Russian ordinary visa

To enter the Russian Federation almost every foreigner should obtain a Russian visa. We remind that the each visa is valid for one person only. Visa is valid for a fixed term (in accordance with an invitation or a tourist confirmation). It can allow a single, double or multiple entry to Russia. A visa application should be made directly to the Consular Section in person or via visa center (mailed applications are not accepted).

If you apply via a travel agent, the application form should bear the original signature of the applicant!

Visa processing starts only after the complete required set of document is submitted.

After receiving your passport with visa please check it for mistakes (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consular Section for corrections. Please, check out the information how to read your visa (download).

The Consular Section will not be responsible for any misprints in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to your departure from Taiwan.

Please, note that visas cannot be changed or extended. If your travel plans changed after the visa issuance you have to reapply for a new one.

In accordance with the Government of the Russian Federation Decree N 413 of August 16, 2004, "On Migration Card" when entering Russia, a foreign citizen is obliged to receive and fill out a Migration Card and present it to the official of the border control authority who, if the information entered in the migration card is consistent with the information contained in his visa and passport, puts in the Migration Card a mark on entry to the Russian Federation.

Migration Card forms are issued to foreign citizens upon entry to Russia free of charge by officials of border control agencies or representatives of organizations providing transport services to foreigners visiting Russia.

The Migration Card is kept by a foreign citizen during the whole period of his/her stay in Russia and it is submitted together with other documents for registration at the place of his/her stay in Russia.

In the event of damage or loss of the Migration Card, a foreign citizen must within 3 days notify the territorial office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia at the place of his/her stay. Once a foreign citizen submitted documents on the basis of which he entered Russia, he is issued a duplicate of the Migration Card for free.

When leaving Russia, a foreign citizen must return his/her Migration Card to an official of the border agency at the checkpoint of the Russian state border.

Federal Custom Service has lauched special online serivce, where foreign citizens can check if they have any customs payments debts or entry restrictions. For more, please visit this website . 

Attention! If you didn't pay in time or at all any customs debts, you may be denied to enter the territory of Russian Federation.

Please, check out our manual how to fill in online app form (download).

A foreign citizen may be issued single/double entry (up to 3 months) or multiple entry (up to 6 months) ordinary tourist visa - on the basis of Confirmation from the tour operator (listed in the Unified Federal Register of tour operators). The total period of a foreigner's stay in Russia may not exceed 90 days during each period of 180 days.

Required documents for obtaining a visa:

1. Confirmation from the tour operator (Holders of Taiwanese passports should have their nationality listed as "Taiwan, China");
2. Passport, which must be valid for at least six months after the visa expiry date and have at least two blank pages;
3. Printed, filled in and signed online application form (proceed);
4. One recent (within 6 months) passport size photo (3,5x4,5 cm.), which must be glued to the indicated space on the form;
5. Insurance (only for Schengen countries, Israel, Ireland, Iran). If you provide insurance of foreign insurance organization you should also provide the proof that this company has reinsurance agreement(s) with Russian insurance organization(s);
6. Document entitling the foreign national to stay in Taiwan continuously for more than 180 days.

Time required to process a single/double entry visa is 5 working days, for multiple entry visa - 10 working days.

Tourist visa is required in case you enter Russian Federation for tourism purposes. Please note, that a tourist visa allows you to enter Russia to participate in short negotiations, visit exhibitions, auctions, medical consultations or surveys. Please note, that if you want to participate in exhibitions, you need to apply for a business visa.

Please, be advised that US-citizens can apply for a 3-year multiple entry visa with a copy of the tourist voucher and confirmation.

Please, check out consular fees and payment advisory – (download).

Please note that tourists on board large cruise ships can stay in the Russian Federation without a visa for up to 72 hours. They have the right to leave the ship and come back on board the ship only as part of an organized tourist group.

We would like to remind you that after receiving your passport with visa please check it for mistakes (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consular Section for corrections. 

The Consular Section will not be responsible for any misprints in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to your departure from Taiwan.

Please, check out the information how to read your visa (download).

Business visa is required in case you enter Russian Federation for business purposes (for example, for business or commercial talks, to participate in exhibitions, trade shows or different fairs) . Business visa can be valid for up to one year and can be issued for single, double or multiple entries. Validity dates of the visa will correspond with the ones mentioned in your invitation or electronic invitation. Please note, that if you apply for one year multiple visa you can stay in Russia for 90 days every six months.

To apply for Russian business visa you will need to present:

1. Passport or other travel document original and copy, which should be valid for a minimum of six months after visa's expiration date and has at least 2 blank pages which don't need to be consecutive.

2. Printed and signed online application form (proceed);

3. One recent (within 6 months) passport size photo (3,5x4,5 cm.), which must be glued to the indicated space on the form;

4. Document entitling the foreign national to stay in Taiwan continuously for more than 180 days;

5. Invitation or electronic invitation issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry or by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs or its branch. (Holders of Taiwanese passports should have their nationality listed as "Taiwan, China");

6. Insurance (only for Schengen countries, Israel, Ireland, Iran). If you provide insurance of foreign insurance organization you should also provide the proof that this company has reinsurance agreement(s) with Russian insurance organization(s).

Please, check out consular fees and payment advisory – (download).

For business visa you are required to submit the original invitation (click to see a sample of business visa invitation) or the printed electronic invitation (click to see a sample).

For USA, EU and Japan citizens

Please note that the direct invitation letter should contain: official seal and legal address of the host institution, document registration number and date of registration, signature and name of the official authorized to invite foreigners to Russia, purpose of visit, dates of stay, names of persons invited.

We would like to remind you that after receiving your passport with visa please check it for mistakes (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consular Section for corrections. 

