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Tourist Voucher Russia for visa: how to get a tourist voucher for 19$ ?

September 24, 2023

Tourist Voucher Russia: how to get a tourist voucher

The tourist voucher (also called Russian invitation letter) is a mandatory document for obtaining the classic tourist visa for Russia. The tourist voucher can be provided by the hotel, but if not, you will need to buy it. You will also need a tourist voucher, if you plan to visit several cities or stay at a private home or AirBnB in Russia.

If you need a voucher now, you can click here: get immediately a tourist voucher for 19$. For further details about tourist voucher for Russia and how it works, read the entire post.

What is a tourist voucher for Russia? Why do we need to buy it?

First of all, one of the necessary documents to obtain a tourist visa for Russia is the voucher. It is a document in Russian, issued by a hotel or a travel agency legally registered in Russia. This document therefore invites a foreign citizen to come to Russia. That is why a tourist voucher is also called a “ letter of invitation “.

Your hotel in Russia does not provide the tourist voucher for free. The hotel may sometimes send you the invitation for free. Nevertheless, I have noticed that nowadays fewer and fewer hotels offer free invitations. Indeed, after booking on Booking, I received messages from hotels inviting me to buy an invitation on their platform. Sometimes it’s a correct offer (19$), sometimes more expensive (more than 20$ per voucher for Russia).

AirBnB, friends, several hotels. If you plan to stay with a local or with friends, you should in any case have a tourist voucher for the Russian visa covering the whole duration of your stay. Besides, if you change hotels, it is the same (see below).

I need to buy a tourist invitation for the Russian visa, if I stay in:

Only one hotel: maybe . It depends on whether the hotel can provide you with a tourist voucher for free or not.
Several hotels: probably . Hotels may be able to provide you with Russian visa invitations for free, but your application with multiple invitations has to be accepted by the Consulate/ Embassy. Besides, the rule is not very precise about this. It seems that several invitations are usually refused, but readers confirm that it is accepted at the Consulate in Geneva. Therefore, if several invitations are declined, you will have to go through a purchased invitation.
AirBnb accommodation: Yes . Individuals on AirBnb cannot provide voucher for Russia tourist visa. You will therefore need to purchase a tourist voucher.
With friends/family: Yes (in the case of tourist visa).

Also read: How to get a visa for Russia?

How much does a tourist voucher for Russia cost?

I first tried several companies that provide invitations. I have already bought a Russian invitation letter for more than 40€, but that was before I knew more about how it works. 🙂

Please note. It is always the same tourist voucher regardless of the provider. Therefore, there are no better invitations than others. However, there is one important point: the agency must be properly registered in Russia to issue a valid tourist voucher.

Result of my experience: tourist voucher for Russia for 19$

Now I buy a voucher for a Russian visa for 19$ from the agency “Voyage Expo”/”Russia Support”

Tourist voucher at 19$

Comparative of tourist vouchers for Russia

After researching and trying several agencies, I finally made a comparison of the rates for a 2 week tourist voucher.

Tourist voucher Russia with detailed itinerary or detailed program

Depending on the length of stay, the tourist voucher for the Russian visa must be accompanied or not by a detailed program.

For a stay of less than 13 days

There is no need for a detailed itinerary.

For a stay between 14 and 30 days

I have already found information explaining that a “detailed itinerary” document with the voucher was mandatory to obtain the visa for Russia. Moreover, some visa agencies charge for this document a few euros in addition to the tourist voucher (also called Russian invitation letter). But where is the truth?

Official information : “if the length of stay […] exceeds 15 days, it is mandatory to present the detailed program”, source: Russian Embassy in Paris.
My experience . I never provided a detailed itinerary, even for 30-day stays, and I always got my visa.
Good to know. Usually, agencies sell the detailed program for about 10 euros extra. The agency I go through, RussiaSupport, offers it for free.

In conclusion, to make it simple, the detailed itinerary is mandatory with the tourist voucher RussiaSupport.

<= 15 days: no
> 15 days: officially yes, but it is possible to get it without the detailed itinerary.

Is it necessary to inform the hotel about the tourist voucher Russia? Will this information be checked?

No, it will not.

Concrete example. For the long answer, I will tell you my story. During my first visas for Russia, I went through a visa agency in Paris which makes thousands of visas every year. So I would deposit my passport and pick it up with a ready-made visa. I knew I needed a tourist voucher for Russia but they took care of it. Do you think they asked me where I was going to sleep? If I booked a hotel? Nothing, Niet, Nada. I finally saw on my passport the name of a hotel, which I didn’t know and where I hadn’t booked anything.

From now on, I buy my invitations to Russia myself. In the box “hotel”, I put nothing, or I leave the default option.

Once in Russia. No one comes to check if you are sleeping in the hotel you have indicated on the tourist voucher. So you can sleep with friends, at a local’s house via AirBnb or just spend the night in the train: no problem in Russia compared to the voucher. What is important, however, is the registration. This is what the hotel does when you arrive.

Tourist visa for Russia: my experience

At first, all these formalities frightened and stressed me. As time goes by (I’m now at more than 10 visas for Russia), the stress fades away. Nevertheless, I always have a small peak when I submit my file. And yet, I have never been turned down, no matter what tourist voucher (or invitation letter) I used.

Tourist voucher for Russia: AirBnb

Generally, as we have seen above, the apartments for rent on AirBnb are offered by private individuals. Therefore, they cannot offer you a tourist visa invitation for Russia. The only solution is to buy a tourist voucher on the internet for the period of your stay.

AirBnb recommends to use the company “Click2Russia.com”, as it is their partner. Disadvantages: the site is in English, the payment is in rubles and the invitation is rather expensive (about 25$). To get a tourist voucher for Russia when you stay with AirBnb, you can go through agencies that offer cheaper invitations. Indeed, the invitation will work just as well and you will save money so you can enjoy more on the spot!

Tourist voucher for Russia: Booking

The Booking.com platform is often used to book hotels abroad because it is convenient and well done. However, there are more and more hotels that do not provide the voucher with the reservation. There are other hotels that charge more than 20€ for the voucher.

Therefore, you can buy a voucher from another company for less.

Also if you are staying in several hotels, it is better to have one voucher for the whole duration of your stay. Some readers have managed to get a visa with several vouchers, but this seems to be rare.

Voucher Russia without hotel

In Russia, I don’t always sleep in a hotel or in an Airbnb because I sleep with friends or family. Likewise, there is no problem to get a Tourist Voucher for Russia without a hotel. So you can buy on the Internet a visa invitation for Russia. The invitation may mention a hotel but once you are there, you can go and sleep wherever you want!

Example of Russian Invitation letter for Russian visa

Here are some examples of Tourist Voucher for Russia:

Hope this information will help you to get a tourist voucher (or Russian invitation letter) and a tourist visa for Russia at the best price. Remember to share this page with those who might need it.

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Lately I wanted a business visa for Russia.

I tried visatorussia website. They were offering a business invitation letter for 44 euros.

I filled on their website all the information and got a paypal invoice in 10 minutes.

I paid and in less than an hour I got an email with the PDF containing the invitation letter.

I went to the Consulate and they gave me the visa.

However if you want a business visa with multiple entries then you need the original one.

I wrote an email to Fortuna Travel and asked for the original.

The cost of the shipment was of course on me.

I took the most reliable option which was DHL(24h delivery) and the next day the original invitation letter arrived at my house door.

Absolutely amazing service !

I would recommend 100%

Same here, reliable and really cheap.

Thank you for posting your opinion it conforted me in choosing this agency!

I received my invitation letter for a touristic visa in less than 30mn. Great Job!

Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guideline limiting each user to a single forums screen name.

Just to confirm, this is www.visatorussia.com?

>this is www.visatorussia.com?

I see it 42€ for a single trip

visatorussia.com yes 42eur for one-single entry tourist visa.

OP is speaking instead of visatoruss.com ...

btw in practice european russian consulates want the original of invitation letter for 1-year to 5-years multi-entries visas so even if agencies have the option to buy the PDF only cheaper it's better to buy at once the original+courier delivery as OP has experienced.

But FMS provides also up to 1-year visa invitation, with barcode by email, with no longer need for original. More expensive than just letter but no expensive courier fees on top.

I support the recommendation for Fortuna Travel.

I received a tourist visa as promised within one hour, for 9,90€. It was accepted without problem by the visa section of the Austrian consulate in Salzburg.

Completely hazzle-free

Looking to renew my expired multi-entry tourist visa, I made the mistake of contacting this company, unaware that ILS (Invisa Logistic Services LLC) does this in my city, despite the closing of the Russian consulate here. Making my intention clear, that I did not know how to renew that visa without the consulate, visatorussia took my money instead of doing the honorable thing, ie refer me to ILS. Ms. Lisitsina is the guilty party, refusing to return my money.

If you are looking for a multi-entry tourist visa, visit ILS online at www.ils-usa.com, or call at (202-827-0880, or in SF at (415) 409-3200.

yo lo acabo de hacer en visatoruss, el costo fue de 10 euros y me llego en 10 minutos para una sola entrada

Excellent service as testified by many here. Received our invoice in 10 mins. After payment by PayPal, received the invitation letter in another 10 minutes.

There was a problem with my wife's name, due to my own error. They gave me a corrected copy within 5 minutes of mailing them about it.

Service is very fast and professional. Their website also builds a lot of trust as they put out their licenses in the open and also explain why they are trustworthy, which I appreciate.

Just applied for our visa. Hopefully will get it.

Same thing for me, I did business with Fortuna Travel for a tourist visa earlier this year and everything went very well. Customer service was excellent. Like the poster above I made a mistake with the dates on my application, I contacted them and they fixed it within minutes. Later contacted them again with a question and got an impressively quick response again.

I was considering using this company to obtain the invitation letter but wasn’t 100% sure, so thanks for your reviews, now I will use their service

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Types of Visa to Russia

#Travel tips

Most foreign tourists need to obtain a Russian travel visa before visiting Russia. Depending on the purpose and length of visit one can apply for different types of visa.

