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Learn more about the government fees, entry, and validity options for Russia Humanitarian Visas

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Document Requirements

These requirements are applicable for Non-US Citizens applying for a Russian Humanitarian visa in New York

Russian Humanitarian Visa OverviewRussian Humanitarian Visa Overview

The Humanitarian visa type which is a subcategory of a Russian business visa is issued to NON-U.S citizens, traveling to Russia with the purpose of religious missions or missionary programs, church visits, humanitarian relief, charity events and organizations, cultural or political exchange, sports events, and scientific or technical purposes.

The Humanitarian visa is issued on the basis of the applicant having received an Original Official invitation issued by the Russian Federal Migration Service (FMS) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) that has been applied for by the inviting host or organization.

The first step with any Russian humanitarian visa is to obtain your Letter of Invitation, this document must be in hand before you start your visa application form as information from your Letter of Invitation is needed to answer several questions on the Russian visa application form.


PassportPassport

Please send TDS your current valid and SIGNED passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expiration of the visa you are applying for, and MUST have at least TWO blank pages that are listed as VISA pages. Foreign Embassies cannot issue a visa on a page not labeled as a Visa page. Amendment and Endorsement pages in the back of the passport cannot be used for issuance of a visa.
A visa cannot be stamped on a page even if only one Small Stamp is on the visa page. If your passport is NOT valid for at least 6 months beyond of the expiration date of your visa, you must renew your passport and then we will secure your visa with the new passport.

PhotoPhoto

Please send 2 recent professional passport-type photographs.
The photographs must have been taken within the last six months.
Digital and non-passport photographs are not acceptable.
Passport Photo Guide - Click Here

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Proof of US StatusProof of US Status

Photocopy of Alien Registration Card (Green Card) -or- evidence of legal status in USA (valid visa plus I-94 in passport).

Rush and Emergency ProcessingRush and Emergency Processing

The Russian Embassy will not consider Rush or Emergency processing for any type of multiple entry visa six months, one year, three years.
Rush or Emergency processing will only be considered on a case by case bases for a single entry visa.
 
In order to request rush or emergency processing times, you MUST provide a copy of your itinerary indicating the need for rush, emergency processing.
A copy of a  flight itinerary is NOT required for regular processing.
 
Please note that the issuance of rush or emergency processing is at the sole discretion of the Russian Embassy/Consulate.

Letter of InvitationLetter of Invitation

An Original Official Letter of Invitation issued by the Federal Migration Service (FMS) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Russia is required to apply for a Russian Humanitarian visa, you must request your host to secure an invitation on your behalf in order to apply for a visa. 

A letter of invitation is considered to be the first step in applying for a humanitarian visa to Russia.

If the official Russian visa invitation was submitted directly to the Embassy of Russia or Russian Consulate by "Telex", provide a record of the visa telex invitation number and details.

Information from the invitation is needed to complete the Russian Visa Application Form. You must have the invitation, or have the information from your host, before you can complete the Russia visa application form.

Medical InsuranceMedical Insurance

NON-U.S. CITIZENS: Submit proof of medical insurance which provides coverage for your entire stay in Russia. A copy of your medical card is acceptable.

If you are a European Union passport holder, in addition to a copy of your insurance card submit a list (Sample) of hospitals and or clinics with their Full Name, Address and Phone Number you could visit if needed in each city covered under your medical insurance plan.

Proof of DepartureProof of Departure

Please send a copy of your round trip airline tickets, or itinerary or e-ticket, or letter of confirmation from a travel agent. The itinerary must show the applicant's name, date of arrival and departure from the country, and flight information. The Embassy does not recommend purchasing your ticket prior to a visa being issued.

If Traveling for Religious PurposesIf Traveling for Religious Purposes

For religious visa requests, the letter of invitation can only be issued by the Federal Migration Service in Russia by request of your inviting organization or host in Russia.
Three year Multiple Entry Visas cannot be issued to those traveling to Russia for religious purposes, groups or organizations at this time.
Only Single, Double or 6 -12 month multiple entry visas are available for religious travel purposes.

Former Russian NationalsFormer Russian Nationals

When applying for a visa it is necessary to provide documentation that you no longer possess Russian Citizenship, such as:

Copy of USSR passport with a stamp stating you left for permanent residence abroad, dated prior to February 6th 1992.

Copy of a Visa to Israel issued prior to February 6th 1992.

Copy of a Certificate of Naturalization issued prior to 1996

Document confirming the renunciation of your Russian citizenship.

