All the visa terms you need to understand, explained in plain English. From visa invitations to migration cards — find clear definitions for every document and process.
An official document issued by a licensed Russian tour operator or company, required to apply for a Russian visa at any consulate worldwide.
Another name for a Russian visa invitation. This document confirms that a Russian organization supports your visa application and is required by all Russian consulates.
A document issued by a Russian travel agency confirming hotel accommodation and travel itinerary in Russia. Required for tourist visa applications along with the tourist confirmation.
A simplified electronic visa for Russia available to citizens of 50+ countries. Free of charge, processed in 4 days, valid for 16 days with single entry.
The fee charged by a Russian consulate or embassy for processing a visa application. Varies by country, visa type, and processing speed.
A confirmation number sent by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a specific Russian consulate, authorizing them to issue a business visa. Required for multi-entry business visitations.
A formal letter from a Russian organization inviting a foreign citizen to visit Russia for business purposes. Required for business visa applications.
The Russian government agency formerly responsible for migration control, registration of foreign visitors, and visa regulation. Now part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD).
A document filled out by all foreign visitors upon arrival in Russia. It records entry/exit dates and is required for hotel registration and visa extensions.
The process of registering a foreign visitor's presence in Russia within 7 business days of arrival. Usually done by the hotel or hosting organization.
The most common visa type for travelers visiting Russia for sightseeing, cultural events, or visiting friends. Valid for up to 30 days with single or double entry.
A visa for business travelers visiting Russia for meetings, negotiations, conferences, or work-related purposes. Valid from 1 month to 1 year with single, double, or multiple entries.
A private company that operates visa application centers on behalf of Russian embassies in many countries. Handles document submission and biometrics collection.
The collection of fingerprints and digital photographs required by some Russian consulates as part of the visa application process.
The period during which a visa can be used for entry (validity) versus the maximum number of days allowed inside Russia (duration of stay). These are different concepts.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the visa expiration date and have at least 2 blank pages facing each other.
The official online form that must be completed at visa.kdmid.ru before submitting your visa application at a Russian consulate.
Medical insurance with minimum $30,000 coverage required by most Russian consulates as part of the visa application. Must cover the entire duration of stay.
A Russian visa that allows you to enter Russia, leave to a neighboring country, and re-enter Russia one more time before the visa expires.
A Russian business visa that allows unlimited entries and exits during its validity period (3 months to 1 year), subject to the 90/180-day rule.
The Russian Federal Agency of Tourism that registers and licenses tour operators authorized to issue tourist visa invitations.
A 3.5×4.5 cm passport photo on white background required for Russian visa applications. Must be recent (within 6 months) and meet specific technical standards.
A visa for travelers passing through Russia to reach another country. Valid for up to 10 days for air transit or up to 10 days for land/sea transit.
A visa for visiting friends or relatives in Russia. Requires a personal invitation from a Russian citizen registered through the local MVD office.
The immigration checkpoint at Russian airports and land borders where officers verify your visa, passport, and migration card before allowing entry or exit.
A visa invitation is a document you need TO APPLY for a visa. The visa itself is the stamp/sticker in your passport that allows entry to Russia. They are two separate documents.
The regional branch of Russia's Federal Migration Service (FMS), responsible for visa registration, migration cards, and foreigner registration at the local level. Now part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD).
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MID/MFA) oversees all Russian embassies and consulates worldwide, sets visa policy, and manages the e-visa system at evisa.kdmid.ru.
'Priglashenie' is the Russian word for 'invitation.' In visa context, it refers to the official visa invitation document (visa support letter) required to apply for a Russian visa.
Some travelers can transit through Russian airports without a visa for up to 24 hours, provided they stay in the international transit zone and have a confirmed onward ticket.
An apostille is an international certification that authenticates documents for use in countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Russia is a member since 1992.
Overstaying your Russian visa can result in fines, detention, deportation, and entry bans of 3–10 years. Even one day of overstay is taken seriously by Russian authorities.
Extending a Russian visa is possible in limited circumstances (medical emergency, force majeure, business necessity) and must be applied for before the current visa expires.
A humanitarian visa allows entry to Russia for cultural, scientific, religious, sports, or charitable purposes. It requires an invitation from a Russian organization in the relevant field.
A Russian work visa allows foreign nationals to work legally in Russia. It requires a work permit issued by the employer and is separate from business visas, which don't allow employment.
A customs declaration form must be filled out when entering or leaving Russia if you carry more than $10,000 in cash, valuable items, or restricted goods. Available at border checkpoints.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Visa Invitation | An official document issued by a licensed Russian tour operator or company, required to apply for a Russian visa at any consulate worldwide. |
| Visa Support Letter | Another name for a Russian visa invitation. This document confirms that a Russian organization supports your visa application and is required by all Russian consulates. |
| Tourist Voucher | A document issued by a Russian travel agency confirming hotel accommodation and travel itinerary in Russia. Required for tourist visa applications along with the tourist confirmation. |
| E-Visa | A simplified electronic visa for Russia available to citizens of 50+ countries. Free of charge, processed in 4 days, valid for 16 days with single entry. |
| Consular Fee | The fee charged by a Russian consulate or embassy for processing a visa application. Varies by country, visa type, and processing speed. |
| TELEX | A confirmation number sent by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a specific Russian consulate, authorizing them to issue a business visa. Required for multi-entry business visitations. |
| LOI | A formal letter from a Russian organization inviting a foreign citizen to visit Russia for business purposes. Required for business visa applications. |
| FMS | The Russian government agency formerly responsible for migration control, registration of foreign visitors, and visa regulation. Now part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). |
| Migration Card | A document filled out by all foreign visitors upon arrival in Russia. It records entry/exit dates and is required for hotel registration and visa extensions. |
| Visa Registration | The process of registering a foreign visitor's presence in Russia within 7 business days of arrival. Usually done by the hotel or hosting organization. |
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