Russian Transit Visa Letter Expaining Why Youre Traveling to Russia

Russian Visas: Frequently Asked Questions

In this department of our site, y'all will find questions that we are frequently asked about Russian visas and some general answers to them.

We try to ensure that information contained in this section is accurate and upwards to engagement, nonetheless if you don't find what you are looking for here or accept specific questions, please either cheque our forum for answers, post yous own question to the forum or contact usa, and we will be happy to help.

If you are applying for a Russian visa with us, then we volition provide you with all you demand to know throughout the process. Withal, if you want to know more near what to expect from the visa application process the questions beneath volition have y'all covered.

What is a Russian visa?

A visa to the Russian federation is a document stuck into your passport, permitting stay in Russian federation for a specific menses of time and for a specific purpose such as tourism or business. A visa lists the flow during which yous may stay in Russia, the number of times y'all may enter and go out, your passport details and some information most the inviting party.

Please note: Your Russian visa is an exit permit but similar information technology'southward an entry permit. If y'all lose it or stay over your designated departure appointment, leaving Russia could be more troublesome than entering information technology.

Important:Do not try to enter Russian federation simply using Visa Back up Documents, y'all will be deported immediately at your ain cost! The visa is a full folio document pasted into your passport and you can see what i looks similar past clicking here.

Do I need a visa to enter Russia?

Most foreign nationals, including those from the UK, are required to have entry visas to travel to the Russian Federation. Citizens of former CIS Republics, except Georgia and Turkmenistan, may enter Russia with their national passports.

If y'all are transiting through Russia and do not get out the airport, and then y'all will not demand a visa. However, if you are transiting and demand to leave the airport (to stay overnight in a hotel, transfer to a different aerodrome etc) then you will need a visa. When transiting, If your stay in Russian federation is less than 72 hours we may obtain a transit visa on your behalf, please contact the states for details.

How long does it take to go a Russian visa and how much does it cost?

It takes between 4 working days and 6 weeks to become your Russian visa depending upon the blazon that you need. The cost too varies co-ordinate to the visa'south type and how quickly you need it. Delight see our visa-specific pages for Russian visas (accessible hither) for price options.

In our service tables, we list processing days equally a guide to how long it will take to go your visa from the Russian Consulate for the type and service you require. Processing days are business days and exclude weekends, UK public holidays, official Russian public holidays and postal fourth dimension.

Click here to utilise our visa calculator to notice out more near your specific requirements

How do I read a Russian Visa?

It is very important that you confirm your visa is suitable for your journey before yous employ it. As some of the data on your Russian visa will be in Russian, we take produced a short guide on deciphering what information technology says.

Click hither to see the guide on reading a Russian Visa

What is the difference betwixt a tourist visa and a business visa?

Tourist visas are valid for upwards to i month and allow either a single or double entry and get out, while business visas are valid from between 1 to 12 months and may allow multiple entries and exits.

Practice I have to be travelling to Russia on Business to get a Business visa?

The purpose of visit requested for your visa should by and large correspond with your initial visit intentions. The purpose of visit will be written on the visa support documents and encoded into your visa. Notwithstanding, this does non restrict y'all to this purpose and you lot may, for example, use a business visa to besides visit family or friends or apply a cultural visa to after visit Russian federation for business organisation purposes.

Can I travel on a private trip with a tourist visa?

Yes, you tin. The type of visa you choose depends on the purpose and the length of your trip. For a tourist visa to Russia, you must accept confirmed adaptation or transit data for every night of your stay in the country. We volition provide you with visa support invitation to satisfy this requirement and confirming your accommodation/itinerary. No hotel reservations or bookings are needed on your part. Remember, you must register your visa when you go far in Russia. If you have a Russian spouse who is living in the UK, and you will be travelling in together, they can apply for a private visa for you without needing a visa support invitation. Please contact us for more information.

Can I have more one Russian visa in my passport at once?

No, you can just have one active visa for a specific land in your passport at whatsoever one fourth dimension.

