Getting a Russian Visa
Travelers seeking a Russian visa need an invitation from a Russian citizen or a company, which is subsequently taken to a Russian embassy or consulate, where the visa is issued. The visa must be registered by the person/organization that issued the invitation within three business days of arrival in Russia.
Visa Service
Most travelers elect to hire a visa service rather than arrange their own Russian visa. Ranging from a regular two-week processing, which is the cheapest option, to the more expensive same-day processing, these services have a variety of options for visa processing.
Russian Consulate
Travelers living in a city with a Russian consulate can save money by applying for a Russian visa on their own, although Russianvisa.org cautions that paperwork is usually only accepted here early in the morning.
Visa-Expediting Agency
An experienced visa-expediting agency offers full processing, which includes the invitation (which can cost $300 and above), taking the visa to a consulate and sending it back to the traveler, for an extra $30-$70, according to Russianvisa.org. The best among these agencies will also handle registering the visa upon arrival in Russia.
Common Types of Russian Visas
There are several types of Russian visas: tourist visas, issued for a period of up to 30 days and usually are only eligible for one visit; business visas, intended for foreign citizens traveling to Russia for business purposes (doesn't imply official Russian employment); private visas, intended for foreigners with a private invitation who have relatives or friends in Russia; transit visas, or those traveling to a third country via Russia; and visas for members of family.
Entry Requirements
According to Russianvisa.org, the mandatory requirements entering Russia are: a passport valid for six months beyond the intended stay in Russia; a Russian visa; tickets and documents for onward or return travel; and a migration card. HIV Certification is required for visas for more than three months.