Electronic Visa

Citizens of 52 countries are able to enter Russia on an electronic visa and move around all over the country. The new rules came into force on January 1, 2021. A complete list of countries for which electronic visas to Russia are available is published on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

An electronic visa can be issued for tourist, business, humanitarian and guest trips. Unlike a regular visa, an electronic one does not require a personal presence and is issued via the Internet. To obtain it, a foreigner needs to fill in a special form on the Foreign Ministry website and attach passport details and a photo. The application must be sent at least four calendar days before the expected date of travel to Russia. No need for an invitation, vouchers, or any other documents confirming the purpose of the trip.

The unified e-visa is a single entry visa. Its validity period is usually 60 days from the date of registration. At the same time, the permitted period of stay of a foreign citizen in the Russian Federation is no more than 16 days from the date of entry.

Tourist Visa

A Russian tourist visa is issued for those travelers who visit Russia for tourism purposes. This type of visa is the most popular one, as it's the least expensive and the easiest to get. Tourist visas are valid for up to 1 month and allow either a single or double entry and exit. A tourist visa cannot be extended.

To obtain a Russian tourist visa visitors should confirm accommodation and invitation from a travel agency or another organization authorized by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you book accommodation or a package tour with us, we will provide you visa support letter together with your confirmation voucher. If you book accommodation on your own, you can obtain a visa support letter from your hotel or a travel agency where you book accommodation. This letter must include a voucher with the certain dates of your stay in Russia and the address of your stay.

Business Visa

Business people can apply for a Russian business visa that can be valid for a period of up to 1 year. A Business visa can be single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry. Single-entry and double-entry visas are valid for 1 or 3 months. Multiple-entry visas are valid for 3, 6, or 12 months.

To obtain a Russian business visa a business invitation issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, by its regional representatives or special local offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is required.

Business visas can be also used for non-business purposes. This kind of visa is recommended in case you are going to visit Russia more than once within a certain period of time.

Please note that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not process applications for business visas earlier than 45 days before the first stated date of entry.

Visitor's Visa

Russia visitor's visa (it is also called a homestay or a private visa) is issued for visitors who have relatives or friends in Russia. This type of visa can be valid for a period from one day to three months. A visitor's visa can be only used for one entry.

To obtain a visitor's visa to Russia it's necessary to receive a private visa invitation from your Russian friends or relatives, issued by the local department of Passport and Visa Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The invitation should be mailed to you in original.

Please note that an invitation letter from your friends or relatives cannot be considered an official invitation valid for obtaining a visa to Russia.

Student Visa

A Student visa is required to study in the Russian Federation. Student visas are valid for the whole period of your study program. This type of visa is single-entry.

To obtain a Russian student visa, a letter of invitation from a university or school in Russia is required.

Transit Visa

Transit Visa is required for travelers who visit other countries via Russia. Transit visas are valid for not more than 72 hours and can be single-entry or double-entry.

To obtain this type of visa, visitors don't need any invitations or visa support. The Consulate will issue a transit visa provided that you present a copy of your travel documents, including a copy of your visa to the country of destination.

Transit visas are not required for lay-overs, which last less than 24 hours without leaving the international area at the airport.

Cruise Passengers

Cruise ship passengers traveling by ship from any other countriy can currently visit Russia on a visa-waiver scheme provided the stop in the port of call doesn't exceed 72 hours and tourists stay overnight onboard the cruise ship.

Cruise passengers may disembark from the ship without a tourist visa if they participate in tours organized by travel companies. Passengers not participating in tours and wishing to disembark will need to obtain a Russia tourist visa.

Cruise passengers cannot obtain a visa in Russia. Visas are issued in the country of residence before departure.

Visa Registration and Migration Cards read

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How to Get a Russian Visa: Step by Step Guide

Click Here to Start the Application Process

Which Type of Visa to Get?

If you're not sure which type of visa you need, there is a simple rule:

• If you are traveling for less than 30 days , a tourist visa is fine. • If you want to stay longer than 30 days , a business visa is better. • If you are from the US , you can get a tourist / business visa valid for 3 years , but your first visit should be less than 30 days (you can come back after). If you are still unsure which visa to get, check out our Russian Visa Types page or t weet us @waytorussia or contact us on Facebook or Instagram • There are also private and student invitations available. In order to get them, you have to contact your friends or an education institution (e.g. language schools) in Russia. Be aware that these invitations usually take about a month to process, require lots of paperwork, and the originals should be presented to the consulate. But with the student visas you get visas with unlimited stay, so it may be an advantage.

Do You Need to Know Your Itinerary?

While you have to specify the cities you are planning to visit when you are applying for visa support, they will not be written in your actual visa. So you can freely change your plans and travel and stay wherever you want.

Can You Stay Where You Want?

You can stay both in hotels and in private apartments (e.g. AirBnB). Your Russian visa invitation document is a confirmation from a travel agency that they will be responsible for you during your trip and it may contain a list of hotels where you might be staying. However, these hotels are not listed in your actual visa and you are not obliged by the law to stay in these hotels.

What about Visa-free Travel and e-Visa?

Also, while nationals of most countries, including the USA, UK, EU, and Australia need a visa to travel to Russia, you might not need a visa for a short visit if you're from a country in South America (check the full list of countries that have visa free travel with Russia ). Also, we recommend you to avoid getting your visa support from a hotel, as they "lock" people into a fixed itinerary or limit their visa validity to the period of their reservation.

Also, if you are a EU national (except for UK) and traveling to Kaliningrad or St. Petersburg for maximum up to 8 days , you can apply for the new e-visa to Russia , You will not be able to travel outside of the region you're traveling to (so no visits to Moscow or Trans-Siberian) and this visa type is quite restrictive, but it's perfectly good for a short trip to St. Petersburg.

Step 2: Submit the Russian Visa Application Form

Once you have your invitation (Russian visa support), you need to fill out the application form for a Russian visa on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website .

This usually takes about an hour and you can then print it out and book an online appointment at one of the Russian visa centers once this step is done.

You will need to prepare the following documents to fill out your Russian visa application:

• Travel Passport Should be valid at least 6 months after your Russian visa will expire and contain at least two clear pages - for the visa and the migration card. • Two Passport-size Photographs Should be recent and good quality. • Russian Visa Application Form Fill it out online and print it out from Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID) website visa.kdmid.ru – only after you have obtained your visa support documents ( tourist or business ), which contain the information you'll need to provide in the visa application form. If you are unsure how to fill it out, read our guide that explains how to fill out the Russian visa application form . • Consulate-Specific Documents: Health Insurance, Letters of Employer, etc. You will most likely need to buy a travel insurance for Russia valid for the period of your visa (required for EU and US citizens — you can buy it online here ). Almost all consulates will require an HIV certificate if you are traveling to Russia on a business visa for 3 months or longer or require a multiple-entry visa. In case you apply for a business visa, some consulates may require a letter from your employer confirming you work for the company and travel to Russia for business purposes. If you're applying for a tourist visa in France, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, or Taiwan you will need to present an itinerary that details every day of your stay in Russia. Simply detail your journey using the format here (download doc or pdf document) and send it to your visa support agency, so they get it back to you signed and stamped.

Step 3: Apply for a Russian Visa

Important: russian visa registration, need more information.

Russian Visa Application Centres

How to Get a Russian E-Visa

Russian Sovereignity

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Lately I wanted a business visa for Russia.

I tried visatorussia website. They were offering a business invitation letter for 44 euros.

I filled on their website all the information and got a paypal invoice in 10 minutes.

I paid and in less than an hour I got an email with the PDF containing the invitation letter.

I went to the Consulate and they gave me the visa.

However if you want a business visa with multiple entries then you need the original one.

I wrote an email to Fortuna Travel and asked for the original.

The cost of the shipment was of course on me.

I took the most reliable option which was DHL(24h delivery) and the next day the original invitation letter arrived at my house door.

Absolutely amazing service !

I would recommend 100%

Same here, reliable and really cheap.

Thank you for posting your opinion it conforted me in choosing this agency!

I received my invitation letter for a touristic visa in less than 30mn. Great Job!

Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guideline limiting each user to a single forums screen name.

Just to confirm, this is www.visatorussia.com?

>this is www.visatorussia.com?

I see it 42€ for a single trip

visatorussia.com yes 42eur for one-single entry tourist visa.

OP is speaking instead of visatoruss.com ...

But FMS provides also up to 1-year visa invitation, with barcode by email, with no longer need for original. More expensive than just letter but no expensive courier fees on top.

I support the recommendation for Fortuna Travel.

I received a tourist visa as promised within one hour, for 9,90€. It was accepted without problem by the visa section of the Austrian consulate in Salzburg.

Completely hazzle-free

If you are looking for a multi-entry tourist visa, visit ILS online at www.ils-usa.com, or call at (202-827-0880, or in SF at (415) 409-3200.

yo lo acabo de hacer en visatoruss, el costo fue de 10 euros y me llego en 10 minutos para una sola entrada

Excellent service as testified by many here. Received our invoice in 10 mins. After payment by PayPal, received the invitation letter in another 10 minutes.

There was a problem with my wife's name, due to my own error. They gave me a corrected copy within 5 minutes of mailing them about it.

Service is very fast and professional. Their website also builds a lot of trust as they put out their licenses in the open and also explain why they are trustworthy, which I appreciate.

Just applied for our visa. Hopefully will get it.

I was considering using this company to obtain the invitation letter but wasn’t 100% sure, so thanks for your reviews, now I will use their service

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Lately I wanted a business visa for Russia.

I tried visatorussia website. They were offering a business invitation letter for 44 euros.

I filled on their website all the information and got a paypal invoice in 10 minutes.

I paid and in less than an hour I got an email with the PDF containing the invitation letter.

I went to the Consulate and they gave me the visa.

However if you want a business visa with multiple entries then you need the original one.

I wrote an email to Fortuna Travel and asked for the original.

The cost of the shipment was of course on me.