If y'all have an active visa (that is a visa that is not expired, used or cancelled) for Russia in your passport (or in a second passport) at the time we utilise at the consulate for a new i, so the current agile visa will be cancelled when the new visa is issued; this will mean submitting both passports to the Consulate in cases where the existing visa is in a different passport from the new 1 being applied for.

You should take this into consideration when ordering a new or replacement visa, if you lot have any questions then please feel free to contact united states and we will be happy to help.

Tin I process an invitation for a private visa through your company?

Sorry, no you tin can't, equally we provide just tourist and business organization visas and visa support documents. Friends or relatives who will host you during your Russian visit volition need to obtain a visa invitation for y'all from the Passport and Visa Department of the local Police Precinct. This original official invitation will demand to be mailed to you equally Russian Consulates worldwide accept only original private visa invitations. Obtaining this type of invitation can exist a very lengthy and troublesome procedure, and we propose applying for either Tourist visa or Business visa instead. However, if you accept received your original invitation documents from Russia and want us to assistance yous prepare, social club, collect and check your visa and then please contact u.s. and nosotros will be happy to help.

How can I bank check on the progress of my visa or support application?

To cheque on the progress of your application with united states, please click here and and so enter in your application reference number. If you take lost this, and then please contact us.

Yous volition as well receive automatic emails and notifications from our organisation as the condition of your visa application changes.

Should I provide you with the exact travel dates in my application for a tourist invitation or can I give you rough dates?

A Russian tourist visa is issued for the exact dates you request and every bit shown on the invitation upwardly to a maximum of xxx days inclusive of day of entry and exit.

Please note: You may non enter Russian federation before the visa starts and you must leave Russia earlier the visa expires. Therefore, we would suggest that you add a few days before and after your expected dates of travel to permit for changes in your plans and you can then enter and exit Russia inside that period.

How can I alter some details in my awarding?

In instance you have provided us wrong details or forgotten about something, delight contact us immediately and we volition see what nosotros can do. Depending upon which phase nosotros are at with your application, nosotros may be able to make the alteration without charge, go far with an boosted accuse or not to change information technology at all.

I am living in the UK, but I still have Russian citizenship. Exercise I need a visa?

If y'all are a Russian citizen and accept a valid Russian passport, you have to enter Russian federation with it and there is no visa required.

If your Russian passport has expired you must renew your Russian passport and travel on this.

The consulate will merely process a visa for a person built-in in Russia if they can prove that they accept never had, or have renounced, their Russian citizenship. Call up, even if your Russian passport has expired, or you obtain a second foreign passport, this does not mean that you are no longer a Russian citizen.

Tin I get an e-visa for St Petersburg?

Equally of 1st Oct 2019, nationals of up to 53 strange states (excluding the UK and USA) may be granted an due east-visa to enter Russia through Leningrad, Kalingrad and the Saint petersburg region via aeroplane, ship or vehicle*. The e-visa is typically issued within 4 calendar days, including weekends and bank holidays. Dissimilar conventional visas, at that place is no need for any invitations, confirmations or to visit the consular agency.

*Information technology is not currently possible to apply for an e-visa if travelling by train.

How the eastward-visa works:

Fill up in your e-visa awarding class.
Get your due east-visa emailed to you.
Print out the notification or download this to your mobile phone.
Show your notification to a transport company employee.
Show your notification to a Edge Service Officeholder at the border.

Please note: The e-visa is valid for travellers going to the specified regions but, you cannot visit other parts of Russia with this e-visa. In addition, information technology is not currently possible to get entry and exit on an east-visa by railroad train at this time.

States that can employ for an east-visa:

Republic of austria
Andorra
Bahrain
Kingdom of belgium
Bulgaria
Vatican
Hungary
Germany
Hellenic republic
Denmark
Bharat
Indonesia
Iran
Ireland
Republic of iceland
Spain
Italian republic
Qatar
Cyprus

Red china
Taiwan
The Autonomous Republic of Korea
Kuwait
Republic of latvia
Lithuania
Principality of liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
Kingdom of norway
Oman
Poland
Portugal
Romania

San Marino
Saudi Arabia
North Macedonia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Turkey
Philippines
Republic of finland
France
Croatia
Czechia
Switzerland
Sweden
Estonia
Nihon

Exercise children (under xviii) need a Russian visa?