Copy of the main pages of a passport of a former USSR state, issued after February 1992.

Written statement of explanation in the case that you have no documentation.

In accordance with Russian law, visas can not be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. We remind you that in accordance to Article 12 of Russian law "On citizenship of the Russian Federation", children born to two parents who are Russian citizens automatically gain Russian citizenship regardless of the place of birth. In this case visas are not issued and they must apply for Russian citizenship or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents or obtain a Russian passport.


Former Soviet and Ukrainian CitizensFormer Soviet and Ukrainian Citizens

If you were born in a state of the former Soviet Republic or Ukraine you must supply a copy of your Soviet or Ukrainian passport along with a letter stating when you immigrated to the US.

Australian CitizensAustralian Citizens

Australian Citizens applying for a humanitarian visa must provide a detailed autobiography that has been translated into Russian.

Visa Application Preparation ServiceVisa Application Preparation Service

Visa Application Preparation

Traveldocs offers an optional Russian visa application completion service to assist our clients.
The fee for this service is $55 in addition to the service fees and government fees when applying for the visa. 

  1. Complete the simple to use Traveldocs online questionnaire.
  2. Scan and upload a copy of your valid passport and hotel confirmation and voucher.
  3. Submit the completed questionnaire.
  4. We will complete and return your visa application within 24 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays.
  5. We will contact you if any information provided is missing or incomplete.
  6. We will email you your completed Russian visa application; please proof, sign, and date the application before sending it to Traveldocs along with all other required documents for visa processing. 
If you have any questions, please contact 877-874-5104 for assistance.
This is an optional application service. 

Application FormApplication Form

Complete and Sign One Online Application Form.

For a guide to completing the Online Russian Application please Click Here

Please Note: The application must be printed on TWO sheets of paper, the Embassy/Consulate will NOT except applications on a single sheet printed back to back.

The online Russian Application functions only with Internet Explorer Versions 7.0 and above and Mozilla Firefox Versions 3.6 and above. Browsers such as Chrome and Safari are not compatible with the online Russian Application.

As part of the visa application process you will be asked to create a Application ID and answer a Security Question, you MUST save the Application ID and Security Question as you will need it should you need to access your application again online to make any changes or corrections your online visa application.

****Please print and send your Application ID and Password along with your completed and signed Russian visa application to Travel Document Systems.****

 Common Errors to Avoid

The very first question on the electronic application site asks “Country (select the country where you will be applying for your visa)”. Be sure that you select “UNITED STATES" from the dropdown menu.

Question 10: Date of Entry and Date of Departure from Russia - the dates on your visa application MUST match the dates on your Letter of Invitation. (If your invitation date of entry has already passed please call traveldocs for assistance in answering this question. 

Question 22: If applicant is applying for a Business/Humanitarian visa the applicant MUST state the hotel and full address where applicant is going to stay. If the applicant states that he/she is staying in a private residence he/she MUST include an agreement of rent. If applicant hasn't decided yet about a place to stay he/she should write the address and name of the inviting organization in Question 22.

At the end of the online Russian visa application, you will be asked to select the visa issuing office. You MUST select "Russia Visa Center WASHINGTON", "Russia Visa Center NEW YORK", or "Russia Visa Center HOUSTON" depending on which Travel Document Systems location will process your visa.

If you select the city without "Russia Visa Center" the application will not be accepted.

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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.

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.

If the visa support/invitation has been sent by the Ministry of Interior   directly to the Russian Consular office in New York, NY by Telex, please note that no processing begins on the application until the Consulate confirms receipt.

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.

Embassy requirements and fees are subject to change without prior notice.


Shipping Instructions

Please forward a printed copy of your order confirmation for a Russian Humanitarian visa for Non-US Citizens and all required documents to:

Travel Document Systems, Inc.
100 Park Avenue
Suite 1646
New York, NY 10017

Local Phone Number: 212-647-1122

Urgent applications for a Russian Humanitarian visa should be shipped to TDS using only the FedEx Company.

Please use FedEx Priority Overnight. Do NOT ship "First Overnight." This will delay the delivery of your package.

Once your order is complete, your Passport with the visa sticker/stamp will be returned to you via FedEx Overnight.

FedEx Return ShippingFedEx Logo
Continental USA Only Price
Next Business Day - up to 3 passports $36.00
Next Business Day - 4 or more passports $39.00
Saturday Delivery $41.00
Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, USVI Price
Next Day Letter (No Saturday Delivery) $39.00
International Price
Call for a quote. Call.