I took the most reliable option which was DHL(24h delivery) and the next day the original invitation letter arrived at my house door.

Absolutely amazing service !

I would recommend 100%

Forgot to ask - Am I correct that I don’t need original invitation letter (tourist confirmation + voucher) when I’m applying for tourist visa single entry, all I need is the emailed copy? Travelling from UK.

Did you get the visa finally?

I already have a tourist visa invitation letter from my hotel, but don't know how to go about applying for the visa. Is visatorussia.com helpful in this situation since I already have the letter or do I have to apply myself at the consulate?I already tried to make an appointment and am waitlisted...I also was not sure about one of the questions on the appointment booking form so I am feeling unsure about it...

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Getting a russian visa.

To travel to Russia, most foreign nationals are required to have an Entry Visa to Russia. Russian visas can be obtained at local Russian Embassy or Consulate . To have a visa issued, an official invitation processed by Russian governmental or officially authorized companies is required. More on visa requirements for Russia.

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Nowadays many respected travel organizations are ready to help you obtain visa support or process your Russian/CIS visas. As visa processing takes time and there has always been great demand for visa services, companies oftentimes can hardly handle all the requests though cost of visa to Russia remains quite high. As a result you have to wait, and then you get nervous and start looking for another visa provider hoping for the best. In order to avoid such annoyance we offer you express Russian visa online services for fair price. All online requests are processed immediately by our Moscow (Russia) office .

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Lately I wanted a business visa for Russia.

I tried visatorussia website. They were offering a business invitation letter for 44 euros.

I filled on their website all the information and got a paypal invoice in 10 minutes.

I paid and in less than an hour I got an email with the PDF containing the invitation letter.

I went to the Consulate and they gave me the visa.

However if you want a business visa with multiple entries then you need the original one.

I wrote an email to Fortuna Travel and asked for the original.

The cost of the shipment was of course on me.

I took the most reliable option which was DHL(24h delivery) and the next day the original invitation letter arrived at my house door.

Absolutely amazing service !

I would recommend 100%

Did you get the visa finally?

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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A Family Travel & Lifestyle Blog

A comprehensive Russia travel guide for first-timers : Part 1

Putting together this Russia travel guide for first-timers encompassing the best time to visit Russia, a detailed Russia itinerary and practical information on planning a trip to Russia, has been a heavy-duty three months of hard work.

Yes, I had planned our budget family trip to Russian destinations all by myself, by gathering information from various sources, both online and offline.

We wanted to avoid the hassle of running around travel agencies to save money, and, rather spend it on our travels exploring the beautiful places in Russia for 14 days.

This Russia travel guide for first-timers lists experiences and places off the beaten path, apart from practical information like planning a Russia itinerary, applying for a Russia tourist Visa from India and the best time to visit Russia.

Content in this article

A comprehensive Russia travel guide

Russia has always been a dream destination for me even as a child. A reading of Russian folktales was a staple back then, and, those stories weaved wicker of Russia to me as a fantasy land, an enigma shrouded in the mystery of its Tsars.

And, I’ve always had an intense secretive desire of having a photograph clicked in front of the onion-domed St.Basil’s Cathedral of the Red Square in Moscow, for some strange reason. Yay…and, I did get one…

A beginner's travel guide to Russia - Russia| Europe | Asia | Eurasia | Saint Petersburg | Moscow | Travel Tips | Russia Guide #Europe #Russia #Asia #travelguide #moscowguide #saintpetersburg|

When is the best time to travel to Russia?

With a slump in the value of the ruble (the currency of Russia) and Russia hosting the FIFA world cup last year, its government has relaxed a lot of restrictions on foreign nationals especially Indians. This has definitely ensured Russia becoming a much sought-after tourist destination again.

And, now it’s a cakewalk to plan a travel to Russia from India, provided one does some research beforehand. This is where our Russia travel guide comes handy to you!

Is this Russia travel guide required to plan a trip?

As I posted the first photographs from my trip to Russia, announcing our three-week-long family vacation across this fascinating country and Central Asia, the queries started trickling in about the hows, whys and itineraries to follow.

To be honest, we ourselves were surprised that our Russia trip turned out to be affordable.

So, this much-anticipated beginner’s Russia travel guide in two parts, would definitely be handy for planning a trip to Russia from India.

This Russia travel guide provides a comprehensive list of things to know and consider, before that introductory trip of yours to this erstwhile Soviet land.

I am just keeping this Russia travel guide — simple and straight, without any flossy words.

Note I have tried to provide authenticate and useful information as far as my knowledge goes. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. However, readers are requested to cross-check the information with official websites of museums and organizations for authenticity and correctness.

First things first, before we move ahead discussing our Russia travel guide.

Should I be wary of Russia and Russians?

This has been the oft-asked query since my return from Russia. As I said before, the answer is — A BIG NO.

There are a whole lot of misconceptions about Russia and its people as such. Russians hardly smile, they are rude and boring, right? Wrong.

Russia as a nation is beautiful and enigmatic, while, Russians are friendly and they do smile. This is no aggrandizing.

Russians are an affable lot. Extremely polite, helpful and courteous. At least, we as Indians were not treated badly or suspiciously. I still don’t understand this stereotyping about the Russians as if they are humanoids!

A beginner's guide to planning a Russia trip

Best time to visit Russia: Weather in Russia

Russia is vast and stretches across two continents- Europe and Asia, as most of us know. A good chunk is considered as Eurasia. The traditions, customs and the terrain changes from the east of the country to the west. And, so does the weather.

You will always find the Russians carrying a small umbrella in their bags or pockets. The hotels too stock their rooms with at least a couple of these necessities.

This said, plan your very first Russia trip in such a way that you get to visit and experience everything and every place possible, especially around Saint Petersburg(SPB) and Moscow.

I am emphasizing this because many of the attractions and experiences are closed/stopped during the harsh winters while during the White Nights, there are serpentine queues of tourists everywhere in St Petersburg.

My suggestion for the best season to visit Russia

I personally suggest September and early October as the right time to plan one’s very first trip to Russia, as a family tourist.

However, if you want to experience Russia in all its snowy glory then very well go ahead during the winters! After all, Russia has something to offer for everyone all through the year.

Visiting Russia in Winter — December to March

Russia in Winter is a dreamy white carpet all over. However, Russian winters are considered harsh, and not a season to stay outdoors with sub-zero temperatures.

If visiting Russia in winter, then museums are your best bets to stay indoors while many also throw open their doors for free.

The working hours at most Russia attractions are shortened during winters. Cities like Saint Petersburg and Moscow wear a festive look so do the country-side. Yet, I would suggest avoiding Russia in Winter season to plan one’s very first trip to Russia.

Barring the cities, many places across Russia have a hard time coping with the snowy winters, with scarce resources and logistics to cater to the tourists.

Except for the Radisson fleet of cruise and boat rides in Moscow, practically all ferry rides of Moscow and Saint Petersburg are shut. Fountains at Peterhof are not functional. While the park itself looks beautiful during White nights and the fall, with its blooming flowers and golden leaves.

If planning further east towards the Baikal, then do remember that the waterbody is beautifully frozen, and a view of the still Baikal Lake is to die for. Also, there are places in Russia from where it is possible to catch the Aurora lights!

White Nights in Saint Petersburg — April to August

Spring followed by the White nights is often when the tourists’ inflow hits its zenith in Russia, especially around Saint Petersburg.

Expect serpentine lines at all the Russia attractions, while hotel accommodations are hard to get by and the rates start hitting the roof(expensive) during the White Nights in St Petersburg.

However, it’s also the best season to experience Russia in all its festive mood with prolonged daylight. Read more about the White nights of Russia

The best month to visit Russia — September to early October:

This is when I deliberately planned our Russia trip. The season of the golden autumn across Russia.

Neither too hot nor too cold; easy availability of stay options at reasonable rates, short queues at museums, the streets aren’t crowded and so are the various parks; just perfect to plan a budget family Russia trip! For us, this was the perfect time to visit Russia.

Not the best month to visit Russia — Late October to November

The rainy season has waved itself into early October and is here to stay in full-swing with dark, gloomy and morbid weather right through the latter half of October until November.

So, for all practical purposes, not the right season to plan your very first visit to Russia. Also, make a note that the natural fountains of Peterhof are closed and they stop working usually from the second week of October onwards.

Suggestions and recommendations in planning a Russia trip

You will need to mention the exact dates of arrival and departure in Russia while applying for your Russia Tourist Visa. So, plan your trip accordingly, considering the weather.
Carry light jackets in case you are travelling in summer.
Carry mittens, gloves, mufflers, scarfs apart from warm clothes and jackets when travelling during late autumn and winters.
Do follow these winter tips and tricks that easily applies to even a country like Russia

View this post on Instagram A post shared by meenakshi j iyer (@polkajunction) on Nov 17, 2019 at 7:58pm PST

Places to visit in Russia

As already discussed, Russia is a vast country with a lot of sights to visit and experience, extending seven time-zones. So, it is only prudence to chalk out an itinerary while planning the very first vacation to Russia.

Decide upon which part of Russia you want to cover on this trip. If travelling with family, then, a little more attention to planning is required, as infrastructure isn’t well developed in the countryside barring the golden ring cities, FIFA cup hosted cities, St Petersburg and Moscow.

Also, you ought to zero in the exact dates of travel — to procure a tourist invitation voucher, for obtaining the Russian visa and to show the immigration authorities in Russia upon arrival there. More on the immigration at Russia, later in the post.

For now, remember to research, research, research on where to go, what to see, how many days to stay in each of the places and plan your Russia trip according to your interests.

And with the immigration authorities being stricter with Indians of late, it is better to be well planned.

Best destinations in Russia

These are a few suggested places to visit in Russia that I read about, during my research, prior to our Russia trip. This is completely based on my interests around heritage, culture, architecture, soft-adventure, things to do with kids and cost-effectiveness.

These Russian cities were given a face-lift to be tourism-ready for the FIFA 2018 world cup. Of course, Siberia and a ride on the Trans-Siberian train are great options too!

