Step-by-step guide to obtaining a Russian tourist visa, covering the electronic visa (e-Visa), consular visa application, required documents, invitation letters, and entry rules.
Check if the e-Visa (electronic visa) is available for your nationality
Russia offers a free e-Visa to citizens of 55 countries (including EU members, China, India, Turkey, and Japan). The e-Visa allows a 16-day stay within 60 days of issuance. US, UK, and Canadian citizens are NOT eligible for the e-Visa.
If e-Visa is not available, apply for a standard consular tourist visa
The consular tourist visa allows a stay of up to 30 days and requires an invitation letter (tourist voucher) from a Russian travel company. The fee varies: $160 USD for US citizens, $35-70 EUR for most EU nationals, and varies for other countries.
Check if your nationality is visa-exempt for short stays
Citizens of a few countries (Israel for 90 days, Argentina for 90 days, Brazil for 90 days, South Korea for 60 days) have visa-free access to Russia. Check the Russian MFA website for the complete list and allowed stay durations.
For cruise ship arrivals: 72-hour visa-free access through tour operators
Cruise passengers arriving at St. Petersburg or Vladivostok can stay visa-free for up to 72 hours if booked on organized shore excursions through a licensed Russian tour operator. Independent exploration requires a visa.
e-Visa Application (Eligible Nationalities Only)
Apply at the official e-Visa portal (electronic-visa.kdmid.ru)
Applications must be submitted at least 4 days before travel. The e-Visa is free — do not use third-party sites that charge fees. The portal is available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic.
Upload a digital passport photo and passport data page scan
Photo must be 3.5x4.5 cm, white background, JPEG format, under 1MB. The passport scan must show the full data page clearly. Blurry uploads are the most common rejection reason.
Enter travel details including entry point and accommodation
The e-Visa is valid for entry through all Russian border checkpoints (air, land, sea, rail). Enter your hotel name and address — this must match your actual accommodation. You can visit multiple cities within Russia on a single e-Visa.
Wait for approval (up to 4 calendar days)
Most e-Visas are approved within 1-2 days. Check the status on the portal using your application ID. The approved e-Visa is a PDF — print it and carry it along with your passport. No consulate visit is required.
Consular Tourist Visa Application
Obtain a tourist invitation letter (voucher) from a Russian travel agency
The invitation letter (also called a tourist voucher or visa support) is mandatory. Licensed Russian travel agencies sell these online for $15-30 USD without requiring you to book a tour. The letter includes a reference number and the agency's license number.
Choose a licensed Russian travel agency online
Provide your passport details and travel dates
Receive the invitation letter by email (1-3 days)
Complete the online visa application form at visa.kdmid.ru
The form takes 30-45 minutes to complete. It asks for your travel history over the past 10 years, employment details, and education. Save your application ID — you need it to retrieve the form. Print the completed form and sign it.
Gather required documents for the consulate submission
You need: passport (6 months validity, 2 blank pages), printed visa application form, passport photo (3.5x4.5 cm), invitation letter, travel insurance covering Russia with minimum $30,000 EUR coverage, and proof of accommodation. Some consulates require a cover letter.
Passport with at least 6 months validity
Printed and signed visa application form
One passport photo (3.5x4.5 cm, white background)
Tourist invitation letter from a Russian agency
Travel insurance with $30,000 EUR minimum medical coverage
Submit at the Russian consulate or via a visa application center
Many countries require submission through VFS Global or similar visa centers rather than directly at the consulate. The service fee for VFS Global is approximately $30-40 USD on top of the visa fee. Book an appointment 2-3 weeks in advance.
Pay the visa fee
US citizens pay $160 USD regardless of processing speed. EU citizens pay approximately 35 EUR (standard) or 70 EUR (express). Other nationalities pay $50-80 USD. Payment methods vary by consulate — check in advance whether they accept cash, card, or money orders.
Wait for processing (4-20 business days depending on type)
Standard processing: 4-10 business days. Express (not available at all consulates): 1-3 business days for double the fee. US citizens typically wait 10-20 business days regardless. Do not book non-refundable flights until your visa is confirmed.