There is no need to apply for a child's visa as long as they are included in one of their parent'southward passport. In this case, they volition only have to obtain a visa support document.

If a child has a separate passport, then they will demand to obtain a separate visa as well.

Please note: Children applying for Russian visa may need to provide boosted documents with their application depending on who they are submitting their application with or/and who they will be travelling to Russia with.

No additional documents are required when a child is applying together with parent(due south) of the same surname.
When a child is applying together with parent(s) of a different surname, a copy of child'south birth certificate needs to exist presented. In the event where, for example, a child is travelling with their female parent whose surname in her current passport is her bodily married name and the kid bears a surname of her ex-partner, so a copy of mother's marriage and divorce certificate has to exist provided. More often than not speaking, a connection between kid's and parent'due south surname, if different, will ever need to exist proved.
When a kid is travelling to Russia either alone or with somebody else who is not their parent; the boosted documents will need to include a re-create of i of their parent's passports and a signed copy of a parental consent alphabetic character.
Please note: If the child travels with their parent or somebody else just is applying for their visa separately, then a copy of parent's/that person's passport forth with a copy of their valid Russian visa has to be supplied too.

Birth, marriage or divorce document and a parental consent letter do not demand to be notarised, apostilled or witnessed by a solicitor and y'all should non transport the originals unless you are specifically asked to exercise so.

If the child cannot sign the application course themselves, so the parent should sign it on their behalf and notation this under the signature, due east.g. Female parent/Male parent.

Obtaining an accompanying three, vi or twelve month child visa for adults travelling with a Russian business visa

If y'all wish to obtain a three, six or twelve month visa for a kid to accompany an adult travelling on a business visa, then yous need to be aware of the following:

To allow us to raise the "accompanying family member" visa back up documents, at least one parent must be travelling with the kid and have their business visa support issued at the aforementioned fourth dimension as their child. A copy of the kid's nascency certificate is likewise required.
The "accompanying family unit fellow member" visa support documents provider has to exist the same as that of the related parent'south visa; so if the parent(due south) arranged their own visa support (i.e. non through Real Russia), they will need to practise the same for their child.
When submitting a child'south application once the parent's visa has already been issued, then a copy of their parent's passport along with a copy of their valid Russian visa has to be supplied too.
A kid'due south accompanying family unit member visa dates must be the same equally or within the parent's.

Finally, all of the above explicitly applies to the Uk but. Consulates' rules in other countries may be unlike. Please bank check before you employ.

Updates to the private visa application process for children

A new law simplifying the individual visa application process for children was introduced in March 2010.

Governed past this rule and under the post-obit weather, the children tin can employ for a Russian visa without a visa support document if:

A child is under 18 years of age
The parent they will exist travelling to Russia with is a Russian passport holder

The parent holding a Russian passport has to submit their kid's application in person at the Russian Visa Application Centre.

The documents to exist supplied are as follows:

Child's passport
Child's passport-sized picture. Generally speaking, the Consulate's requirement is to provide a photograph which is not older than vi months. Notwithstanding, every bit children change very fast, their film has to be taken within a few weeks of the application and cannot be same as in the passport.
Child'due south visa application form signed either by child or their parent
Parent's original Russian passport
Parent's original UK visa (either stamped in the Russian passport or a dissever residence permit) or original Great britain passport
Child'due south original nascency certificate
Parent's original marriage/divorce certificate if the child's and parent's surname differs
Whatsoever extra paperwork for non-UK nationals where applicable (please cheque our website for more details)

Delight contact us for more information.

What documents should I bring to the Russian Consulate/Russian Visa Application Eye?

If you are applying for your visa yourself, y'all should bring:

Your support documents.
Your passport which must be valid for 6 months subsequently your proposed departure from Russia and have two blank pages.
A single passport photo.
The consular fee (postal social club or greenbacks only).
Proof of medical insurance.
A completed application form.
Recent bank statements (if self-employed or unemployed).

