issued through the Russian Religion Foreign Ministry by way of your inviting organization in Russia
FOR STUDENT, TEACHER, OR EMPLOYMENT VISAS:
A recent HIV Test result showing that you have tested negative is required. This may be a copy of either the actual lab results or a written letter (on letter head) from the doctor explaining that you have been tested.
Applicant must submit an ORIGINAL official letter of invitation
Issued through the school or university by the Educational Ministry of the Russian Government. Or by the company of which you will be employed by the Russian Labor of the Foreign Ministry. The letter of invitation must bear an official signed seal of the authorized Russian foreign agency/government. Your visa will be issued according to the dates specified on your letter of invitation.
The visa is usually valid for a 90 stay, but an extension can be requested once in Russia through your hosting organization. (It is best to apply for this extension the day after you arrive in Russia.)
Please Note: You may enter the Russian Federation only after five business days from the visa Issue Date (top left of the visa.) Your visa will have an Entry Date and Expiry Date (top middle of the visa) - you may enter anytime on or after the entry date, but prior to the visa's Expiry Date. Please keep this in mind, when planning your dates of travel and departure from the US.
- NON-U.S. CITIZENS: Should submit a photocopy of your medical insurance card and also provide proof of legal status in the USA (Permanent Resident Card, or I-94 etc., Form I-20)
Processing
Instructions
Please
forward the completed requirements detailed above to:
TRAVEL DOCUMENT
SYSTEMS, INC.,
925 Fifteenth Street N.W. Suite 300
Washington D.C. 20005
Processing time commences when all correct documents have been received by the Consulate. Your application
will be checked and hand carried to the Russian Federation Consulate;
normal processing time is 6 to 7 days.
Fees
- TDS Service Fee:
- $50.00 Visa Issued in 6 to 7 Days
- $75.00 Visa Issued in 3 to 4 Business Days
- Embassy/Consular Fee: ( Single Entry Visa )
- $131.00 Per Visa - 6 to 7 Days
- $250.00 Per Visa - 3 to 4 Business Days
-
- Embassy/Consular Fee: ( Double Entry Visa )
- $131.00 Per Visa - 6 to 7 Days
- $250.00 Per Visa - 3 to 4 Business Days
-
- Embassy/Consular Fees: ( Multiple Entry Visa )
- $150.00 Per Visa - 6 to 7 Days
- $450.00 Per Visa -3 to 4 Business Days
-
Note: The processing times above are estimates only and may be extended by the Embassy without notice during busy periods.
-
Include
credit card authorization, a check or money order payable
to "Travel Document Systems, Inc." for
TDS Handling Fee, Embassy Consular Fee, and return
Shipping Fee.
Return Postage
Continental USA Only -
$23.00 FedEx (Next Business Day - up to 3 passports)
$26.00 FedEx (Next Business Day - 4 or more passports)
$39.00 FedEx (Saturday Delivery)
Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, USVI -
$39.00 FedEx Next Day Letter (No Saturday Delivery)
Review Application form for Common Problems:
- Question 1-7 must be answered by all applicants
- Question 8 is to be answered if you knowwhat kind of visa you're requesting
- Question 12 is to be answered if you've already visited Russia
- Question 15 is to be answered if you have Medical Insurance valid in Russia. You should put the policy number and insurance company name.
- Question 16 is to be answered if you are traveling with children included in your passport. A child having their own passport must apply for a visa separately.
- Question 18-21 must be answered by all applicants
Informational Notes
for Business Visa
- The
invitation must be from a Russian company or organization
and not from a representation office of a foreign company
there. Please make sure that your inviting company
is duly registered in Russia and is not a 100% foreign
investment company. Travelers name and the name of
the inviting organization must be clearly stated on
the invitation as well as the dates of your visit and
cities to be visited. Handwritten invitations or those
which appear to have been altered in any way are not
accepted.
- Invitations
to Russia issued by Russian organizations must be
processed through the Russian Ministry of Interior.
- It is recommended that you carry copies of your visa support with you to Russia. You must register your visa at a local OVIR or Police Station within 72 hours of arrival in Russia.
- If the visa
support invitation or telex has been sent by Interior Ministry telex directly
to the Russian Consular office in Washington DC, please note that
no processing begins on the application until the Embassy confirms
receipt.
- Your passport
must have at least six months remaining validity and contain at
least one blank visa page for visa to be issued. TDS can assist
with obtaining U.S.
Passports, whether new issue, renewal, or obtaining additional
visa pages for a valid passport.
- Special requirements
exist for U.S. Official and Diplomatic
Passport Holders
REGISTER YOUR TRIP:
The U.S. Department of State encourages all American travelers to register with their local Embassy or Consulate when arriving in a foreign country. Registration helps the Embassy to provide important services for American citizens residing or traveling abroad. Some of these services include:
-
Locating individuals in cases of family or personal emergencies,
-
Relaying important travel and safety information about the region,
-
Arranging evacuation transportation in cases of natural disaster or civil unrest,
-
Issuing replacement passports when originals are lost, and
-
A number of other administrative services relating to personal documentation.
Without the information provided through registration, the Embassy is severely hindered in its ability to provide these services. Many of these services involve emergency situations and time constraints, therefore failure to register will almost certainly lead to delays at moments when you can least afford them.
INFORMATION
AND FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
REVISED 01/2009
|
|
|
