Tourist visa to Russia: cost, documents, processing

In 2024-2025, the rules for obtaining a tourist visa to Russia underwent some changes due to updates in migration legislation and international agreements. In this guide, we will tell you how to apply for a visa, what documents will be required, how much the visa fee costs, and what innovations should be taken into account.

Basic information about the tourist visa to Russia:

• Reasons for obtaining: car tourism, targeted tourism, hunting tourism, recreation
• Number of entries: single, double, multiple visa
• Visa cost: from 99 €
• Execution period: from 5 working days (accelerated) to 15 working days

Russia issues several categories of visas, but the relevant ones for tourists are:

• Single-entry visa – allows one entry for a period of up to 30 days.
• Double-entry visa – allows entry twice during the validity period (usually up to 30 days each visit).
• Multiple-entry visa (multi-visa) – grants the right to multiple entries over 1–3 years (maximum stay – 90 days for every 180 days).

From 2024, for some countries (such as India, China, Iran) simplified conditions or visa-free travel (for short trips) apply.

Step 1: Invitation (visa support)

To apply for a visa to Russia, you need an invitation from a tourist company, hotel or private person (with a rental agreement). From 2024, we issue electronic invitations (e-Visa support) — it is fast, convenient and significantly speeds up the visa obtaining process. You can order an invitation on the website Buch-dein-visum.de.

Step 2: Filling out the application form

The application form is filled out online. It is necessary to indicate:

• Purpose of the trip (tourism)
• Dates of the visit
• Places to visit (Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc.)
• Passport details
• Contact details
• Data required for the requested type of visa

Do not risk getting a refusal due to an error in the application form, as the consular fee is not refundable in case of refusal. Trust the filling of the application form to our experienced managers. We will do everything correctly and quickly, and you will save time and nerves!

Step 3: Collecting documents

• Foreign passport (validity period – at least 6 months after the end of the visa)
• Photo 3.5×4.5 cm (on a light background)
• Medical insurance (minimum coverage – €30,000)
• Confirmation of hotel reservation or itinerary
• Bank account statement (to confirm financial solvency)

Step 4: Submission and payment of the visa fee

The application is submitted at:

• The Russian Consulate/Embassy independently in the order of the queue
• An accredited visa center (for example, Buch-dein-visum.de), without a queue, without leaving home.

Visa cost in 2025:

• Single entry – from 99€ (depends on the country and speed of processing)
• Urgent processing (5 days) – 149€

Find out the current visa cost, according to your requirements, on the page “Cost”.

From 2024, Russia has simplified the entry procedure for foreign tourists by expanding the list of countries whose citizens can obtain an electronic visa. Now it is possible for residents of most EU countries, as well as citizens of the UAE, Mexico, India, China, and other states to get an e-Visa for up to 16 days. This is a convenient way to visit Russia without the need to visit a consulate or collect a large number of documents.

The electronic visa process takes just a few days and is done online. Tourists only need to fill out a form, upload a photo, and a copy of their foreign passport. You can learn more about the submission process, requirements, processing times, and costs in the section “Electronic visa to Russia”.

Terms and restrictions for special visa-free permits

If you are traveling by ferry or cruise ship, and the ship is headed to Russia, you can disembark at some ports of call for a maximum of 72 hours without a visa. However, this rule does not apply to people traveling alone, but only to those traveling on a ship as part of a group tour. You do not need an invitation or voucher. However, you are required to spend the night on the ship and stay with your tourist group. Typically, the shipping company or tour operator will take care of your residence permit, and you will receive it on board. Before the trip, find out what services are included in the price.

If you prefer to explore Russian cities on your own during the cruise, rather than as part of a tour group, you have the opportunity to order a tourist visa with an invitation from us.

To obtain a tourist visa to Russia, it is necessary to issue an official invitation (also called "visa support"). It can be issued by accredited Russian hotels, travel agencies or private individuals through the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. If you book accommodation, the fact of booking does not replace the invitation – an additional document from the host party will be required. An electronic version is usually sufficient, but some consulates may request the original.

There are two types of invitations: tourist (issued through a tour operator) and private (for guest visas). In the first case, the document contains information about the route, duration of the trip and confirmation of accommodation. In the second case, the inviting party must register it with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and send you an invitation letter. It is important that the invitation matches the dates, full name, and passport data, otherwise a visa may be denied.

The visa agency Buch-dein-visum.de provides the opportunity to apply for a visa immediately with an invitation. You can find out the current cost of the service on the page"Cost"  and contact our manager!

To obtain a visa, a whole range of documents is required. Documents vary depending on the type of visa. Different documents are required for a tourist visa than for a work visa. To ensure you are well-prepared, we have summarized all the necessary documents in the list below.

• Visa application
• Passport:
  • original
  • valid for at least 3 months
  • two blank spreads
  • for children, the photo in the passport should not be older than 6 months (!)
  • additionally for children: a copy of the birth certificate and copies of parents' passports
• Photograph:
  • color photo
  • biometric
  • not older than 2 years
  • size 3.5 × 4.5 cm
• Insurance for trips abroad (copy)
• Readiness to return (return ticket)
• Invitation (copy)
• Disability certificate (if applicable)
  • copy
  • from 60% disability