About Private Visas to Russia
There are a few different types of private visas that foreigners can apply for. Which type of private visa or whether you actually need one over another type of visa is largely due to:
- Which country your passport is from
- Whether you have Russian family members
- Whether you can get to a Russian consulate
- How long your stay in Russia will be
Pros and Cons of Each Type of Private Visa
A short-term private visa is available to almost any passport holder who gets an official invitation from MVD in Russia. This type of visa is a single or double-entry visa valid for 30 or 90 days.
The inviting person applies at their local MVD office in Russia and the process usually takes approximately 3 weeks for the invitation to be processed and costs 800 rubles.
The benefits to this type of visa are:
- it’s available to non-family members (friends) of the inviting person.
- the invitation is electronic and is automatically delivered to the consulate indicated in the invitation. The applicant just needs a copy that can be emailed.
- the applicant and inviting person do NOT have to appear in person at a consulate or visa center. The visa can be processed by an agency like Let’s Russia.
- this private visa is available to practically all passport holders.
The downsides of this type of visa are:
- the invitation takes approximately 3 weeks to process.
- the applicant can only apply at the consulate indicated in the invitation.
- the inviting person must provide multiple documents to apply for the invitation.
- the visa is for short-term stays no more than 90 days.
- the applicant must leave Russia in order to get a new visa.
A one-year private visa is available to almost any passport holder who has Russian family members. This type of visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 1 year.
The inviting person applies at consulate or visa center and the process invitation is a form that is filled out within a few minutes.
The benefits to this type of visa are:
- the invitation can be done within a few minutes.
- the visa is valid for multiple entries for up to one whole year.
- each stay in Russia can be up to one whole year.
- this private visa is available to practically all passport holders with Russian family members.
The downsides of this type of visa are:
- either the applicant or inviting person must appear in person at a consulate or visa center to apply for the visa.
- the applicant or inviting person must provide originals of the invitation and documents proving kinship.
- the invitation must be notarized at a Russian notary IF the inviting person cannot appear in person at the consulate or visa center.
A 3-year private visa is available only to US passport holders. This type of visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 3 years.
The inviting person completes the form at either a Russian notary or US notary which can be completed within a few minutes.
The benefits to this type of visa are:
- the invitation can be done within an hour at a local notary.
- it’s not required to have the original invitation, a copy of the invitation can be emailed.
- the visa is valid for multiple entries for up to 3 years.
- this visa is valid for any US passports holders whether they have Russian family members or not.
- there is no minimum time needed to spend outside Russia between visits.
- it’s not required to appear in person at a Russian consulate or visa center. It can be done remotely through an agency like Let’s Russia. There is no need to travel anywhere.
- the inviting person does NOT need to provide many documents, only his/her passport.
The downsides of this type of visa are:
- this visa is ONLY available to US passport holders.
- the inviting person must have a valid Russian internal passport with valid registration stamp.
- this visa allows for stays up to 6 months and then the visa holder must leave Russia before entering again.