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Russia: Visa Options, Including New "Casual Business" (AIM Tourist) Visa

A helpful video describing the different visa options for Russia, including the new "Casual Business" (AIM Tourist) visa that can be obtained more quickly than the traditional Business Visa to Russia.

1.1  Tourist Voucher

Every Russia visa requires an official invitation from Russia. The following are the basic types of invitations the Embassy/Consulate will accept.


1) Tourist Voucher – Vouchers are usually provided by hotels or tour groups. These can be used to obtain single, double, or multiple entry visas. They are also valid for AIM Tourism visas (single entry only) which can be used to cover casual business travel*.

2) Three Year, Multiple Entry Business Invite – This invitation is presented in a letter style from the inviting company in Russia, and is valid ONLY for obtaining three year, multiple-entry business visas.**

3) Telex – A Telex is an electronic invitation and can be used to apply for single, double, or multiple-entry visas for both tourism and business. Telexes are addressed to specific government missions (Embassy or Consulates). If using a Telex, ItsEasy requires that you provide the Telex confirmation details with your application documents. Failure to do so may result in a delay in visa processing.

4) Original Business Invitation – This form of invitation is an official certificate, and is issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other government ministries. These are not used frequently, and the original certificate must be provided with the application. No copies accepted.



If you need help in arranging Russian visa support, ItsEasy can help acquire the invitation for you from our Russian visa support affiliate. To order your Russian visa invitation now, please click the below link


*Casual business travel includes business meetings only.
**Rules vary for non-US citizens. Call for details.

1.2  Passport

Applicant must submit their current, signed passport. Visas are stamped into a passport, therefore the original passport is required.

Note: In order to obtain Russia visas, passport must have two (2) blank facing visa pages (typically the last few pages of the passport are marked "Amendment" and are not valid for visas) and must be valid for at least six months past the date of entry into Russia.

1.3  Photo Requirement

Applicant must submit two (2) identical, color, passport style photographs. The photos must be recent and generally should not be the same used for the passport itself.

1.4  Applicants Under 18yrs

Although applicant may be submitting documents along with other family members, when submitted to an embassy or consulate, applications are treated individually. If applicant is under 18 years old, please view the following link.

1.5  Former USSR or Russian Nationals

If applicant was born in USSR or Russia, applicant MUST submit one or more of the following documents:

• Copy of USSR passport with a stamp stating you left for “permanent residence abroad”, dated prior to February 6, 1992;

• Or a copy of a “Visa to Israel” issued prior to February 6, 1992;

• Or a copy of a Certificate of Naturalization issued prior to 1996;

• Or a document confirming the renunciation of your Russian citizenship;

• Or a copy of the main pages of a passport of a former USSR state, issued after February 1992;

• Or a written statement of explanation, in the case that you have no documentation.

In accordance with Russian law, visas cannot be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. In accordance to Article 12 of Russian Law “On citizenship of the Russian Federation”, children born to two parents who are Russian citizens, automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In this case visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents, or obtain a Russian passport. If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.

If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.

The embassy may request additional documents and a personal interview at their discretion.

1.6  Notice Regarding Previous Valid Visa

If you have a currently valid Russia visa in an expired or cancelled passport, the Embassy of Russia requires that you provide proof that the passport it is in has been officially cancelled. You must provide a copy of both the visa, and the front cover of the passport showing holes punched by the US State Dept which signifies the passport has been officially cancelled.

Failure to provide the required copies may create delays in processing a new visa to Russia.

1.7  Visa Application Guide

The visa application must be completed using an online wizard provided by the Russian government. This policy was implemented and mandatory as of July 1, 2011. Once completed, print and sign application.

We provide an Application Guide below. It is very important that the instructions are followed. Failure to follow the instructions exactly may result in rejection of application. It is recommend applicant print guide to use while completing application.

1.8  Visa Application

After reviewing the Application Guide above, click below to complete the visa application.

**IMPORTANT**Please note: Applicants MUST provide their application password with their application.
Applications submitted without the security password described in the Application Guide can not be processed.

NOTE: Questions 14, 26, and 27 of the Russia visa application MUST be completed in full. If any of these questions are left blank or not answered completely it will create delays in processing your visa.


Note: Applicants applying for multiple entry visas must submit two original, signed applications. All others submit only one.