Anyway, information technology is always a good thought to arrive touch with the Russian Visa Application Heart in social club to check the latest update on the required documents.

Can I send these documents by post?

Unfortunately, you cannot send your documents to the Consulate past mail service, as post-obit the presidential order, as of 10th December 2014 all applicants over 12 years of age applying for their Russian visas in the Great britain, Denmark, Myanmar and Namibia are required to provide their biometric data at the time of having their visa documents submitted for processing at the consulate.

Information on the requirements and the new process may be found here.

Why is biometric data needed for my visa application?

Russia has introduced biometric data collection of visa applicants to aid with managing its security and command illegal clearing. The equipment used is similar to that used past the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland authorities when collecting biometric information from applicants for UK visas, and the data will be stored and managed by the ministry building of foreign affairs and migration services for the purposes outlined above.

When applying for a Russian visa you will demand to book an appointment to take your biometrics taken before you submit your visa application.

Learn more than about how the Russian visa biometrics process will work and where to become to submit your fingerprints.

Why should I use Existent Russia when applying for a Russian visa?

Getting a Russian visa can be very fourth dimension consuming and stressful if applying past yourself, while it is possible to practice this yourself at the Russian Visa Application Middle in London, support volition non be available to yous. Here we have listed some of the benefits of applying through us:

Practiced advice
Peace of mind.
Simplicity.
Convenience.

We are familiar with the visa application process and have a thorough understanding of the relevant requirements of the Consulate in London. In other words, we will do all we can to ensure your application is successful.
We provide pre-application support, pregnant that if you have any questions regarding your visa application or need help completing your visa application class, we are just a message or a phone telephone call away.
Earlier you go to the Visa Application Centre in London to provide your fingerprints, nosotros check all your documents thoroughly in our London office to ensure that your visa awarding is complete and correct.
If for whatever reason in that location is a problem with your application while you are at the Visa Awarding Centre, nosotros are just 30 minutes away so nosotros can hands rectify this.
We pay for your visa application and collect your passport from the Visa Application Centre/Consulate in one case your visa has been issued so yous practice not need to worry about information technology.
We bank check that your visa has been issued correctly and either hold your passport in our London office so you or someone else can collect it, or nosotros can mail service it to your domicile, work accost or an address of your selection.

I am a foreign national currently staying in the Uk. Tin you process my Russian visa application?

In many cases, yes we can.

If you have a UK residency permit, a UK residency visa (such every bit ILR or a spouse visa) or a long term United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland visa (such as work or student) and then generally we tin procedure your awarding.

If you lot wish to obtain a visa for a EU passport, a passport that does non crave entry clearance into the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland or take a short term United kingdom visa then generally nosotros can process your application if you tin can prove you take been a resident in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland for 90 days or more.

Citizens of Latin America, Africa and Asian countries should go their visas in the Russian Consulate of their native countries.

All passport holders of African countries (except South African) and Asian and South American countries, Afghanistan, Islamic republic of pakistan, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Republic of iraq, Nigeria, Cameroon, China, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and countries that edge these should contact usa before making an application.

I am non in the United kingdom at the moment. Can you lot process my Russian visa application?

Unfortunately, nosotros volition not be able to process your Russian visa following the presidential lodge of tenth December 2014. All applicants over 12 years of age applying for their Russian visas in the UK, Denmark, Myanmar and Namibia are required to provide their biometric data at the fourth dimension of having their visa documents submitted for processing at the Consulate.

Information on the requirements and the new process may be institute hither.

If you are not in the UK when applying for your visas you lot will need to send your applications to us by courier or secure post and we would render them the same way.

If you would like us to return your passport and visas by courier, select "Other courier — price on application" as the return delivery option when ordering your visa, complete the credit card authorisation grade, enclose this with your awarding and we will accuse your bill of fare direct for the render courier to your requested accost.

If you are in mainland Europe then you may choose to use Regal Post international signed for delivery at the fourth dimension of ordering your visa online past selecting "European mainland delivery" as the return delivery option.

