Russia
Russia visa guide
- 9 visa types
- checked 29 October 2026
How visas for Russia work
Unless your nationality is visa-exempt, you need a visa to enter Russia. For short trips the quickest option is the unified e-visa: a single-entry visa issued online by the Russian Foreign Ministry to nationals of the 64 countries on an official list, valid for 120 days with a stay of up to 30 days, for private or business visits, tourism and events. For longer stays or other purposes you apply for a regular visa at a Russian consular post.
Regular visas are defined in the Federal Law on Exit from and Entry into the Russian Federation: private, business, tourist, study, work and humanitarian visas, transit visas and visas for those coming to take up temporary residence or asylum. Most need an invitation issued by the migration authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the request of a Russian host, or, for tourists, a confirmation from a registered tour operator or listed hotel.
Regular visas are applied for at the Russian embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence, which publishes on its website how to book an appointment and where to hand in the file; you first complete the Foreign Ministry's electronic visa application form. After arrival, every foreigner must be registered at the place of stay within seven working days.
Which visa do I need?
Up to 30 days for tourism, visiting friends, business meetings or events: e-visa. Longer tourist trips: tourist visa (up to six months). Visiting relatives or friends on a private invitation: private visa. Regular business trips: business visa, single or multiple entry.
Studying at a Russian university: study visa. Taking a job: work visa with a work permit, or the highly qualified specialist route if your salary is at least RUB 750,000 per quarter. Moving to Russia: temporary residence permit (RVP) and later a residence permit (VNZh). Passing through: transit visa.
Visa types for Russia
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Ordinary tourist visa
The ordinary tourist visa is issued for up to six months on the basis of a confirmation of reception from an organisation listed in Russia's unified federal register of tour operators, or for citizens of listed countries a booking at a classified hotel.
Maximum stay: Up to six months - Family and friends visit visa Ordinary private visa (guest visit)
The ordinary private visa is for guest visits to people in Russia.
Maximum stay: Up to three months (one year by reciprocity; one year for close relatives of Russian citizens) - Transit visa
A Russian transit visa is issued for up to ten days to foreigners travelling through Russian territory to another country.
Maximum stay: Up to ten days
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Ordinary business visa
The ordinary business visa is for business trips to Russia and is issued for up to one year, or up to five years on the basis of reciprocity, normally on an invitation issued by the migration authorities at the request of a Russian company.
Maximum stay: Within the visa validity of up to one year
Study and training
- Student visa Ordinary study visa
The ordinary study visa is issued for up to one year to foreigners coming to study at a Russian educational or scientific organisation, on an invitation arranged by the institution.
Maximum stay: Visa for up to one year, extended in Russia for the duration of studies
Work
- Work visa Ordinary work visa and work permit (including highly qualified specialists)
Foreigners who need a visa work in Russia with a work permit obtained by the employer and an ordinary work visa issued for the term of the contract, up to one year.
Maximum stay: Term of the contract, up to one year (HQS: up to three years, extendable)
Residence
- Residence permit Temporary residence permit (RVP)
The temporary residence permit (razreshenie na vremennoe prozhivanie, RVP) is valid for three years and is issued within annual regional quotas set by the government.
Maximum stay: Three years - Permanent residence Residence permit (vid na zhitelstvo, VNZh)
The residence permit (VNZh) is Russia's permanent residence document for foreigners and is issued without time limit in most cases.
Maximum stay: Issued without time limit (10 years for stateless persons)
Online travel permits
- e-Visa Unified electronic visa (e-visa)
The unified e-visa is a single-entry Russian visa issued online by the Foreign Ministry to citizens of the 64 listed countries.
Maximum stay: Up to 30 days from entry (arrival and departure days count as two days)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Russia?
As a rule, yes, unless your nationality is visa-exempt. Nationals of the 64 countries on the official e-visa list can replace the consular visa with the unified e-visa for stays of up to 30 days. Other nationalities should check with the Russian mission responsible for their country.
Who can get a Russian e-visa?
Citizens of the 64 countries on the official list, which includes Türkiye, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Monaco. It allows one entry and a stay of up to 30 days within 120 days of issue.
Where do I apply for a regular Russian visa?
At the Russian embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence, which explains on its website how to book an appointment and hand in the file. The decision to issue or refuse the visa always rests with the Russian consular post.
Do I need an invitation?
For most regular visas yes: a private, business, study or work invitation issued by the migration authorities at your host's request. Tourist visas need a confirmation from a registered tour operator or listed hotel; e-visas need no invitation.
What is migration registration?
Your host must notify the migration authorities of your arrival within seven working days of reaching your place of stay; hotels do this automatically.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 29 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.