Saint Petersburg(SPB) : a must-visit, more European than Russian. UNESCO heritage site .
Peterhof : again a must-visit. Opt for a day trip from SPB either by ferry or a bus
Veliky Novgorod : Beautiful with a lot of history. Supposed to be the oldest Russian town and home to a lot of UNESCO heritage sites. Day trip from SPB by train.
Moscow : The capital.Well-connected.More Soviet than Russian or European. A contrast to SPB.
Vladimir and Suzdal : Two of the towns of the Golden Ring with UNESCO sites. Both can be done as a day trip from Moscow by train+bus. An overnight stay in Suzdal is highly recommended.
Kazan – Cultural capital of Tatarstan. No, you will not need a separate visa to visit this place, but you need to mention it in the tourist voucher.
Sochi – A touristy city readied for hosting the FIFA matches. Has a beach and a lot of natural attractions. Is slowly drawing tourists with its beautiful landscape.
Nizhny Novgorod – Historic city that falls mid-way between Moscow and Kazan.
Murmansk – to catch the Aurora spectacle…the northern lights…and, to camp in glass domes!

How to plan a Russia itinerary?

Fix the exact dates of arrival and departure.
Work on the list of museums and churches you want to visit on your Russia trip. There are over 261 museums in Moscow alone, while Suzdal has got over 40 churches!
Also, make sure you are familiar with the working days of tourist places in Russian cities. Many of the attractions are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. While there are some special days when the working hours are extended. So, research.
If travelling with kids, then, read thoroughly the official websites of the attractions before booking those online tickets. Some of the tickets, when bought online, may cost more. Many attractions have free entry for school students or discounts on the ticket price. However, these need to be collected physically at the ticket counters. So, even if you have bought the online tickets, you may end up in the queue at some of the touristy places in Russia.
If planning your Russia trip during the White Nights, then, blindly opt for online tickets, as there are bound to be serpentine queues at almost all the tourist places across Saint Petersburg and Moscow. I know of travellers who have stood for 5-6 hours in queues only to be disappointed at the end.
Book the Radisson cruise and the canal rides online. There are discounts for online tickets. You could also buy them at the counters but it may turn out costly or may not, depending on the season.
Free guided walking tours are highly recommended while in St Petersburg and Russia. You can book them online. But remember, although they claim to be ‘Free’, they work on the ‘Tips’ model. The expected tip ranges from $5 onwards/per person. Opt for walking tours on the very first or second day of your trip to a city. This way, you will have an idea as to which of the places you would want to visit again for its interiors.
Getting an English guide is a costly affair in Russia. Instead, look out for free audio-guide apps and paid audio-guides at the official counters near various Russian attractions.
Finding vegan/vegetarian food outlets may drain out your time while in Russia. So, again plan accordingly. More on this in the food section down below.
Be ready to walk a lot around the Russian cities and towns, to be able to visit all the places and soak in the local atmosphere. Chalk out your day-to-day Russia itinerary in such a way that you don’t end up walking the whole day. May be, walk around a bit in the morning. Post-lunch/coffee break, opt for a museum or a canal ride and then in the evening book that much needed tickets to watch a ballet or folk show.

Russia Itinerary – A sample

As promised, here is a sample itinerary of our Russia trip. Of course, we did tweak this as the trip went by, to suit our requirements.

I suggest at least a week in Saint Petersburg if doing Veliky Novgorod, Peterhof as well as Catherine Palace. 5 days are enough for Moscow.
If applying for a 14 days Russian tourist visa then a lot of Visa formalities becomes easier. Shall explain it under the Visa section.

Russia Tourist Visa for Indians – How to apply?

I personally found obtaining a Russia Tourist Visa — the simplest, then planning the whole trip! Even simpler than zeroing in on the itinerary.

You will just require the following documents if you are a citizen of India to get your Russia tourist visa.

A valid Indian passport (at least six months of validity and two empty pages).
Letter of Invitation printed on an A4 sheet (Voucher) – Don’t be perplexed. Will explain to you in a moment.
Photographs as specified – 3.5X4.5cm against a light background.
Fill in the visa application form from Official site of the Consular Department , according to mentioned instructions.
Read the instructions for Russian Visa here https://india.mid.ru/ru/ and apply for the Russian Visa appointment at Russian Embassy in Delhi . Each person in the family who is travelling should have a separate appointment.
For people who aren’t in Delhi and for processing and visa fee, please check VFS website.

If the stay in Russia is for more than 14 days, then the following documents are also needed for issuing of the Russia Tourist Visa, along with the above necessities.

Hotel bookings in each of the towns and cities of Russia, you are visiting
Flight tickets and train bookings
Insurance papers ( We always use ICICI Lombard )
A detailed Russia itinerary

I applied directly at the Russia Embassy in New Delhi with a prior appointment. You can also choose to do the same or its various consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Many of them also go through the VFS.

Updated information : The consulates in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata have updated their visa rules on their websites and as of today, you can only use the services of the nearest VFS centre for processing a Russian visa. The embassy in Delhi is accepting the application forms as usual.

What is a Russia tourist voucher or an invitation letter?

A Russia tourist voucher is a letter of invitation from an authorized tourist agency that looks something like the one below.

I applied for my tourist voucher through Fortuna Travel and their website deconstructs the tourist voucher as, ‘In accordance with Russian law for getting Russian tourist or business visa, you must have an invitation letter.

Tourist invitation consists of two parts – the tourist confirmation letter and the travel (tourist) voucher. This document contains the necessary information which is needed to apply for a Russian tourist visa (name of travel organization, its address, reference and confirmation numbers).

Where does one apply for a Russia tourist invitation?

After a bit of search online, we stumbled upon the site of Fortuna Travel and found the rates reasonable.

Read the instructions clearly before filling the online form to obtain a tourist voucher. Once the details are filled, you will receive a mail within a few minutes to a few hours, with the voucher delivered online to your email inbox.

They charge around $20 for Indians. You need one tourist invitation for every person in the family who is going on the Russia trip.

Meanwhile, you may also want to watch our new series around our Russia trip on our YouTube channel.

I hope you now have a fair idea based on this Russia travel guide (Part-1), as to how to go about planning your Russa trip and the sort of Russia itinerary you need to put together to apply for the Russia tourist visa(for Indians) per se.

Feel free to drop in your feedback and queries in the comment section below or use the Contact form to direct your queries on this Russia travel guide.

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18 thoughts on “A comprehensive Russia travel guide for first-timers : Part 1”

Nice article with useful details !!!

Hello, Thanks a lot for the useful information. Just wondering what happened to the Part-2 link? Jay

Thank you for the heads-up. The link was broken and I’ve just fixed it. Should work now :))

Also, I am glad that you found the post useful. Happy reading!

Awesome, this is really nice, You have very well described spending some time in russia

Thank you so much for reading :))

A Very good article loved it!!!!! If possible please change the colour of webpage to dark theme as it will not affect the eye of the person reading this article

Nice post! Your travel guide post will help me explore Russia. Thanks for sharing such valuable information.

Thanks for the sharing this useful list.

Deloris Lara

I have been to Ukraine recently and after seeing some ex-Russian side there, I got interested now to visit Russia too. Your guide is very helpful and good for planning our first time visit to Russia. Though it can be visited all time the year, I would prefer summer and want to see that prolonged daylight and festive mood. It must be very cheerful this time. Russian circus is famous and therefore watching that Great Moscow state circus in Moscow must be very fun thing to do here. Very informative, especially the visa part as on other websites, it is very confusing.

Quite a useful post with all practical tips one needs to know for planning a trip to Russia. My dad spent considerable time in Russia and he has such fond memories of the place. Your post echoed his thoughts. As you said, the Russians are very warm and there’s nothing to worry about them. I really wanna visit Russia in Autumn.

This is a great guide for visiting Russia! I come from the neighbourg country Finland, and have known Russian for all my life. I think being a little more reserved is a cultural thing. We are the same way. But when you get to know a Finn, you have made a friend of a lifetime and the hospitality is endless. Same in Russia. Such a beautiful country.

I know it can be cold in the Russion Winters but I quite like that, great tips on what time of year to go. Riding on the Trans Siberain train is on my list but you have suggested many places I’d never heard of such as Murmansk and Petrhof. Very useful tips on visa application too!

Just like you — it is my dream to visit Russia ever since I was a child after watching the movie, Anastasia. I have always been interested in their history and after reading your post, I realized there is so much to see and do.

Thank you for sharing this post. My husband would be thrilled to watch a FIFA game in Sochi.

Although I have stopped at Moscow twice to catch connecting flights, have never spent a holiday there till now. Am going to use this post of yours to plan whenever we plan to visit. Most likely next summers.

Thank you so much for putting in the piece about being nervous to be around Russians. My husband is from Russia and so are many of my friends. Even STILL, I was always nervous to visit the country. Many people share this ideal that Russians are rude and cold. I’m so glad to hear from a travel writer that the people are polite and helpful. We are hoping to visit soon and take our infant son with us. This article is so thorough and makes me feel more confident about tackling such a vast place as Russia. I can’t wait to get to St. Petersburg.

I am impressed by your guide. It is so helpful for planning trip, so detailed info. Russia is on my bucket list. I dream of seeing Sankt Petersburg and Moscow. So, I like your itinerary. It is significant that you also give directions on how to get a visa to Russia.

Russia has been on my list for years but the hassle of applying for a visa and generally never being in the UK long enough to apply has put me off!! Your trip though looks amazing and makes me want to get the visa arranged to go in September. I few of the places i havent heard of such as Kazan but there are many places on your list I definitely want to go to. Fingers crossed I can get my visa this year and go.

We had our first experience in Russia on a cruise ship. Two days in St. Petersburg hooked us. And we definitely want to return. So it was interesting to read this blog post is we plan a return visit on our own. I am sure winter would be a fascinating time to visit. But I would not want to be limited by the weather. Early fall sounds perfect for me. Moscow is high on our list to visit. But catching the northern lights in Murmansk would be dreamy. Good tip about booking canal cruises online. Getting the tourist voucher may be the thing that will take the longest. But I will check for any updated information for Canadians. Thanks for this thorough post.