For the return courier or European mainland delivery, please ensure that you give united states of america the full return address including a post code and local contact telephone number — you may use the comments box on the online form for this purpose.

In all cases passport holders of African countries (except South African) and Asian and South American countries, Transitional islamic state of afghanistan, Pakistan, Algeria, Egypt, Islamic republic of iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Cameroon, China, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and countries that edge these should contact us before making an awarding.

Tin can you go me a work allow or student visa for Russia?

No, Real Russian federation cannot provide work permits for foreign nationals who wish to work in Russian federation, these tin can only be obtained from the company that you are going to work for in Russia. If you lot are going to piece of work in Saghalien then delight encounter the following information.

We as well cannot issue visa invitations with the purpose of "education" or "study", again this is just legal if issued by the schoolhouse, college or university that you will exist attending.

If required we can help with the processing at the consulate of these visas, please contact us for details.

What proof of residency can I provide for a Russian visa?

Earlier the Russian Consulate in London accept applications for visas from non-UK nationals (not applicable to the passport holders of Canada, Czechia, Poland, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Sweden and USA, among others), they crave the applicants to demonstrate that:

They have been lawfully residing in the UK, i.e. are in a possession of the relevant long-term UK visa (for example, S African nationals), or
They have been residing in the UK for a minimum flow of time.

Usually this is 90 days for most nationals of the Eu and New Zealand, and 180 days for Australians. If however, the passport holders of Commonwealth of australia or New Zealand have got an entry stamp entitling them for a six month stay in the UK, this seems to be sufficient for the Consulate regardless of how far in advance it was obtained. This rule is subject to alter, and then please contact usa if it applies to you.

Delight annotation: The proof of residency requirement does not apply to the applicants of Russian concern or humanitarian visas where the visa support is provided as a "telex".

If yous have been asked to provide the proof of your residency or address in the UK yous should submit a re-create one the following documents:

Copy of Great britain passport
If you are a dual national, you may provide a copy of your U.k. passport. This does not need to exist notarised.
UK visa or Britain entry postage
If you lot have a valid United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland visa in your passport or a UK entry stamp, please mark the relevant folio with a pocket-sized sticker/tab.

If your UK visa or entry postage stamp is in some other passport, delight provide a copy its photo page forth with a copy of the visa or postage with your application documents.

Despite the official rule stating that if yous take a UK entry stamp, it would need to prove that yous had entered the UK at least 90 days prior to applying for the Russian visa. The Russian Consulate in London is known to take visa applications even for UK entry postage holders who had arrived only a day before they submitted their visa request. This is discipline to alter so delight contact usa if this applies to you and nosotros will be able to check the electric current requirements with the Consulate.
Letter from employer, school or university
Letter from your employer, school or university on headed paper, dated no more two weeks before you submit your visa application to the Consulate. Information technology must ostend your name and the month and year of your employment or enrollment (minimum).
Utility bills
Copies of utility bills such equally council tax, gas, electricity or water. These must cover the previous ninety-day menstruum and detail both your proper noun and UK accost. The latest nib must be dated no earlier than ii weeks prior to submission of your documents to the Consulate.
Bank statements
Copies of bank statements should encompass the previous xc-twenty-four hours period, particular your proper noun and UK accost and must not be older than two weeks at the fourth dimension of applying for your visa. The nearly contempo balance should ideally provide a minimum of £100 a day while in Russia.

There may exist copies of official paper statements (i.e. those sent by post), printouts of online statements or bank printouts. For online statements or bank printouts it is desirable, though not mandatory, that you get them stamped and signed by the bank. Please click hither for more information.

Delight notation: Credit card bills, depository financial institution statements in excel format, mobile phone bills and tenancy agreements will not exist accepted.

Documents listed in indicate 2 (entry postage), 3, 4 and 5 are considered to exist a sufficient proof of residency merely for sure nationalities (normally Australian, European Matrimony, and New Zealand passport holders). To check the requirements based on your nationality, delight visit the tourist or business visa folio and select your nationality in section "What documents practice I need to provide with my application pack?"

