Get a Russia Visa

Sample of the Business Travel Requirements for an Russia Visa for UK Citizens

1. Entry and Exit Dates

   Russian visas are issued with specific start and expiry dates which are based on the visa support supplied. Travel must be completed within those dates. Completed visas cannot be changed or extended once they have been issued

2. Passport

   The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:

   • Have at least two blank visa pages 
   • Be valid for six months beyond the expiry date of the visa

3. Photographs

   One passport sized colour photograph. The photograph must:

   • Be taken against a white background
   • Be taken within the last six months
   • Be 35mm x 45mm in size

4. Business Introduction Letter

   A letter of introduction from the applicant's UK employer. A copy is acceptable. This letter must:

   • Be on company letterhead paper
   • Include the name of the applicant
   • Specify the purpose of journey
   • Include the name of the organisation(s) to be visited
   • Specify the requested number of entries and the length of visa required
   • Contain the exact name of the inviting party as stated on the Letter of Invitation 
   • Include an acceptance of financial responsibility for the applicant
   • Be signed by the applicant's supervisor or the company's HR department

   A sample Business Introduction Letter can be found with the Application Pack

5. Letter of Invitation

   A letter of invitation/telex of approval from Russia is required. Multiple entry visas require the original letter of invitation. The invitation/telex must be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its regional representatives or by an appropriate Russian Federation Migration Service Branch. All applications supplied with a telex of approval must be received at VisaCentral before 6pm for next day submission. The invitation must:

   • Include the name of applicant
   • State the purpose of journey
   • Specify dates of entry and departure
   • Bear an official seal and legal address of the host institution
   • State the document registration number and date of registration
   • Bear the signature and name of the official authorised to invite foreigners to Russia

   VisaCentral can obtain a Russia Business Invitation on your behalf. Simply complete and return the Russia Business Invitation Order Form found within the VisaCentral Application Pack

6. Visa Application Form

   One fully completed and signed application form. This form must:

   • Be completed online at http://evisa.kdmid.ru/ [Handwritten changes are not accepted]
   • Be printed on two separate pages. (Page size must be set to A4) 
   • Have borders on all four sides of each page supplied 
   • Include all cities that are stated on the invitation at Q.14
   • Include entry and departure dates that match or fall within the dates stated on the invitation
   • Include at least one previous place of work at Q.27
   • Include at least one educational institute attended other than high school at Q.28
   • Bear an original signature that matches the applicant's passport

   Applicants who are unable to complete Q.27 and/or Q.28 must provide a signed letter addressed to the Russian Embassy confirming that they do not have a previous place of work and/or they have not attended any institute of higher education. A copy is acceptable.

7. VisaCentral Order Confirmation

   For orders placed on the VisaCentral website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.

   For all other orders, and where applicable, a completed Manual Order Form should be submitted.

8. Multiple Entry Applicants

   One year multiple entry visa holders may enter Russia multiple times, however the total number of days stay cannot exceed 90 days in any 180 day period 

9. Self Employed Applicants

   Self-employed or unemployed applicants must provide copies of their last three bank statements showing a minimum credit balance of £100.00 for every day of stay in Russia. Online banking printouts are only acceptable if stamped and certified by the bank 

10. Holders of a Valid Russian Visa

    Applicants are only permitted to hold one valid Russian visa at any one time. Applicants holding a valid visa in a current or second passport must present this for cancellation

11. Holders of a Telex of Approval

    All applications supplied with a telex of approval must be received at VisaCentral before 6pm for next day submission. 

Sample of the Tourist Travel Requirements for an Russia Visa for UK Citizens

1. Entry and Exit Dates

   Russian visas are issued with specific start and expiry dates which are based on the visa support supplied. Travel must be completed within those dates. Completed visas cannot be changed or extended once they have been issued

2. Passport

   The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:

   • Have at least two blank visa pages 
   • Be valid for six months beyond the expiry date of the visa

3. Photographs

   One passport sized colour photograph. The photograph must:

   • Be taken against a white background
   • Be taken within the last six months
   • Be 35mm x 45mm in size

4. Proof of Purpose

   Evidence of proof of purpose. This must be provided as:

   A copy of a Russia Tourist Voucher and Russia Tourist Confirmation. This must:

   • Be stamped and signed by an authorised person from the Russian Foreign Ministry
   • Be issued for stay of 30 days or less
   • Bear the exact entry and exit dates required by the applicant and as stated on the visa application form  

   Applicants who hold tourist vouchers which state "Aim Tourism" must select this as purpose of trip when completing the online visa form.

   VisaCentral can obtain a Russia Tourist Voucher and Tourist Confirmation on your behalf. Simply complete and return the Russia Tourist Confirmation Order Form found within the VisaCentral Application Pack.

5. Visa Application Form

   One fully completed and signed application form. This form must:

   • Be completed online at http://evisa.kdmid.ru/ [Handwritten changes are not accepted]
   • Be printed on two separate pages. (Page size must be set to A4) 
   • Have borders on all four sides of each page supplied 
   • Include all cities that are stated on the invitation at Q.14
   • Include entry and departure dates that match or fall within the dates stated on the invitation
   • Include at least one previous place of work at Q.27
   • Include at least one educational institute attended other than high school at Q.28
   • Bear an original signature that matches the applicant's passport

   Applicants who are unable to complete Q.27 and/or Q.28 must provide a signed letter addressed to the Russian Embassy confirming that they do not have a previous place of work and/or they have not attended any institute of higher education. A copy is acceptable.

6. VisaCentral Order Confirmation

   For orders placed on the VisaCentral website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.

   For all other orders, and where applicable, a completed Manual Order Form should be submitted.

7. Self Employed Applicants

   Self-employed or unemployed applicants must provide copies of their last three bank statements showing a minimum credit balance of £100.00 for every day of stay in Russia. Online banking printouts are only acceptable if stamped and certified by the bank 

8. Holders of a Valid Russian Visa

   Applicants are only permitted to hold one valid Russian visa at any one time. Applicants holding a valid visa in a current or second passport must present this for cancellation