Update April 12, 2024

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Travel Advisory September 5, 2023

Russia - level 4: do not travel.

Updated to remove COVID-specific information and the kidnapping risk indicator as well as updates to security risks.

Do not travel to Russia due to the unpredictable consequences of the unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces , the potential for harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials , the arbitrary enforcement of local law , limited flights into and out of Russia , the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia , and the possibility of terrorism . U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately. Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions.

The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel for embassy personnel and staffing, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates.

There have been numerous reports of drone attacks, explosions, and fires in areas in Western and Southern Russia, particularly near the Russian border with Ukraine, as well as in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the event of an emergency, U.S. citizens should follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately.

In September 2022, the Russian government mobilized citizens to the armed forces in support of its invasion of Ukraine. Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, subject them to mobilization, prevent their departure from Russia, and/or conscript them.

U.S. citizens should note that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia, and options to electronically transfer funds from the United States are extremely limited due to sanctions imposed on Russian banks. There are reports of cash shortages within Russia.

Commercial flight options are extremely limited and are often unavailable on short notice. If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements as soon as possible. The U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens to depart the country and transportation options may suddenly become even more limited. Click here for Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia.

U.S. Embassy personnel are generally not permitted to travel on Russian air carriers due to safety concerns. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded the air safety rating for Russia from Category 1 to Category 2 on April 21, 2022, due to Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport noncompliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. aviation operations into, out of, within, or over those areas of the Moscow Flight Information Region (FIR), the Samara FIR (UWWW) and the Rostov-na-Donu (URRV) FIR within 160NM of the boundaries of the Dnipro (UKDV) Flight Information Regions. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices .

The right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not consistently protected in Russia. U.S. citizens should avoid all political or social protests and not photograph security personnel at these events. Russian authorities have arrested U.S. citizens who have participated in demonstrations and there are numerous reports Russian nationals have been detained for social media activity.

Country Summary:

U.S. citizens, including former and current U.S. government and military personnel and private citizens engaged in business who are visiting or residing in Russia, have been interrogated without cause and threatened by Russian officials, and may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion.

Russian security services may fail to notify the U.S. Embassy of the detention of a U.S. citizen and unreasonably delay U.S. consular assistance. Russian security services are increasing the arbitrary enforcement of local laws to target foreign and international organizations they consider “undesirable.”

Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on spurious charges, singled out U.S. citizens in Russia for detention and harassment, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials or without presenting credible evidence. Furthermore, Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against U.S. citizen religious workers and have opened questionable criminal investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Russia to perform work for or volunteer with non-governmental organizations or religious organizations.

There have been multiple security incidents in southwestern Russia related to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The Russian government declared martial law in Russia’s regions bordering Ukraine (Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, Krasnodar) on October 20, 2022. The martial law regime allows the rapid introduction of restrictive measures such as curfew, seizure of private property, restriction of entry/exit and freedom of movement, internment of foreigners, forced relocation of local residents, and restrictions on public gatherings. U.S. citizens should avoid all travel to these areas.

Recent legislation has expanded the ability of Russian authorities to detain, question, and arrest individuals suspected of acting against Russia’s interests, including posts on personal social media accounts, engaging with foreign and international entities, discrediting the Russian state or military, as well as advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ persons.

Terrorist groups, both transnational and local terrorist organizations, and individuals inspired by extremist ideology continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs and systems, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Travel to the North Caucasus (including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus) is prohibited for U.S. government employees and strongly discouraged for U.S. citizens.

The international community, including the United States and Ukraine, does not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya – that Russia has purported to annex more recently. There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in these areas. Russia staged its further invasion of Ukraine, in part, from occupied Crimea, and Russia is likely to take further military actions in Crimea, and the four other Ukrainian oblasts are the subject of intensive fighting. There are continuing abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in these regions, particularly against those who are seen as challenging Russia’s authority.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv continues to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts partially occupied by Russia – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya, although the ongoing conflict severely restricts the Embassy’s ability to provide services in these areas.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Russia.

If you decide to travel to Russia:

Familiarize yourself with the information on what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas .
Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .
Monitor local and international media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information.
Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
Review the Country Security Report for Russia.
Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Important Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia (Updated Monthly).

Click Here for Important Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia (Updated Monthly) .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Required six months beyond intended stay

2 pages per stamp

$10,000 or more must be declared

You may export up to $3,000 (or equivalent) without declaring it

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Moscow Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8 Moscow 121099 Russian Federation Telephone: +(7) (495) 728-5000 or +(7) (495) 728-5577 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(7) (495) 728-5000 Fax: +(7) (495) 728-5084 Email: [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Vladivostok 32 Ulitsa Pushkinskaya Vladivostok 690001 Russian Federation

Consular services at U.S. Consulate General Vladivostok remain suspended. Contact Embassy Moscow for all consular services.

U.S. Consulate General Yekaterinburg Ulitsa Gogolya 15a, 4th floor, Yekaterinburg 620151 Russian Federation

Effective April 1, 2021, Consulate General Yekaterinburg suspended all consular services. Contact Embassy Moscow for all consular services.

U.S. Consulate General St. Petersburg

Due to the Russian government’s ordered closure of the U.S. Consulate General, as of March 31, 2018, U.S. citizen visitors and residents in St. Petersburg must contact the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for all consular services .

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Russian authorities strictly enforce all visa and immigration laws. The Embassy of the Russian Federation website provides the most up to date information regarding visa regulations and requirements. In accordance with Russia’s Entry-Exit Law, Russian authorities may deny entry or reentry into Russia for 5 years or more and cancel the visas of foreigners who have committed two administrative violations within the past three years. Activities that are not specifically covered by the traveler’s visa may result in an administrative violation and deportation.

Under a bilateral agreement signed in 2012, qualified U.S. applicants for humanitarian, private, tourist, and business visas may request and receive multiple-entry visas with a validity of three years or a single entry, three-month validity visa. ( Please note that other types of visas are not part of the agreement and those visa holders should pay close attention to the terms of their visas.) You cannot enter Russia prior to the date on your visa, and you must exit Russia before your visa expires . The maximum period of stay is shown on the visa.

You must have a current U.S. passport with the appropriate visa . Russian visas in an expired or canceled passport are not valid.
You must obtain a valid visa for your specific purpose of travel before arriving in Russia, unless you are arriving as a cruise ship passenger (see below information for passengers of cruise ships and ferries). Do not attempt to enter Russia before the date shown on your visa. If you are staying in Russia for more than 7 days, you must register your visa and migration card with the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Cruise ship passengers in St. Petersburg should seek assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for all emergency and passport services.
Cruise ship passengers should be aware that loss or theft of a passport and/or migration card could result in the inability to obtain lodging. Hotels and hostels may not allow guests to check in without a passport, a migration card, or Russian visa.
We recommend U.S. citizens obtain a Russian visa before traveling to Russia, in case of an emergency while in the country, such as unexpected medical issues or if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason.
Students and English teachers should be certain that their activities are in strict keeping with their visa type. Students must not teach or coach English, whether compensated or not, while traveling on a student visa as it is considered a visa violation and may subject you to detention and deportation.
With the exceptions noted below, travelers will are not required to have a transit visa if they are transiting through an international airport in Russia, do not leave the Customs zone, and depart from the same airport within 24 hours.
Travelers must have a Russian transit visa if they plan to transit through Russia by land en route to a third country or if they transfer to another airport.
Travelers must possess a Russian transit visa in addition to a Belarusian visa if their travel route either to or from Belarus goes through Russia.

Dual Nationals: Anyone entering Russia who has claim to Russian citizenship, regardless of any other citizenship held, is fully accountable to the Russian authorities for all obligations of a Russian citizen, including the required military service.

U.S.-Russian dual nationals and Russian citizens who are Legal Permanent residents of the United States must register their dual nationality/foreign residency. Registration forms and further information (in Russian only) can be found on the website of the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Interior Ministry of Russia.
U.S.-Russian dual nationals must both enter and exit on a Russian passport. You will not be permitted to depart on an expired passport. Applying for a passport can take several months.
U.S.-Russian dual nationals who return to Russia on a “Repatriation Certificate” are only permitted to enter Russia and will not be permitted to depart Russia until they obtain a valid Russian passport.
Minors who also have Russian citizenship and are traveling alone or in the company of adults who are not their parents, must carry a Russian passport as well as their parents’ notarized consent for the trip, which can be obtained at a Russian embassy or consulate, or a U.S. notary public. A consent obtained in the United States from a U.S. notary public must be apostilled, translated into Russian, and properly affixed. Authorities will prevent such minors from entering or leaving Russia if they cannot present this consent.

Crimea: Follow the guidance in the Travel Advisory for Ukraine and do not travel to the Crimean Peninsula.

Documentary Requirements for obtaining a Russian visa: Consult with the Embassy of the Russian Federation for detailed explanations of documentary requirements.

HIV/AIDS Entry Restrictions: Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Russia. Applicants for longer-term tourist and work visas or residence permits are required to undergo an HIV/AIDS test.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Terrorist groups, transnational and local terrorist organizations, and lone actors inspired by extremist ideology and messaging continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas

Moscow and St. Petersburg have been the targets of terrorist attacks, and bomb threats against public venues are common. If you are at a location that receives a bomb threat, follow all instructions from the local police and security services.

North Caucasus Region: A risk of civil and political unrest continues throughout the North Caucasus region including Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya. Local criminal gangs have kidnapped foreigners, including U.S. citizens, for ransom. In the Republic of Chechnya, local authorities may harbor particular hostility towards U.S. travelers.

Do not travel to Chechnya or any other areas in the North Caucasus region.
If you reside in these areas, depart immediately.
U.S. government travel to the region is prohibited, due to ongoing security concerns.
The U.S. Government has no ability to assist U.S. citizens in the North Caucasus Region.

