If you need to apply for a Russian visa requirements, you will have to submit several documents as a part of your application. These documents are required as proof that you fulfill the criteria to enter Russia.
The Russian embassy in your home country will decide if it should issue you a visa, based on them. That is why you should pay full attention to these documents. Note that the required documents differ based on your nationality. According to the visa type you are applying for, you will need to submit extra documents as well.
Russian Visa Requirements
There are documents that every Russian visa applicant has to submit. They are required regardless of the applicant’s nationality or purpose of the trip to Russia. These documents, known as the Standard Requirements for a Russian Visa, are as follows:
- Visa Application Form: Make sure your answers are correct and then print the form.
- Valid Passport: There are some criteria that your passport must meet in order for your application to be valid. These criteria are:
- Your passport must be valid for at least six more months after the expiration of the visa you are applying for.
- Your passport must have at least two blank pages, which do not have to be consecutive.
- A recent passport size photo: Make sure this photo complies with the requirements for a Russia Visa photo. Glue this photo to the indicated space in the printed application form.
- Proof of residence: If you are not applying from your home country, but rather from a country where you are residing, you should submit proof of residence in that particular country for the last 90 days. Date on proof of residence should be no older than one month. This document could be any of the following:
- A valid visa in your passport issued by the country where you are residing.
- Utility bills with your name and address.
- Letter from employer specifying the start date of your employment.
- Letter from university/college/school specifying the date of enrollment. The letter must provide further course details.
- Visa support: This is an invitation to travel to Russia. Without it, you cannot start your application for a Russian Visa. Below you can find more information on visa support, and what this document means for each visa type.
- Bank Statements for the last three months: Required only if you are self-employed, a company director, working from home, or unemployed. These bank statements must prove you have at least €115 for each day you plan to stay in Russia.
Russia Visa Requirements Based on Visa Type
According to the Russian visa type that you are applying for, you will need to submit extra documents in addition to the ones listed above. Here is a list of Russian visa types to find the specific required documents for each type.
Russia Visa Requirements Based on Applicant’s Nationality
If you are a citizen of the EU countries, Denmark, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, and Switzerland, applying for a Russian visa will need to submit:
- Health insurance policy document: This document must be issued by a foreign insurance company or a Russian insurance company and contain:
- Your full name.
- The date when the agreement was signed.
- The policy number and full details of the insurer.
- The dates of validity. Note that for single entry and double entry visas the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia. On the other hand, for multiple-entry visas, it must cover the duration of the first trip.
- The list of medical services that the insurance covers, including repatriation in case of death.
- The geographical area coverage the insurance covers. It must include Russia.
- Invitation issued by the company in Russia. It must contain the Individual Tax Number according to the Agreement between Russia and the EU on 25.05.2006. A written request from a legal person, company, organization, enterprise, institution, or their branches, state and local authorities, organizing committees, of the Russian Federation.
If you are a citizen of Australia traveling to Russia for business purposes, you are required to submit a detailed autobiography in the Russian language to ensure a principle of reciprocity.