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  1. Fast.  CIBT specializes in securing Russia visas and can help you secure a Russia visa.
  2. Easy.  CIBT is the easiest way to get a visa.  We process Russia visas at the Russia Embassy every day for residents of all 50 states.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russia Visa FAQs

When is the best time to apply for my Russia visa?
The best time to apply for your Russia visa is 1-2 months before your travel date.

Do I have to send you my passport to get a Russia visa? Is it safe to send a passport?
Yes. You will need to send your actual passport, not a copy of it. The Russia visa is stamped on your passport and will become one of your passport pages. Visa request cannot be processed without your original passport. Because of the importance of your passport, we strongly suggest that you send your application in a secure way, using a traceable courier such as FedEx, UPS, Express Mail or Certified Mail.

What other local cities does CIBT provide Russia visas?
CIBT provide Russia visas in 50 states.  See the list of cities where you can get a Russia visa.

Business Important Information
Invitation for Multi Entry Visa
All multiple entry visa requests must be accompanied with an original invitation or Telex. Copies are not accepted.
Passport Validation
All applicants, without any exceptions, must validate their passport by their signature. The Embassy of Russia in Washington DC will not issue visa to an unsigned passport. If you have requested a new or second passport and a Russian visa in the same order, your new passport must be returned to you for signature before it can be submitted to the consulate for the visa process; additional shipping costs are applicable.
Restricted Submission
The Consulate of Russia in San Francisco will not accept any applications submitted more than 45 days prior to the date of entry to Russia. This is effective regardless of the departure date of the trip.
Restricted Submission
The Consulate of Russia in Houston will not accept any applications to be submitted more than 30 days prior to the date of entry to Russia. This is effective regardless of the departure date of the trip.
Russian Application Instructions
For San Francisco visa issuing office, select ILS San Francisco in the drop down menu
Russian Application Instruction
For Houston visa issuing office, select ILS Houston from the drop down menu
Russian Application Instruction
For Washington DC visa issuing office, select ILS Washington DC from the drop down menu
Russia Application Instruction
For New York visa issuing office, select ILS New York from the drop down menu
Consular Delays & Submission Restrictions
Currently the consulate is working with a high volume of visa requests; please be advised of possible processing delays until further notice. Additionally, the Consulate will only accept visa applications for travel dates in June and July please hold off on sending your application if your travel dates are beyond July. 

Sample of the Business Travel Requirements for a Russia Visa for US Citizens

  1. Passport

    You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:

    • Have at least one blank visa page
    • Be valid for six months beyond the validity of your requested visa

    If your passport does not meet the above requirements, please contact CIBT at for further details.

  2. Photographs

    You must provide two color, passport-type photographs that meet the requirements outlined by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Your photographs must:

    • Be printed on photo paper
    • Have a white background
    • Be 35mm by 45mm
    • Have been taken within the last six months
    • Show the full frontal view of your head, including the tops of your shoulders
    • Have your face centered in the middle of the photo with your face square to the camera
    • Display your face with a neutral expression and your mouth closed (no smiling)
    • Not display sunglasses

  3. Business Introduction Letter

    A letter of introduction from your US-based company is required. Your completed introduction letter must:

    • Be printed on your company’s official letterhead
    • Display an original signature
    • Specify the number of entries requested
    • Include the dates and length of your stay
    • Include the validity of your requested visa

  4. Russia Business Invitation Letter

    You must obtain an official Russian Business Invitation Letter to travel to Russia.  The organization you are visiting in Russia is responsible for obtaining the invitation from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The letter must:

    • Include the dates and length of your stay
    • Include the full local address of the organization you will be visiting
    • Specify the number of entries and duration of validity that you are requesting in your visa application

    CIBT can obtain a Russian Invitation Letter on your behalf.  Simply complete and return the enclosed Russian Business Invitation order form.

  5. Photocopy of All Application Materials

    You must provide photocopies of all items that you submit to CIBT, including a copy of the information page of your passport. If you prefer that CIBT make photocopies for you, additional fees will be applied to your order.

  6. Visa Application Form

    The Russian Consulate has instituted a web-based visa application form. The application must be completed online by all travelers, and can be found at http://evisa.kdmid.ru/. This application, hosted by the Russian government, may take up to an hour to complete and requires very detailed information. For Washington DC visa issuing office, select ILS Washington DC in the drop down box. Please read the CIBT Russian Visa Application Guide included in this kit before you begin the online Russia visa application form. Your visa request cannot be processed if you do not complete the application form online. Your completed application must:

    • Provide answers for all fields (handwritten changes are not accepted)
    • Include your name as it appears in your passport
    • Include the institution or organization in Russia to be visited
    • Be signed inside the box found directly below the section where we will attach your photograph

  7. CIBT Order Form

    You must provide one completed CIBT Order Form. The form must:

    • Include a valid email address and payment information
    • Include your signature in blue or black ink

  8. Former Russian Nationals Only

    You must provide a cover letter stating the date that you renounced your Russian citizenship. The consulate will not issue a visa to former Russian nationals who do not supply this cover letter.