Mt. Elbrus:

Do not attempt to climb Mt. Elbrus, as individuals must pass close to volatile and insecure areas of the North Caucasus region.
Do not travel to this Russian occupied territory of Ukraine.
The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Crimea. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv for questions regarding consular services.
U.S. government officials are prohibited from traveling to Crimea. See the Departments Travel Advisory for Ukraine .

Harassment: Harassment of U.S.-based religious and student groups can take place in Russia, and you should be aware of the possibility of anti-U.S. sentiment or harassment. U.S. citizens, including current and former U.S. government and military personnel, maybe subject to additional scrutiny by Russian security services. Remain alert, avoid any protests or demonstrations, and use discretion when commenting publicly on political developments. You can find safety and security Alerts on the Embassy’s website .

Police do not need to show probable cause in order to stop, question, or detain individuals. Please comply with the requests of local law enforcement officials.
Report harassment or crimes to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow or the nearest U.S. Consulate General.

Demonstrations:

Avoid public demonstrations. U.S. citizens who have participated in demonstrations have been arrested by the Russian authorities.

Crime: Crimes against tourists do occur at popular tourist sites and on public transportation. U.S. citizens have been victims of serious crimes when visiting Russia. Russian authorities are not always willing to impartially and thoroughly investigate crimes.

Be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
Exercise caution in the vicinity of large crowds.
Do not leave bags unattended.
Never leave your drink unattended in a bar or club. Alcohol was a significant factor in most criminal activity reported by foreign visitors.
Report Credit card or ATM card theft to the credit card company or issuing bank immediately.
Avoid carrying large sums of cash .

Cybercrime: Cybercrime is a significant problem across Russia. Russian hackers and traditional organized crime structures continue to work together, raising threats to the financial sector. The risk of infection, compromise, and theft via malware, spam e-mail, sophisticated spear phishing, and social engineering attacks is significant. U.S. citizens and companies should remain vigilant against cyber threats and actively use cyber security measures to mitigate risks.

U.S. citizens have no reasonable expectation of privacy in Russia. Telephone and electronic communications are subject to surveillance at any time and without advisory, which may compromise sensitive information. The Russian System for Operational-Investigative Activities (SORM) legally permits authorities to monitor and record all data that traverses Russia’s networks.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for additional information on scams.

Victims of Crime : U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 02 or 102, or 112 if using a mobile phone, and the U.S. Embassy at +7 495 728-5000..

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. United States law enforcement agencies do not have jurisdiction to investigate crimes against U.S. citizens that occur on Russian territory.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

Help you find appropriate medical care
Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
Provide a list of local attorneys
Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical
Support in cases of destitution
Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
Replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate General for assistance.

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Arrest Notification: Russia routinely fails to meet its obligation to inform the U.S. Embassy of arrests of U.S. citizens. If you are detained, ask the police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. Your U.S. passport does not protect you from arrest or prosecution. See our webpage for further information.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to all Russian laws. If you violate these laws, even unknowingly, you may be arrested, fined, imprisoned, or expelled and may be banned from re-entering Russia.

Some crimes committed outside the United States are prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

You can be arrested, detained, fined, deported and banned for 5 years or more if you are found to have violated Russian immigration law.
Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Russia are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
You can be detained for not carrying your passport with you.
You can be jailed immediately for driving under the influence of alcohol.
It is illegal to pay for goods and services in U.S. dollars, except at authorized retail establishments.
You can be arrested for attempting to leave the country with antiques, even if they were legally purchased from licensed vendors. Cultural value items like artwork, icons, samovars, rugs, military medals and antiques, must have certificates indicating they do not have historical or cultural value. You may obtain certificates from the Russian Ministry of Culture .
Retain all receipts for high-value items, including caviar.
You must have advance approval to bring in satellite telephones.
Global Positioning System (GPS) and other radio electronic devices, and their use, are subject to special rules and regulations in Russia. Contact the Russian Customs Service for required permissions.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers: Russian authorities have detained, fined, and in some cases deported travelers for engaging in religious activities. Russian officials have stated that Russia recognizes four historic religions: Orthodox Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism. The Russian government places restrictions on missionary activity and defines it broadly – travelers engaging in certain types of religious work may risk harassment, detention, fines, or deportation for administrative violations if they do not have proper authorization from a registered religious group. Russian law criminalizes proselytizing outside of a registered house of worship. The Russian government has detained U.S. citizens for religious activities that they contend are not permitted under a tourist or humanitarian visa. See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report .

LGBTI Travelers: Russian law bans providing "the propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" to minors. Foreign citizens face fines, up to 15 days in jail, and deportation. The law is vague as to what Russia considers propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations.

Discrimination based on sexual orientation is widespread in Russia. Acts of violence and harassment targeting LGBTI individuals occur.
Government officials have made derogatory comments about LGBTI persons and violence against the LGBTI community has increased.
There have been credible reports of arrest, torture, and extrajudicial killing of LGBTI persons in Chechnya allegedly conducted by Chechen regional authorities.

See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Getting around in Russia is often difficult for persons with mobility issues. In general, public transportation is not accommodating to people with disabilities. The Moscow Metro, though extremely safe and efficient in other areas, is generally not accessible to persons with disabilities.

Sidewalks are narrow and uneven.
Mobility is usually easier in major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Crossing streets in large cities can be difficult, since it usually requires the use of a pedestrian underpass, which includes stairs, steep ramps, and no elevators.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

Private medical care in major metropolitan cities and tourism centers in Russia is often equal to Western standards. However, medical care is generally below Western standards in non-metropolitan areas.

Private medical facilities require payment by cash or credit card before providing services (unless they are life threatening), and are unlikely to accept proof of U.S. insurance as guarantee of future payment. Payment is expected at the time of service .
The Embassy does not pay the medical bills of private U.S. citizens.
U.S. Medicare does not provide coverage outside the United States without the purchase of supplemental coverage.
Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage.
Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems are particularly at risk.

Prescription Medication:

Certain classes of over-the-counter cold medicines, such as those containing pseudoephedrine, are illegal in Russia. We recommend against bringing cold medication with you to Russia.
Carry a copy of valid U.S. prescriptions, including a notarized translation into Russian of each prescription, when entering Russia with prescription medications.
Prescription medication should be in its original packaging.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

World Health Organization
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Road conditions and driver safety customs differ significantly from those in the United States. In some more remote areas of Russia, roads are practically nonexistent or have poor or nonexistent shoulders.

Drivers are required by law to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and this is generally observed. It is dangerous to cross where there is not a crosswalk present.
Do not drive outside the major cities at night.
Construction sites and road hazards are often unmarked.

Traffic Laws : Russian authorities have been known to consider traffic or parking infractions as “administrative violations” that provide a sufficient basis for deportation and/or denial of entry back to Russia at a later date.

Drivers must carry third-party liability insurance under a policy valid in Russia.
You may drive for 60 days using your U.S. driver’s license, with a notarized Russian translation.
Tourists may also use International Driving Permits issued by the American Automobile Association or the American Automobile Touring Alliance to drive in Russia.
Russian law requires foreigners on business or employment visas or with permanent residence status to have a Russian driver's license.
Driving regulations are strictly enforced and violators are subject to severe legal penalties.
Russia practices a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol. Authorities can detain an intoxicated driver and your driver’s license can be suspended up to two years.
If you are involved in an accident, do not move your vehicle from the accident site. You may be held liable if you move your car even if you are not at fault.
Roadside police checkpoints are commonplace. Be prepared to stop and show identity documents and proof of registration and insurance.

Public Transportation:

Moscow and St. Petersburg have extensive, efficient public transit systems, as do many other urban areas in Russia.
In metropolitan areas, well-marked taxis are generally safe and reliable Do not use unmarked taxis. Passengers have been the victims of robbery, kidnapping, extortion and theft.

See our Road Safety page for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed that the Government of Russia's Civil Aviation Authority is not in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Russia's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners should check the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration site for U.S. maritime advisories and alert s, the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and NGA broadcast warnings .

The Commandant of the Coast Guard is unable to determine if effective anti-terrorism measures are in place in Russia ports as required by 46 U.S. Code § 70108.

For additional travel information

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories .
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook .
See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Russia . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Since foreign citizens are required to obtain a Russian visa in order to enter the Russian Federation, visa invitation is required to apply for a Russian visa. Exceptions exist for citizens from countries with which the Russian Federation has established a visa-free entry agreement .

Russian visa is a document in your passport, permitting to stay in Russia for a certain period of time. A visa shows entry & exit dates, your travel information, passport details and sometimes has a photo stapled to it. It is issued by Russian Embassies or/and Russian Consulates.

The required document for obtaining Russian visa is a Russian Visa Invitation Letter (or simply Invitation for Russian Visa). An invitation letter for visa might be issued by a Russian organization that has a special reference-number and accreditation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

What is the difference between Russian Visa voucher and invitation?

iVisaOnline provides hassle-free and reliable Russian visa invitation letter service at reasonable prices. If you are ready to start the process, please choose your citizenship in the form below

Types of Russian Visa Invitations

The type of Russian Visa Invitation that you require depends on the length of your planned stay in Russia and the purpose of your visit. Whether you plan to leave the country and return during the period that your visa is valid is also a factor in choosing the type of visa to apply for. Below you will find explanations of the conditions and requirements of the main types of Invitations for Russian visa, and how to apply for them.

A tourist invitation for Russian Tourist Visa is the easiest and cheapest type of Russian visa to get.A single or double-entry tourist visa for up to 30 days, a single or double-entry tourist visa for up to 3 months (up to 90 days) or a multiple-entry tourist visa for up to 6 months (up to 180 days) can be issued on the basis of the tourist «Confirmation» (which goes along with the «Voucher»). Visa support documents for Tourist Visas (Tourist Confirmation and Tourist Voucher) are accepted by most Russian Consular Departments as faxed or scanned copies. However, for some nationalities and some departments, the original invitation is required. This should always be specified in the nearest Russian Consulate or Embassy. Visa invitation prices depend on tourist citizenship and migration risk . You can read more about migration risk here and check the prices for your country in our Get Russian Visa support online form.

