Russian Visa

With a Russian Visa, you can stay in the country for a specified duration. The visa carries details like your dates of entry/exit, the purpose of travel, your name, and your passport details. Please note, that your Russian visa is a permit for both entering and exiting the country. If in case you lose your visa or stay longer than you are permitted to, leaving Russia shall be far more difficult than arriving there.

You can’t have two Russian visas simultaneously in your passport. The first visa shall be made null and void by the consulate so that the new one can be authorized.

The Russian Tourist Visa

The tourist visa allows you to visit Russia as a tourist. These visas are valid only for 30 days and they can’t be extended under any circumstances. A tourist visa is your best option when there’s no chance of you diverting from your itinerary. To be eligible for a tourist visa, you must furnish proof of confirmed accommodation for the duration of your stay in Russia.

Important Information for Citizens of Russia and the Former USSR Who Would Live in the Russian Federation Territory and Immigrate After the 6^th of February 1992

Part 6 of the Federal Law, “Regulation of exit from the Russian Federation and entrance to the Russian Federation” dated 15 August 1996 reference number 114-FL stipulates that citizens from the Russian Federation who lived outside its territory should prove their citizenship with valid relevant documents. This also applies to Russian Federation citizens who hold citizenship/s of other countries as well. It implies that to enter Russian territory, they can use their Russian passports only. To renew their passports, all Russian citizens are requested to contact the Russian Embassy’s Consular department in the UAE.

There have been certain changes to the Federal Law governing the entry and exit from Russian Federation from August 15, 1996, vide No. 114-FL. These changes came into effect on March 12, 2010, and they stipulated that citizens of the Russian Federation staying in the UAE lawfully can apply for visas for their family members who have foreign nationalities. The visas thus issued shall enable them to enter the Russian Federation with the Russian Federation citizen who signed on the request form for the visa. The applications need to be submitted only in person at the Russian Visa Application Centre. Post application, a single or double entry visa will be issued valid for up to 3 months. The minimum time needed to process these applications is 5 working days.

Requirements for Tourist Visas

• Original passport valid for at least 6 months duly signed by its bearer
• A passport-size photo with a white background

Validity of the Visa: Up to 30 days

Please note that tourist visas may be single/double entry. The normal processing time of a Russian tourist visa is 5-7 working days.

Requirements for Business Visas

• Passport copy for the purpose of invitation
• Residence copy for the same purpose
• Original passport valid for at least 6 months duly signed by its bearer
• A passport size photo with a white background

Visa Type and Its Validity

• Single Entry Business Visa- 30/90 days
• Double Entry Business Visa- 90 days
• Multiple Entry Business Visa- 1 year

Business Visa Processing Time

• 2 weeks for single/double entry visa for the invitation process
• 4-5 weeks for multiple entry visa for the invitation process

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Is changing currency possible at any of the Russian banks?

You can certainly change any currency at any Russian bank like Euro, US Dollar, or any other foreign currency without any hassles.

• Is it possible to send money to Russia from the UAE?

Yes, it is. Only 7 banks have been excluded from the SWIFT system due to sanctions. The rest remain unaffected.

• How early can I apply for the visa?

You may apply as early as 6 months before the traveling date.

• How long does it take for a Russia Business Invitation Letter and a Russia Tourist Invitation Letter to come through?

It takes 1-3 weeks for a Business Invitation Letter to come through depending on your nationality. A Tourist Invitation Letter needs only 10 minutes to get processed.