Do I need to register my Russian visa?

All strange citizens arriving in the Russian Federation must register their visas inside vii working days of their arrival (excluding weekends and official public holidays). An unregistered visa can cause problems and delays with fifty-fifty the most common tasks that require a passport as identification and even cause yous to be denied go out from Russia.

Visa registration procedures and requirements can differ in each urban center and region of Russia. Please see our short guide to registering your visa for more than information.

I accept been asked to provide bank statements, why?

Applicants answering "self-employed" or "unemployed" to the question regarding their current employment status on a Russian visa application volition need to provide copies of their bank statements for the last full three months to demonstrate that they can fund their trip.

Where the applicant's abode address matches their piece of work address they will likewise be asked to provide bank statements, unless the applicant tin can provide a letter of the alphabet from their company stating that they are a company employee.

Please note: The bidder cannot sign this letter themselves.

Homemakers, retired people and students are non required to submit the bank statements in any upshot.

What format exercise banking company statements need to be for Russian visa applications?

If you lot have been asked to provide depository financial institution statements for a Russian visa application, so they must meet the following requirements:

Cover the last 90 days and be no more than two weeks erstwhile at the time of application.
The official banking company statements should be sent by post (preferable).
Internet or banking company-printouts are acceptable as long as they "await official" and include the applicants proper noun and the account details. Printouts no longer need to be signed and stamped by the bank still information technology is preferable if they are.
Mention the applicant'southward name (or the company'due south name as per details on the application form).
The nigh recent residue must provide for a minimum assart of £100 a 24-hour interval while in Russian federation.

Boosted information to consider:

May be from a bank business relationship held anywhere in the world, non necessarily a UK 1.
May be a current, deposit or savings account argument.
Credit card statements are not adequate.
Copies are adequate; please practice not transport the originals unless specifically asked to do so.

If the bidder doesn't have three months of official statements roofing the last 90 days and so it is possible to provide a mixture of official statements and net/banking company printouts, for case; official statements for 2 months and an boosted online argument showing the same account details for i month.

If the rest on the almost recent argument does non cover the minimum £100 a day requirement then the bidder should also supply one of the following:

A letter from their company stating that the company they work for/ host organisation in Russian federation volition encompass all their expenses.
A mixture of statements from 2 sources, for example; 3 months bank argument from a electric current business relationship and too a copy of the nearly recent savings account statement proving the additional funds.
A letter from themselves confirming the actual length of their planned trip and showing enough money to cover this catamenia (for example, this may be a individual visa valid where the official invitation is for xc days whilst the customer is expecting to stay in Russia for a week just). Nonetheless applicants should exist enlightened that the consulate may decide to grant a visa merely for the catamenia requested.
A letter signed past their friend or relative confirming that they will financially support the bidder if the need arises. A copy of the friend's or relative's photo folio from their passport should be provided along with copies of their final total iii months banking concern statements as detailed above.

What are Russian migration cards for?

On the 10th February 2003, the requirements for Migration cards came into forcefulness for the purposes of migration command into the territory of the Russian Federation. Every strange citizen (except for the members of the diplomatic missions and international organisations) is required to fill up in a migration card when entering Russian federation. Y'all tin view a sample card here.

You will exist given a migration carte by your carrier before you enter Russia, they are also bachelor at the ports of entry. You should complete both parts (entry and exit) and hand this over to the passport control officer on entry.

Please keep information technology safe and hand it back over again to the passport control officer at difference. If you lose your migratory carte you should written report this to the regional bodies of the Federal Migration Service (FMS) within three days.

Please note: Your next entry into the Russian federation may be restricted if you practice not submit your migration card when leaving the state.

Can I extend my tourist visa while in Russian federation and if so, for how long?

Generally speaking, Russian visas cannot be extended except in cases such equally:

Missing your flight.
Accident.
Serious affliction.
Seat unavailability in example of an open up-appointment ticket.