Arriving in Russia
Fill out the migration card at the border (if not pre-filled)
The migration card is a two-part form: one part stays with immigration, the other is returned to you and must be kept until departure. At airports, cards are often pre-printed with your details from your visa. At land borders, fill it out manually in Latin characters.
Present passport, visa, migration card, and insurance at immigration
Immigration processing at Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) and Domodedovo (DME) airports takes 15-45 minutes. The officer stamps your migration card and passport. St. Petersburg Pulkovo (LED) is usually faster.
Keep your migration card safe — you cannot leave without it
The migration card is a small slip of paper that is easily lost. Take a photo of it immediately. If lost, you must visit the nearest migration office (GUVD) to get a replacement, which can take 1-3 business days and costs approximately 500 RUB.
Register with the migration authorities within 7 business days
Hotels register you automatically upon check-in (they keep a copy of your passport for this). If staying in a private residence, your host must register you at the post office or local migration office within 7 business days. Failure to register results in fines of 2,000-5,000 RUB.
During Your Stay and Departure
Carry your passport, visa, migration card, and registration at all times
Police have the legal right to check documents at any time. Random document checks happen in metro stations, near tourist attractions, and on the street. A photocopy is not legally valid — carry the originals. Failure to produce documents can result in a fine of 2,000-5,000 RUB.
Re-register if you change hotels or cities
Each new hotel registers you automatically. If moving between cities, the new hotel's registration replaces the previous one. If staying with private hosts in multiple cities, each host must register you separately.
Tourist visa extensions are generally not possible
Russian tourist visas cannot be extended except in extraordinary circumstances (medical emergency, natural disaster, flight cancellations). If you need more time, you must leave Russia and apply for a new visa from abroad.
Depart before your visa expires — overstay consequences are severe
Overstaying by even 1 day results in a fine of 5,000-7,000 RUB and potential detention until a court hearing. Overstays beyond 30 days trigger a 3-year re-entry ban. Overstays beyond 180 days trigger a 5-year ban. Beyond 270 days: 10-year ban. Always leave on time.
Return the migration card at the border when departing
Hand your migration card to the immigration officer at departure. Without it, expect delays of 30-60 minutes while they verify your records. The officer stamps your passport with the exit date. Keep the exit stamp page accessible for future visa applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Russia tourist visa cost for US citizens?
US citizens pay $160 for a Russian tourist visa regardless of the number of entries (single, double, or multiple entry). This is significantly higher than the $40-80 fee for most other nationalities due to reciprocity pricing. Additional service fees of $30-40 apply when applying through a visa application center (like VFS Global). Expedited processing (3 business days) adds $60-100. Agency assistance services range from $50-200 on top of government fees.
Do I need a letter of invitation for a Russian visa?
Yes, all Russian tourist visa applicants need a tourist voucher (also called a tourist confirmation or letter of invitation) issued by a Russian tour operator or hotel registered with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Many hotels provide this document upon booking, or you can purchase one from visa support services online for $15-30. The voucher must include your full name, passport details, travel dates, and the reference number of the issuing company. This document is submitted with your visa application.
How long does Russian visa processing take?
Standard processing at Russian embassies and consulates takes 10-20 business days. Express processing (3-5 business days) is available for an additional fee. Some visa centers offer same-day or next-day processing for urgent requests at premium prices. Russian consulates in the US have limited appointment availability, so schedule your appointment 6-8 weeks before your trip. Processing times can increase significantly before major Russian holidays and during summer travel season.
Can I visit Russia with an e-Visa?
Russia launched an e-Visa system for citizens of 55 countries in 2023, allowing single-entry visits of up to 16 days. The e-Visa costs $52 and is processed within 4 calendar days. It is valid for entry through designated border checkpoints, including major airports (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok) and some land borders. US citizens are currently NOT eligible for the Russian e-Visa due to the reciprocity principle. Check the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for current e-Visa eligibility.