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.