To get a Tourist Visa to Russia you should submit the following paperwork to the Consulate:
If you are going to visit Russia to stay with your relatives or friends you should first obtain an official invitation (Приглашение) and only then apply for a Private visa. We only accept original invitation documents issued by an appropriate Russian Federation Migration Service branch. To obtain such an invitation your relatives or friends are to present to the said branch a photocopy of your passport and personal data. Having received this invitation you should apply to the Consulate submitting the following paperwork:
A business visa is required in case you wish to enter Russia on business, to work or study in Russia. The following documents should be submitted to the Consulate:
If you are going to transit via Russia to any other country you need a Transit Visa. However, a Transit Visa is not required if you remain in the transit zone of the airport in order to catch an onward or connecting flight within 24 hours of arrival. Transit visas are normally valid for maximum of 3 days. In order to apply for a Transit visa you will require:
Before making an application by post you should first consider the following points:
Before making an application in person you should first consider the following points:
Q1 — Can I get my money back if I withdraw my application?
No. Visa fees are paid for consideration of the application and are not refundable.
Q2 — Do I need to submit original documents in support of my application?
Original documents are preferable. We are willing to consider photocopied or faxed documents, but we reserve the right to request originals if the need arises. The invitation should be presented at the time the application is made. Do not send invitation and sponsorship letters to the Visa Section before an application has been submitted. Without the file reference which is allocated when we receive an application we cannot ensure that correspondence is attached to the appropriate file.
Q3 — Can I pay in any other currency or by cheque or by credit card?
No. Regrettably, we only accept payment in British Pounds either as cash with personal applications or as postal orders with postal applications.
Q4 — Can I get a Russian visa in my British passport if I hold two citizenships (Russian and British)?
No. According to the Russian Citizenship act, Russia does not recognize citizenship of other countries held by Russian citizens. All Russian citizens, regardless of holding British or any other passport, must enter Russia only with valid Russian travel document (usually passport). If a person does not have a valid Russian identity document, he should get one from the Russian Consulate. If a person quit Russian citizenship or left the USSR/Russia for good before February, 6, 1992 without acquiring Russian citizenship, we kindly ask to present relevant evidence.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Visa applications cannot be accepted if the passport-holder is not present in the country where the application is to be made.
Individual applications made in person or by a courier or other representative are normally considered on the day they are received in the Visa Section.
The Consulate and Visa Section is normally open to the public from Monday to Friday excluding the following Russian public holidays:
It may occasionally be necessary to close the section for operational reasons in addition to the dates listed above.
A Reciprocal Health Care Agreement is in operation between the UK and Russia. This entitles UK citizens to free emergency treatment in a Russian hospital. However, it is advisable that travellers take out full insurance cover for medical treatment and accidents.
You may import into the country up to $10,000 (or equivalent) without declaring it. You may export from the country up to $3,000 without declaring it. If you export from the country a sum of money over $3,000 and up to $10,000 it must be declared on departure.
If you import into the country a sum of money over $10,000 or certain categories of goods such as more costly electrical items, jewellery/antiquites and valuable musical instruments you must complete a customs declaration form (available at all ports of entry) on arrival.
If you are exporting from the country a sum of over $10,000 you must provide documentary proof that you either imported it into the country or have legally obtained it whilst in the country.
If you wish to import certain sophisticated electronic items (e.g. Global Positioning System instruments), you must get an operating licence from the Russian authorities before you travel. If you are unsure whether you should declare an item or need an operating license you should check with the Russian Embassy before your departure.
If you complete a declaration form you must ensure that it is stamped by a Customs official at your port of entry or it will not be valid. If you fail to complete a declaration form on arrival or to get it validated by Customs officials your foreign currency and non-declared items may be confiscated when you leave Russia and you may be fined.
Please note that all animal-derived products (including food) can only be imported, in any quantities, including hand luggage and checked-in luggage, with a written permission of the State Veterinary Inspection.
See www.customs.ru for more information.
Visitors should be registered within 3 working days of arrival in Russia with the local branch of the Migration Service. Most major hotels will do this automatically. Visitors need not be registered if their visits last less than three days.
Russian companies that wish to employ foreign labour in Russia must apply for a general permit to do so. General permits are issued by regional divisions of the Ministry of Ethnic and Migration Policy and are issued for one year, which may be extended on request. For each individual foreign national, a Russian company requires a “confirmation” of the right to work which is, in effect, a personal work permit. Certain categories of employees are not covered by these requirements, including employees of foreign embassies, scientists and artists working in institutions established in accordance with international agreements, journalists accredited in Russia, crew members of ships and boats, and students on study internships.
Work permits are issued by regional subdivisions of the Federal Migration Service and the exact terms and conditions may therefore vary from region to region (see FMS Moscow official site (in Russian only) . The documents to be submitted with the work permit include:
Individuals who are employed by representative offices of foreign companies may apply to the registration body where the representative office is accredited for their own personal accreditation — for example, the State Registration (SRC) will accredit a representative office and will usually allow that representative office to accredit up to five individuals. On application this number may be increased.
Personal accreditation confirms the official status of a representative office's employee and gives that individual the right to work in Russia without needing a separate personal work permit from the Federal Migration Service. Family members of employees may also be granted personal accreditation. The validity of personal accreditation is linked to the term of accreditation of the representative office and thus personal accreditation may be extended only after the accreditation of the representative office of a foreign company is extended.