In all the cases mentioned above, our Moscow office can extend your visa for upwardly to 2 weeks and you will need to provide the advisable documents to prove your example. The cost of the exit visa varies according to circumstances and volition exist between £100 to £250. If you believe that you may need to stay for more than xxx days, you should consider a business organisation visa.

What do I exercise if my visa is lost or stolen?

In the unfortunate effect, that you lot lose your Russian visa or this is stolen, yous demand a replacement exit visa.

First of all, you must contact a local police precinct and make a asking for an official certificate confirming that your visa was lost. To make the processing easier we recommend you to state that your documents were lost, non stolen.

So, y'all demand to get a new passport from the British Diplomatic mission in Moscow.

With the documents mentioned above, you need to have i matt-finished photo and your return ticket (with the fixed returned appointment) then you should go to our Moscow office. We will process a new leave visa for you.

Please note: The processing takes no less than 5 business concern days.

Can I extend my 1-year multiple entries Russian visa without leaving Russia?

No, yous cannot extend a multiple entry visa, you need to exit Russia and use for a new visa.

How much money can I take in and out of Russia?

Yous may "import" into the Russian federation up to $x,000 (or equivalent) and "export" upward to $iii,000 without declaring it at the customs. If yous consign a sum of coin over $3,000 and upwards to $10,000 from Russia it must be declared upon departure.

If you are exporting a sum of over $ten,000 from the state yous must provide documentary proof that you either imported it into the country or have legally obtained information technology whilst in the country.

If you consummate a declaration form to country that you are bringing in more than $iii,000 you must ensure that information technology is stamped by a Customs official at your port of entry or information technology volition not be valid. Declaration forms are freely bachelor at the ports of entry.

If y'all cash travellers cheques, or obtain money from a banking concern, brand certain you keep all documents as proof.

Please annotation: Travellers cheques may exist difficult to greenbacks and be charged at a premium, outside of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Sterling may besides be difficult to change and then nosotros recommend you accept either US dollars or Euros.

If you fail to complete a announcement form on inflow or to get it validated by Customs officials your foreign currency and non-declared items may be confiscated when you exit Russian federation and you may be fined.

How can I contact customer service?

Our client services team tin be reached on +44 (0) 207 100 and are available to provide assist all year round. With TravelSim, you lot can call this number for absolutely free for the first three minutes, ensuring help is at hand.

Please likewise visit our customer services folio, alternatively electronic mail our client services squad and they will be happy to help.

Practise I demand Travel Insurance for my Russian visa?

The Reciprocal Healthcare Understanding between the Uk and Russia terminated on 1st Jan 2016. Therefore, nosotros strongly recommend that travellers take out full insurance embrace for medical treatment and accidents as private medical treatment can be expensive and public health intendance is often non of European standards.

You can social club travel insurance for as little every bit £7 a trip that will comprehend you travelling in Russia and throughout the region.

The following nationals are required to provide proof of travel insurance with their Russian visa applications:

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Republic of croatia
Czechia
Cyprus
Demark
Republic of estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Republic of iceland
Republic of ireland
Italian republic
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Republic of malta
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The netherlands

When providing proof of travel insurance the document should be either in English or Russian and comprise:

Proper name(s) of the person(south) covered.
Period of coverage (has to include the travel dates).
Area of coverage (tin mention Russia or more often than not Europe or worldwide).

The Russian Consulate in London accepts the proof of policy in the following formats:

Document from the insurance visitor.
An emailed confirmation of the purchased insurance every bit long as it looks official (it is recommended to print the email together with sender's and recipient'due south email addresses).
Letter of the alphabet from the bank which needs to be stamped and signed by the bank office.
Company support letter stating, among other information, that for their forthcoming trip(south) to Russia, the applicant will exist covered past the company insurance. There is no demand to mention the insurance details in this case (period and area of coverage).
Delight note: This pick usually refers to business organisation applications, notwithstanding if the company covers their employees for their personal trips likewise, these applicants tin can provide a letter confirming the aforementioned.

A copy of the proof of insurance is sufficient, therefore please do non send the originals unless specifically requested and please don't transport the insurance policy booklet.

What are the Official Russian Public Holidays?