A Private Visa Invitation for a private visa valid for up to 90 days. It is for those who wish to visit family or friends in Russia. Private Visa Invitation can be obtained in Russia by private individuals, and are not normally available through agencies. The official invitation for a Private Visa is issued through the Russian Foreign Ministry or its regional representatives. Migration Service. The original invitation is required to apply for a Private Visa.

Business Visa Invitation for Business or a commercial visa valid for 90 days, six months, or one year and give you the right to do business in Russia, but not to take up full-time employment. Business visas can be single, double or multi-entry. However, travelers on a Russian Business It is possible to stay in Russia for no more than 90 days out of each six month period. This means that those wishing to work full-time in Russia will have to ensure that their employers are licensed to provide them with a work visa.

In most cases, you will need to present the original invitation to apply for a Russian Business Visa. Sometimes, the invitation must be telexed to the consular department where you are applying. You should specify the info in the nearest Russian Consulate or Embassy.

If a business visa invitation is what you need, start by choosing your citizenship in our Get Russian Business Visa support online form

Transit Visa is issued to those who travel through the Russian Federation to a farther destination. If you are on a transit flight, will be spending less than 24 hours in Russia, and do not intend to leave the airport transit area, then you will not need a Russian Visa for your trip. In all other circumstances, you will need to apply for a Russian Transit Visa, normally valid for up to three days if you are traveling by air or ten days if you are traveling by train.

Visa-free travel to Russia

The countries the citizens of which can travel to Russia without visas are divided into four groups with different requirements and different limitations on the length of stay. Even if you do not need a visa to enter Russia, you will certainly need a passport valid for at least six months after the date of your proposed exit from Russia, and you may require other official documents. Also bear in mind that, even if you don't require a visa to enter Russia, you will still need to register with the Federal Migration Service upon arrival.

Citizens of the countries of the CIS (the Commonwealth of Independent States) are permitted to stay in the Russian Federation for up to 90 days without a visa.

Countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.

Citizens of these countries are allowed to stay in the Russian Federation without a visa for up to 90 days in each 180-day period, provided they will not be involved in any commercial or work-related activities during their stay.

Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Israel, Nicaragua, Peru, Venezuela, Dominicana

Citizens of the countries in this group can stay in the Russian Federation for up to 30 days without a visa. They are not entitled to work while in Russia.

Countries: Cuba, Montenegro, Serbia (with biometric passport), Thailand, Hong Kong (up to 14 days).

Citizens of these Balkan countries can also stay in Russia without a visa for up to 30 days, but must also show tourist documents (Tourist Confirmation & Tourist Voucher) or an Official Invitation to immigration officials.

Countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia.

It is already possible to travel to St. Petersburg for up to 72 hours without a visa on cruise ships (on the condition that you are sleeping on the ship and are accompanied by an authorized tour guide) and on ferries from Stockholm, Helsinki, and Tallinn.

You can read more about the visa-free policy of Russia on Wikipedia by visiting the following link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Russia

What is a migration card and where do I get it?

Upon entering the Russian Federation, you must complete a migration card. If applicable, visitors will be required to indicate their visa information on the migration card. Upon arriving at your destination in the Russian Federation, the migration card should be presented to the host party (hotel, private accommodation owner, etc.) who is responsible for registering the spectator in the migration record.

Notice of the foreign citizen's arrival in the Russian Federation must be submitted to the local agency of the Federal Migration Service within seven working days after arrival. This procedure should be carried out by the Host Party (hotel, private accommodation owner, etc.).

Do i need to register my visa?

All foreign travelers staying in the Russian Federation must be registered with the Federal Migration Service in the city or region where they are staying within seven days of their arrival.

If you are traveling on a tourist visa and staying in a hotel, the registration process is normally completed by reception staff on the first day of your stay, and all that you will need to do is provide them with your passport and migration card The same should be true if you are renting an apartment through an agency. If you are traveling on a business visa, the company inviting you is responsible for registering you, while if you have a private visa, then the Russian citizen who invited you will need to register you. Registration can be completed by them at local branches of the Federal Migration Service or any post office, and again they will need your passport and migration card to complete the process.

If for whatever reason, your accommodation provider is unwilling to register you (despite their legal obligation) there are always agencies in large cities that will register you for a fee.

List of specific country policies

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Apple pay, Android pay, PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.

Secure and authentic website

All your data is protected by respectable internet Security Company as COMODO GROUP

The ultimate goal of our company is to provide an easy access and ensure the quality of services required in order for an applicant to receive a Russian Visa in most advanced and inexpensive way.

For example, applying for the same service from inside of your country will cost you between 3-5 times more. Why overpay? Our company have a license from Ministry of Tourism of Russian Federation (Rostourism) that ensures to get Russian visa with 100% guarantee.

Frezer (Ethiopia)

THERE IS MY VISA! THNK YOU FOR YOUR JOB!

Amadou (Cameroun)

Got my visa! All the best!

Diana (Cameroon)

Just got my long 6 months visa! Thank you!

Dominic (Switzerland)

Here is my visa! Thank you!

Jorge (France)

Thank you for your service!

Harish (India)

Thank you again for your excellent service! Here is my business visa!

Deepak (India)

Would recommend your service to anyone, great job and does it excellently

Ramesh (Sri Lanka)

Thanks Alexander, excellent service. I'm very grateful!

What kind of invitation I need to get Russian visa?

If your trip is planned for up to 30 days, choose a single (or double) tourist invitation. If you would like to visit Russia several times or over 30 days - choose business invitation for six months or for one year. For most Russian consulates it's enough a copy of invitation (for Europe, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and others). Business invitation letters is appropriate only for EU, US citizens and some others. For UK citizens we can give FMS electronic invitation. (business invitation letter is not appropriate for UK by Russian Consulate rules).

What organizations can issue invitations for Russian visa? (IMPORTANT)

Invitations can only issue by officially tour operator which have license in accordance with 132 Russian Federal law. As you can see in a license of the Ministry of Tourism of Russian Federation (Rostourism) we are guaranteed to have the right to provide these services till 01.01.1970 . This means that you are guaranteed to get a visa to Russia without any problems. ( our license )

Also you can check the license on the website of the Federal Agency for Tourism

Don’t let our highly affordable prices fool you into thinking our quality isn\'t good. All official tour operators provides identical invitations (the content of invitation approved by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation), so the main thing with choosing a company is - valid license, price, convenient website, rush service and responsive communication

Is your service secure and reliable?

Our company has been providing this service since 1992, each year we prolonging our accreditation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our reference number is confirmed by Russian tourist license, which is pretty expensive in Russia by law (only the bank guarantee for tourism cost 30 million rubles per year – about 500 000 USD, also there is a lot of another fees), so we are very interested that each customer get Russian visa and recommend our service to his friends and partners.

Also for keeping high level of security our website based on https protocol - all data which we receive are well protected.

Why are invitations of visatoruss.com have a good price?

our office is located in Moscow (yes, it\'s in Russia) and we do not have to pay for office rent in your country;
we work without intermediaries;
we are managed to automate some processes, resulting in savings on labor;
we have a high volumes of sales;

P.S. our service provide invitations for Europe, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan citizens and others. For some another countries price can be higher.

How do get Russian visa with this invitation?

Print your invitation. Make a color photo, health insurance and other documents (a full list of documents to specify the consulate or visa application center in your country). Fill out the form on the website of the Consulate of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa.kdmid.ru.

Specify the tourism as a purpose of your trip, specify travel company, specify the name of travel organization, address, reference and confirmation (voucher №) numbers and the hotel(s) that listed in your invitation. Visit Russian consulate or visa application center, and after 3-5 days after your visit of consulate or visa application center you can get your Russian visa.

Is your service trustworthy? (IMPORTANT)

Yes, and it’s ok question when you visit website of company which based in foreign country and you are going to buy something. And this company is not Apple Inc, Ebay or similar.

Here are the arguments that say that we are trusted and reliable company and you can check it by yourself

1. Valid license, each year we make a lot of papers, fees and reports for authorities to prolong it. In section LICENSE you can find more information about it. And here you can check it online on official website of Russian tourist authority Rostourism . Now our license is valid till 01.01.1970 .

2. We use extremely secure payment providers as Stripe (for any types of cards), Apple Pay, Google Pay and Paypal. And by the way they made a strict verification of our company too before they allow to use their service for payments.

3. All your data is protected by respectable internet Security Company as COMODO GROUP.

Is your invitation appropriate for Airbnb, Booking.com or similar services?

If you are planning to stay in Russia in apartment of your friends, booked an apartment using Airbnb service, or hotel using Booking.com (or similar) service, or have not yet decided in what place in Russia you are going to stop, in all this cases to obtain a visa to Russia our invitation letter is appropriate for getting Russian visa.

Common mistakes in application form

Most often, our customers make mistakes in the passport number, and sometimes we receive an applications with wrong e-mail. Also check your travel dates - tourist visa can be issued only for 30 days (for example 09.12.2016 - 08.01.2017 - it\'s 31 days). Carefully double-check all the data in application. The invitation with mistakes can rejected by Consulate.

How you can still help the tourists coming to Russia?

Our company are supporting with the following additional services:

registration in Moscow.
transfer from the airport to your accommodation and back. The cost of taxi services in airports and hotels is 2-3 times higher than the pre-order here. Airports are located outside the city limits to 30 km.
various excursions, tickets to the Bolshoi Theater, and so on.

If you need some support you can contact us.

Don't see your question? contact us

So, when you have found out all about our services, you can proceed to order your invitations which will ensure you a Russian visa with 100% guarantee, and we believe that it just what you wanted.

If you have not yet decided with company which provide you a Russian invitation, we recommend you to add visatoruss.com site to your bookmarks, because you will not find cheaper service.

What kind of invitation do you prefer?

