Invitation

An invitation is the most important document you need for getting a visa. This invitation is a special document issued by the party inviting you to come to Russia (visa support), which can be a hotel, travel company/agency, business partner, employer, university, Russian friend, or an organisation or company authorized by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs to issue invitations. For every type of visa there is a different type of invitation.

The processing of a tourist invitation can take from 1 hour to 1 working day, an invitation for a student visa 14-21 working days, and an invitation for a business (multiple-entry) visa at least 21-25 working days.

NOTE: Some Russian consulates only deal with original invitations, and do not accept copies or faxes. Contact your local Russian consulate to find out.

Our sponsors have great experience in providing Russia visa support; you can order online visa invitations (a tourist invitation takes only 5 minutes), and they can send original invitations to you by post or fax – the last is quite convenient if your Russian consulate accepts them.


Medical insurance

It is wise to have medical insurance if you come to Russia. Actually at some consulates, they won't grant you a visa unless you have medical insurance. It's also a good idea because you will be assured of getting good, Western-standard treatment should you happen to have the bad luck of tumbling downstairs or if a car hits you. (Russians, unfortunately, do not have the best traffic manners).

Most Russian consulates require proof of valid travel health insurance, otherwise they will not give you a visa. Be sure to check that your travel health insurance policy covers Russia and is acceptable to the Russian consulate. The website of Ruth E. Imershein, a American expat who has been travelling to Russia for a long time, publishes a list of Russian consulates that accept insurance only from certain companies. She even writes: "Insurance that comes from buying your tickets on a credit card is NOT sufficient. Also it is not enough to simply check the box, yes. In many cases the consular staff will demand to see the particular policy. If you are going to the consulate, be sure to bring the original policy. If you are mailing your application, be sure to send a copy of the policy not just the face sheet." The foreign staff of Russia's In Your Pocket have had the same experience.

HIV/AIDS Test

If you are going to stay more than 3 months in Russia, you need a HIV test certificate from you doctor or hospital to prove you are negative for HIV. If you are HIV positive or you have AIDS, you will not get a visa.NOTE that in Western countries it can take a couple of days, or even weeks, to receive the results of the HIV test. Be especially aware of this if you are in a hurry to get a one-year business or multiple-entry visa. You may also have to repeat this test once in Russia for your inviting party to convert your single-entry visa into a multi-entry one.

Migration card

Foreigners are obliged to fill in the migration card, which will be given to them when they enter Russia. Most aeroplane passengers will receive it from the crew. If your airline does not distribute the cards, don’t worry – they can be found in the airport before the passport control booths.

The migration card is not complicated; it's just another piece of paper to fill in – you have to give the same information as you have already given when obtaining your visa.

It is important to fill in the name of the inviting company (written in Russian on your visa) and the address of the inviting company if you have it. Make sure you register your migration card and your visa within 72 hours of arriving (excluding weekends and Russian holidays). The migration card should be handed over to immigration officials on the border when leaving the country.

And finally...

Registration
This is the paper that shows you arrived in Russia, have a place to stay and will be staying for a certain amount of time. All foreigners must be registered withing 72 hours of arriving in Russia. There are many ways to get a registration.