Russian Official Public holidays include:

1st and 2nd January — New year's Vacation
7th January — Russian Orthodox Christmas
23rd Feb — Defender of Motherland Day
eighth March — International Women's Day
1st and 2d May — Labour Twenty-four hour period
9th May — Victory Twenty-four hours (VE 24-hour interval)
twelfth June — Declaration of Sovereignty Day (founding of Russia)
4th November — Russian Unity Day
12th Dec — Constitution Day

Please note that virtually, if not all official offices, including the consulates in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland volition be closed on these days — and often, there is a "get slow" just before and just subsequently.

What are the planned closures of the Russian consulate in London?

The Russian consulate in London has appear the following list of closures for 2019. Please note that they are as well airtight on 25 December and either closed or work a half 24-hour interval only on 26 Dec and 31 December. The exact opening times on these days in 2019 are yet to exist confirmed:

1 - viii January – New year's Holiday and Orthodox Christmas
8 March – International Women's Twenty-four hours
1 - 3 May – Spring and Labour Solar day
9 - 10 May – Victory Day
12 June – Russia Twenty-four hours
4 November – Twenty-four hours of the National Unity

Every bit a issue, there will be no visa application and business invitation submissions or collections on this day, and this day will not count towards the processing fourth dimension. For any farther information, or if you take any questions, delight contact our visa squad.

Although the closure dates may be slightly different elsewhere, these are probable to apply to other Consulates worldwide as well as to the Russian authorities issuing the visa support documents. Remember, the public holidays are excluded from the processing time and often cause delays. Delight deport this in mind when ordering your visa or visa support documents.

Exercise I need to behave my passport with me at all times when in Russia?

Yes, visitors should carry their passports with a registered visa and migration bill of fare at all times as random document checks are carried out by local police. Failure to provide proper documentation tin lead to detention and fines. Maxim that you have your passport at the hotel will not work.

Y'all may want to consider making a photocopy of your passport page, Russian visa page and registration postage stamp and keeping this safe in the event of losing your originals.

If I am refused a visa or change my mind can I get my money back?

Yep, visitors should carry their passports with a registered visa and migration card at all times as random certificate checks are carried out by local constabulary. Failure to provide proper documentation tin can lead to detention and fines. Saying that you accept your passport at the hotel will not piece of work.

You may desire to consider making a photocopy of your passport page, Russian visa folio and registration stamp and keeping this safe in the upshot of losing your originals.

How can I pay for visas and services?

Click hither for information on how to pay for your travel and visa services.

Why you should utilise Existent Russian federation when applying for your Russian visa

Getting a Russian visa tin can be very time consuming and stressful if applying by yourself. While information technology is possible to do this yourself at the Russian Visa Application Centre in London, support will not be available to you. Hither we have listed some of the benefits of applying through us:

Expert advice.
Peace of mind.
Simplicity.
Convenience.

We are familiar with the visa awarding process and have a thorough agreement of the relevant requirements of the Consulate in London so we can maximise the chance of your visa awarding being accepted. In other words, we will do all we can to ensure that your visa awarding is successful.
Whilst we have no connexion with the Visa Awarding Centre/Consulate in other UK cities and countries, nosotros accept established a human relationship with the Visa Application Centre/Consulate in London and then we tin ameliorate assist you if you are applying for your visa with us.
We provide pre-awarding support, meaning that if you have any questions regarding your visa application or need assistance with completing your visa application class, we are but a message or phone call away.
We check all your documents thoroughly in our London part to ensure that your visa application is complete and correct before having your fingerprints taken at the Visa Application Centre. Information technology is also possible to have your fingerprints taken at our London office where we can check your documents at the same time.
We can help you with whatever corrections that need to be made if for whatsoever reason there is an effect with your visa application.
We pay for your visa application and also collect the passport from the Visa Application Eye/Consulate once your visa has been issued so y'all don't have to worry virtually it.
We check that your visa has been issued correctly and either hold the passport in our London office and then y'all or someone else can collect it, or nosotros can post it to your home, piece of work address or an address of your choice.