Tourist Visa: Tourist visas are issued to US citizens, foreign nationals, and stateless persons whose purpose of travel involves cultural events, excursions, sightseeing, and/or general tourism. It is issued on the basis of an agreement between a tour operator or a hosting hotel and the tourist that confirms they have been invited by a registered Russian organization. A tourist visa may also be issued for conducting short-term business exchange, participating in exhibitions, auctions, and also in the case of medical consultation or examination. In this case, the invitation should indicate the purpose of travel as “Tourism” in the necessary field, and the visa is issued for the time period that corresponds with the Voucher (no more than 30 days). Regular tourist visas are either Single or Double entry, for a period of no more than 30 days. But in accordance with the simplified visa formalities agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States, US citizens are now able to obtain either a 3-year Multi-Entry Tourist visa upon request, which exceed the 30-day stay limit. Double-entry tourist visas are only issued when the second country is of the ‘near-abroad’ (CIS states, Baltics) or those that require return transit through Russian territory, such as China and Mongolia, etc. In order to obtain a double-entry visa, the arrival city to be visited in the second country must be written in the travel itinerary and in the confirmation issued by the tour operator, but does not have to be provided in the travel voucher which lists tourist services provided by the tourist agency or hotel.

The maximum length of stay while traveling on a Single or Double entry tourist visa is 30 days. Whereas, the maximum length of stay while traveling on a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa is no more than 6 months from the date of entry or a new re-entry into the Russian Federation. This visa is good for 36 months, or 3 Years from the visa start date. (Please see a template for 3-year tourist visa below).

Business Visas: are issued to US citizens, foreign nationals, and stateless persons traveling to the Russian Federation with business intent such as meetings, seminars, conferences, or meeting business clients. A Business visa is issued on the basis of the applicant having received an Original Official invitation issued by the Federal Migration Service or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Russian Federation that is made by the inviting Russian company. These visas may be issued for a Single or Double entry period up to 90 days, or a Multi-Entry for up to 1 year (with exceptions to countries covered by bi-lateral agreements). In accordance with the Simplification of Visa Formalities for nationals of the Russian Federation and the United States, US citizens may apply for a 3-year multi-entry Business visa.

Be Aware! A Multi-Entry 1 Year Business visa is only good for a length of stay no longer than 90 days out of every 180. Also, Multi-Entry 3 Year Business visas for US citizens are valid for only a 6-month stay per entry.

Humanitarian visas: are issued to US citizens, foreign nationals, and stateless visas traveling to the Russian Federation with the intent of cultural or political exchange, sports events, scientific or technical purposes, religious purposes or missionary programs, charity events and organizations, or humanitarian relief. A Humanitarian visa is issued on the basis of the applicant having received an Original Official invitation issued by the Federal Migration Service (FMS) of the Russian Federation that has been applied for by the inviting organization. These visas may be issued for a Single or Double-entry period up to 90 days, or a Multi-Entry for up to 3 years. In accordance with the Simplification of Visa Formalities for nationals of the Russian Federation and the United States, US citizens may apply for a 1 or 3-year multi-entry Humanitarian visa.

Be Aware! A Multi-Entry 1 Year Humanitarian visa is only good for a length of stay no longer than 90 days out of every 180. Also, Multi-Entry 3 Year Humanitarian visas for US citizens are valid for only a 6-month stay per entry, from said date.

Common Private Visa: Are issued to US citizens, foreign nationals, and stateless persons traveling to the Russian Federation who have received an invitation from an official representative, or either a Russian citizen or a foreign national that has been registered as a permanent resident in the Russian Federation. These visas may be issued for a Single or Double-entry period up to 90 days, or a 3-year Multi-Entry visa in accordance with the Simplification of Visa Formalities between the Russian Federation and the United States. In accordance with the Simplification of Visa Formalities for nationals of the Russian Federation and the United States, US citizens may apply for a 3-year multi-entry Private visa. In order to obtain a 3 Year Private Visa an invitation must be issued by a Russian citizen that is registered in Russia, or by a US citizen that has residency status in Russia for a period longer than 90 days. Acceptable status may be a work permit, a multi-entry student visa, or diplomatic or official staff working in the US Consulate in the territory of the Russian Federation. Also, Multi-Entry 3 Year Private visas for US citizens allows for a length of stay no longer than 6 months per entry, within the visa period.
Work Visa: are issued to foreign nationals traveling to the Russian Federation with the intent to perform paid work, which is taxable. The inviting organization must obtain an Original Official Invitation issued by the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation that is made by the inviting Russian company. Work visas may be granted an extension based on the contract length entered between the Employer and Employee by contacting a local Federal Migration Service office. Extensions must be in compliance with the laws of the Russian Federation.

Work visas are single entry with a maximum duration of 90 days, or 1 or 3 year Multiple-Entry.

Student Visa: are issued to US citizens, foreign nationals, and stateless persons traveling to the Russian Federation with the intent to study at an institution, and are issued based on an Original Official invitation issued by either the Federal Migration Service (FMS) or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation upon request from the inviting institution.

Student visas are either Single or Double entry, and are only good for a length of stay no longer than 90 days.

Student visas may be granted an extension by contacting the local Federal Migration Service office. An extension requires that the applicant register at the migration office in order to be issued a multi-entry visa for the remainder of their study, up to 1 year, as permissible by Russian education laws.