Select currency:

Single entry (up to 1 month)

Tourist invitation (tourist confirmation and tourist voucher)

Ready in 60 minutes
For a visa up to 30 days
Invitation sent directly to your email

Single entry (up to 3 months)

For a visa up to 90 days

Multiple entry (up to 6 months)

For a visa up to 180 days

Multiple entry (up to 12 months)

Business invitation letter

Ready in 1 working day
For a visa up to 1 year

Fill out the application form

Type of invitation, client information, trip information, what our customers say.

The following quotes are typical for the customer appreciation Visatoruss by Fortuna Travel receives. This underlines our commitment to provide total customer satisfaction and be your trusted service and advisor.

Some cases when invitation by Visatoruss company is just what you needed

You already have a hotel reservation and you need to get a visa to russia, you are going to visit your friend in russia and plan to stay in his apartments., you are going to visit russia, but first you want to get a visa and then plan your trip., you have booked an apartment on airbnb and you need to get a visa to russia., your cruise ship enters the port in russia (saint petersburg or vladivostok for example), and you want to walk freely around the city.

Russian Federation 101000, Moscow, Pokrovka st., 1/13/6, bld. 2, of. 2

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EXPERIENCE AND RELIABILITY

30 years of successful work in the tourism business.

VARIETY OF TOURS

As a tour operator in the Baltic States and Europe, we expand the geography of our routes every year.

ALWAYS GREAT PRICES

The main principles of our work are the quality of services and their optimal cost.

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Our consultants will be happy to answer all your questions and help you choose a trip.

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70% of our clients return to us.

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Home Offers Tours Transfer St. Petersburg Moscow Accommodation OffersToursTransferSt.PetersburgMoscowAccommodation Travel tipsVisaMedical TourismAbout usContact Phone / Fax 007-812-717-62-36 007-812-717-70-28 007-911-849-32-85 E-Mail [email protected] Visa If you need visa support please fill in this form.
my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel)
18 helpful votes. my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel) 5 years ago. Lately I wanted a business visa for Russia. I tried visatorussia website. They were offering a business invitation letter for 44 euros. I filled on their website all the information and got a paypal invoice in 10 minutes. I paid and in less than an hour I got an ...
Invitation for Russian visa online
In accordance with Russian law for getting Russian tourist or business visa you must have an invitation letter. Tourist invitation consists of two parts - the tourist confirmation letter ("подтверждение о приеме иностранного туриста" - in Russian) and the travel (tourist) voucher - in this documents there is necessary information which needs to apply ...
Tourist Voucher Russia for visa: how to get a tourist voucher for 19$
The tourist voucher can be provided by the hotel, but if not, you will need to buy it. You will also need a tourist voucher, if you plan to visit several cities or stay at a private home or AirBnB in Russia. If you need a voucher now, you can click here: get immediately a tourist voucher for 19$.
my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel)
Lately I wanted a business visa for Russia. I tried visatorussia website. They were offering a business invitation letter for 44 euros. I filled on their website all the information and got a paypal invoice in 10 minutes. I paid and in less...
Types of Russia Visa
Most foreign tourists need to obtain a Russian travel visa before visiting Russia. Depending on the purpose and length of visit one can apply for different types of visa. Electronic Visa. Citizens of 52 countries are able to enter Russia on an electronic visa and move around all over the country. The new rules came into force on January 1, 2021.
Everything You Need to Know About Russia's New E-Visas
Thank you. Citizens of 52 countries will be able to visit Russia with an electronic visa starting Jan. 1, 2021, according to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's order published Wednesday. While ...
How to Get a Russian Visa: Step by Step Guide
Step 2: Print out the Russian visa application form and write down its number (you obtained it in Step 2 via visa.kdmid.ru) Step 3: Apply through an authorized visa center depending on the country you're in: USA, Europe, Asia, UK ( Scotland ), Australia (see this list of all Russian visa centers ).
Russian Tourist Visa
The cost of a Russian tourist visa fee for citizens of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland is 35 EUR.; The cost of a Russian tourist visa fee for citizens of Japan is 32.8 EUR.; The cost of a Russian tourist visa for citizens of Angola, Cambodia, India and Vietnam are as follows: . Single entry visa - 37.6 EUR
my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel)
20 reviews. 17 helpful votes. my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel) 5 years ago. Save. Lately I wanted a business visa for Russia. I tried visatorussia website. They were offering a business invitation letter for 44 euros. I filled on their website all the information and got a paypal invoice in 10 minutes.
my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel)
20 reviews. 18 helpful votes. my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel) 5 years ago. Save. Lately I wanted a business visa for Russia. I tried visatorussia website. They were offering a business invitation letter for 44 euros. I filled on their website all the information and got a paypal invoice in 10 minutes.
Russian Visa Online, Tourist, Business, Multiple-Entry, Travel Russia
Complete Russian Visa support . Nowadays many respected travel organizations are ready to help you obtain visa support or process your Russian/CIS visas. As visa processing takes time and there has always been great demand for visa services, companies oftentimes can hardly handle all the requests though cost of visa to Russia remains quite high.
my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel)
20 reviews. 18 helpful votes. my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel) 5 years ago. Save. Lately I wanted a business visa for Russia. I tried visatorussia website. They were offering a business invitation letter for 44 euros. I filled on their website all the information and got a paypal invoice in 10 minutes.
Russian Visas
Russian Visas. The Russian government maintains a restrictive and complicated visa regime for foreigners who visit, transit, or reside in the Russian Federation. A U.S. citizen who does not comply with Russian visa laws can be subject to arrest, fines, and/or deportation. Russian authorities will not allow a U.S. citizen traveler with an ...
A comprehensive Russia travel guide for first-timers : Part 1
A comprehensive Russia travel guide. Russia has always been a dream destination for me even as a child. A reading of Russian folktales was a staple back then, and, those stories weaved wicker of Russia to me as a fantasy land, an enigma shrouded in the mystery of its Tsars.. And, I've always had an intense secretive desire of having a photograph clicked in front of the onion-domed St.Basil ...
Russia International Travel Information
Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories.
Russia travel insurance in 5 minutes (eVisa and paper visa)
Valid to apply for a Russian visa (eVisa and paper visa). Allows payment with foreign cards. ... Russia. For example, if your visa is valid for 180 days (from January 1st, 2024, to June 29th, 2024), and you initially travel to Russia from January 1st to January 15th, then it's enough to get insurance for these 15 days. If you return to Russia ...
Get Russian Visa Invitation Letter
A tourist invitation for Russian Tourist Visa is the easiest and cheapest type of Russian visa to get.A single or double-entry tourist visa for up to 30 days, a single or double-entry tourist visa for up to 3 months (up to 90 days) or a multiple-entry tourist visa for up to 6 months (up to 180 days) can be issued on the basis of the tourist ...
Invitation to russia for €9.99
Our company`'s Russian invitation letter just for €9.99 which consists of tourist confirmation and tourist voucher, will ensure you a Russian visa with 100% guarantee. Advantages of our company. Company Reference Number: 005287 Mailing Address: Russian Federation; 101000, Moscow, Pokrovka st., 1/13/6, bld. 2, of. 2.
Russian visa invitation in 5 minutes (PDF)
Official invitation accepted by the Russian consulate.The invitation, also called visa support document, tourist voucher, invitation letter, tourist confirmation or confirmation of hosting a foreign tourist, is issued by the Russian tour operator iVisaOnline (Visa Service, LLC).It is registered with the Federal Agency of Tourist Operators of the Russian Federation (Registration Number PTO 015681).
Visas to Russia
Visas to Russia. Визы в Россию от €72: туристическая виза, коммерческая (деловая) виза, транзитная виза. ... FORTUNA TRAVEL" company offers round-the-clock guarded parking lot for buses and trucks. More.

Tourist Voucher Russia for visa: how to get a tourist voucher for 19$ ?

What is a tourist voucher for Russia? Why do we need to buy it?

I need to buy a tourist invitation for the Russian visa, if I stay in:

How much does a tourist voucher for Russia cost?

Result of my experience: tourist voucher for Russia for 19$

Comparative of tourist vouchers for Russia

Tourist voucher Russia with detailed itinerary or detailed program

For a stay of less than 13 days

For a stay between 14 and 30 days

Is it necessary to inform the hotel about the tourist voucher Russia? Will this information be checked?

Tourist visa for Russia: my experience

Tourist voucher for Russia: AirBnb

Tourist voucher for Russia: Booking

Voucher Russia without hotel

Example of Russian Invitation letter for Russian visa

Other travel tips:

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my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel) - Russia Forum

my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel)

Types of Visa to Russia

How to Get a Russian Visa: Step by Step Guide

Which Type of Visa to Get?

Do You Need to Know Your Itinerary?

Can You Stay Where You Want?

What about Visa-free Travel and e-Visa?

Step 2: Submit the Russian Visa Application Form

Step 3: Apply for a Russian Visa

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Comments, Questions, Feedback?

my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel) - Russia Forum

my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel)

my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel) - Russia Forum

my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel)

Russian Visa Online

RUSSIAN VISA ONLINE

Complete Russian Visa support

Why Visa to Russia?

my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel) - Russia Forum

my experience with visatorussia (Fortuna Travel)

A comprehensive Russia travel guide for first-timers : Part 1

A comprehensive Russia travel guide

When is the best time to travel to Russia?

Is this Russia travel guide required to plan a trip?

Should I be wary of Russia and Russians?

Best time to visit Russia: Weather in Russia

My suggestion for the best season to visit Russia

Visiting Russia in Winter — December to March

White Nights in Saint Petersburg — April to August

The best month to visit Russia — September to early October:

Not the best month to visit Russia — Late October to November

Suggestions and recommendations in planning a Russia trip

Places to visit in Russia

Best destinations in Russia

How to plan a Russia itinerary?

Russia Itinerary – A sample

Russia Tourist Visa for Indians – How to apply?

What is a Russia tourist voucher or an invitation letter?

18 thoughts on “A comprehensive Russia travel guide for first-timers : Part 1”

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