Visas & Customs Requirements

Employment:

These visas are the most popular ones among business people. These visas can be obtained for a longer terms that tourist ones and the Consulate processing period is usually shorter. Officially business visas are intended for foreign citizens who travel to Russia to meet their business partners, take part in negotiations, sign a contract, visit an exhibition, etc. You do not need to prepare hotel reservation or an itinerary to get a business visa. These visas do not imply official employment in Russia (for this purpose a work visa should be obtained).

The following documents should be submitted to the Consulate:

• Passport Requirements: Original, signed passport valid for 6 months beyond stay, with at least one blank visa page available for visa stamp(s). Amendment pages in the back of the passport are not suitable for visa stamps.


• Visa Application Form: Two visa application forms per applicant properly completed and signed. Signature must be original on each application. Improperly completed forms may delay the processing of your visa. Houston jurisdiction: Houston applications must be completed in black ink or typed, in all CAPITAL letters and printed on one page (back-to-back). When printing, select "no page scaling" and uncheck "center and rotate" on the print options.


• Photo Requirements: One recent 1 3/8 x 1 3/4 inch passport style photograph - head and shoulders, face forward, neutral expression, in color, and with a plain/light background.


• Official Invitation: Original letter of invitation from the Russian Ministry of the Interior.


• Proof Of Departure: To support rush requests submitted in New York, a computer generated flight itinerary from the airline or travel agency or copy of airline tickets is required. All emergency requests must be submitted with an itinerary or copy of tickets.


• Medical Requirements: Copy of negative HIV test result, taken within previous 90 days.

Visas are issued for single, double or multiple entries. The validity and the number of entries are issued according to the dates and number of entries specified on the official invitation, at the discretion of the consulate.