  9. Minors Traveling to Russia

    Any minor traveling to Russia must have a letter of consent signed by both of the child’s parents or legal guardians. If the minor is traveling with a parent or guardian who is not applying for a visa at the same time, a copy of the parent or guardian’s Russian visa or certificate of Russian citizenship must be submitted along with the minor’s application.

  10. Activities in Russia

    If you will not be staying in a hotel, or are engaging in activities other than business, additional documentation will be required. For more details, please contact CIBT for more information.

  11. Former Soviet and Ukrainian Citizens

    If you were born in a state of the former Soviet Republic or Ukraine, you must supply a copy of your Soviet or Ukrainian passport along with a letter stating when you immigrated to the US.

Tourist Important Information
Passport Validation
All applicants, without any exceptions, must validate their passport by their signature. The Embassy of Russia in Washington DC will not issue visa to an unsigned passport. If you have requested a new or second passport and a Russian visa in the same order, your new passport must be returned to you for signature before it can be submitted to the consulate for the visa process; additional shipping costs are applicable.
Restricted Submission
The Consulate of Russia in San Francisco will not accept any applications submitted more than 45 days prior to the date of entry to Russia. This is effective regardless of the departure date of the trip.
Restricted Submission
The Consulate of Russia in Houston will not accept any applications to be submitted more than 30 days prior to the date of entry to Russia. This is effective regardless of the departure date of the trip.
Russian Application Instructions
For San Francisco visa issuing office, select ILS San Francisco in the drop down menu
Russian Application Instruction
For Houston visa issuing office, select ILS Houston from the drop down menu
Russian Application Instruction
For Washington DC visa issuing office, select ILS Washington DC from the drop down menu
Russia Application Instruction
For New York visa issuing office, select ILS New York from the drop down menu
Consular Delays & Submission Restrictions
Currently the consulate is working with a high volume of visa requests; please be advised of possible processing delays until further notice. Additionally, the Consulate will only accept visa applications for travel dates in June and July please hold off on sending your application if your travel dates are beyond July. 

Sample of the Tourist Travel Requirements for a Russia Visa for US Citizens

  1. Passport

    You must provide your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:

    • Have at least one blank visa page
    • Be valid for six months beyond the validity of your requested visa

    If your passport does not meet the above requirements, please contact CIBT at for further details.

  2. Photographs

    You must provide two color, passport-type photographs that meet the requirements outlined by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Your photographs must:

    • Be printed on photo paper
    • Have a white background
    • Be 35mm by 45mm
    • Have been taken within the last six months
    • Show the full frontal view of your head, including the tops of your shoulders
    • Have your face centered in the middle of the photo with your face square to the camera
    • Display your face with a neutral expression and your mouth closed (no smiling)
    • Not display sunglasses

  3. Russian Tourist Visa Support Letter

    You must obtain an official Russian Tourist Invitation Letter to travel to Russia.  The organization you are visiting in Russia is responsible for obtaining the invitation from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The letter must:

    • Include the dates and length of your stay
    • Include the full local address of the organization you will be visiting
    • Specify the number of entries and duration of validity that you are requesting in your visa application

    CIBT can obtain a Russian Invitation Letter on your behalf.  Simply complete and return the enclosed Russian Invitation order form.

  4. Photocopy of All Application Materials

    You must provide photocopies of all items that you submit to CIBT, including a copy of the information page of your passport. If you prefer that CIBT make photocopies for you, additional fees will be applied to your order.

  5. Visa Application Form

    The Russian Consulate has instituted a web-based visa application form. The application must be completed online by all travelers, and can be found at http://evisa.kdmid.ru/. This application, hosted by the Russian government, may take up to an hour to complete and requires very detailed information. For Washington DC visa issuing office, select ILS Washington DC in the drop down box. Please read the CIBT Russian Visa Application Guide included in this kit before you begin the online Russia visa application form. Your visa request cannot be processed if you do not complete the application form online. Your completed application must:

    • Provide answers for all fields (handwritten changes are not accepted)
    • Include your name as it appears in your passport
    • Include the institution or organization in Russia to be visited
    • Be signed inside the box found directly below the section where we will attach your photograph

  6. CIBT Order Form

    You must provide one completed CIBT Order Form. The form must:

    • Include a valid email address and payment information
    • Include your signature in blue or black ink

  7. Former Russian Nationals Only

    You must provide a cover letter stating the date that you renounced your Russian citizenship. The consulate will not issue a visa to former Russian nationals who do not supply this cover letter.

  8. Minors Traveling to Russia

    Any minor traveling to Russia must have a letter of consent signed by both of the child’s parents or legal guardians. If the minor is traveling with a parent or guardian who is not applying for a visa at the same time, a copy of the parent or guardian’s Russian visa or certificate of Russian citizenship must be submitted along with the minor’s application.

  9. Activities in Russia

    If you will not be staying in a hotel, or are engaging in activities other than business, additional documentation will be required. For more details, please contact CIBT for more information.

  10. Former Soviet and Ukrainian Citizens

    If you were born in a state of the former Soviet Republic or Ukraine, you must supply a copy of your Soviet or Ukrainian passport along with a letter stating when you immigrated to the US.