The Consular Section will not be responsible for any misprints in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to your departure from Taiwan.

Please, check out the information how to read your visa (download).

Humanitarian visa is required in case you enter Russian Federation for humanitarian purposes (for example, to participate in cultural, sport, scientific events, for cultural exchanges). Humanitarian visa can be valid for up to one year and can be issued for single, double or multiple entries. Validity dates of the visa will correspond with the ones mentioned in your invitation or electronic invitation.

To apply for Russian humanitarian visa you will need to present:

1. Passport or other travel document original and copy, which should be valid for a minimum of six months after visa's expiration date and has at least 2 blank pages which don't need to be consecutive.

If you are accompanied by a child, who does not have his/her own passport, he/she should be included in one of the parents' passport. If a child is 4 years old or senior the parents' passport should have his/her photograph.

2. Printed and signed online application form (proceed);

3. One recent (within 6 months) passport size photo (3,5x4,5 cm.), which must be glued to the indicated space on the form;

4. Document entitling the foreign national to stay in Taiwan continuously for more than 180 days;

5. Invitation or electronic invitation issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry or by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs or its branch. (Holders of Taiwanese passports should have their nationality listed as "Taiwan, China");

6.  Insurance (only for Schengen countries, Israel, Ireland, Iran). If you provide insurance of foreign insurance organization you should also provide the proof that this company has reinsurance agreement(s) with Russian insurance organization(s).

Please, check out consular fees and payment advisory – (download).

For humanitarian visa you are required to submit the original invitation (click to see a sample of humanitarian visa invitation) or the printed electronic invitation (click to see a sample).

For USA, EU and Japan citizens

Please note that the direct invitation letter should contain: official seal and legal address of the host institution, document registration number and date of registration, signature and name of the official authorized to invite foreigners to Russia, purpose of visit, dates of stay, names of persons invited.

We would like to remind you that after receiving your passport with visa please check it for mistakes (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consular Section for corrections. The Consular Section will not be responsible for any misprints in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to your departure from Taiwan.

Please, check out the information how to read your visa (download).

Study visa is required in case you enter Russian Federation for study purposes (for example, if you plan to short or long term study in Russia or vocational training). Study visa can be valid for up to one year and can be issued for single or multiple entries. Validity dates of the visa will correspond with the ones mentioned in your invitation or telex.

To apply for Russian study visa you will need to present:

1. Passport or other travel document original and copy, which should be valid for a minimum of 1,5 year after visa's expiration date and has at least 2 blank pages which don't need to be consecutive.

2. Printed and signed online application form (proceed);

3. One recent (within 6 months) passport size photo (3,5x4,5 cm.), which must be glued to the indicated space on the form;

4. Document entitling the foreign national to stay in Taiwan continuously for more than 180 days;

5. Invitation or electronic invitation issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry or by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs or its branch. (Holders of Taiwanese passports should have their nationality listed as "Taiwan, China");

6. Insurance (only for Schengen countries, Israel, Ireland, Iran). If you provide insurance of foreign insurance organization you should also provide the proof that this company has reinsurance agreement(s) with Russian insurance organization(s).

For study visa you are required to submit the original invitation (click to see a sample of study visa invitation) or the printed electronic invitation (click to see a sample).

Please, check out consular fees and payment advisory – (download).

We would like to remind you that after receiving your passport with visa please check it for mistakes (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consular Section for corrections. 

The Consular Section will not be responsible for any misprints in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to your departure from Taiwan.

Please, check out the information how to read your visa (download).

Private visa is required in case you plan to stay in Russian Federation with your friends of relatives. Private visa can be valid for up to 90 days and can be issued for single or double entries. Validity dates of the visa will correspond with the ones mentioned in your invitation or telex. Close relatives of Russian citizens may apply for 1-year multiple entry visa.

To apply for Russian private visa you will need to present:

1. Passport or other travel document original and copy, which should be valid for a minimum of six months after visa's expiration date and has at least 2 blank pages which don't need to be consecutive.

2. Printed and signed online application form (proceed);

3. One recent (within 6 months) passport size photo (3,5x4,5 cm.), which must be glued to the indicated space on the form;

4. Document entitling the foreign national to stay in Taiwan continuously for more than 180 days;

5. Invitation or electronic invitation issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry or by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs or its branch. (Holders of Taiwanese passports should have their nationality listed as "Taiwan, China");

6. In case of a visit to the Russian Federation for urgent medical reasons / urgent treatment, or to visit a seriously ill (deceased) relative, an applicant should present a certificate issued by a medical institution or a death certificate and a document proving the kindred between the applicant and the ill or deceased relative. Passport's validity of the applicant should exceed the visa expiry date.

7. Insurance (only for Schengen countries, Israel, Ireland, Iran). If you provide insurance of foreign insurance organization you should also provide the proof that this company has reinsurance agreement(s) with Russian insurance organization(s).

For private visa you are required to submit the original invitation (click to see a sample of private visa invitation) or the printed electronic invitation (click to see a sample).

Please, check out consular fees and payment advisory – (download).

For private visa for close relatives of Russian citizens, please see Russian version of this website.

We would like to remind you that after receiving your passport with visa please check it for mistakes (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consular Section for corrections. 

The Consular Section will not be responsible for any misprints in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to your departure from Taiwan.

Please, check out the information how to read your visa (download).

Transit visa is issued in case you are going via Russian Federation to a third country and it is the only way to get there. Otherwhise you should apply for tourist visa.

Important: if you are on a transit flight, will be spending less than 24 hours in Russia, and do not intend to leave the airport transit area, then you do not need Russian transit visa for your trip. Please check in advance the availability of transit passage between different terminals in the selected airport*.

Maximum duration of stay under transit visa is:

• when traveling by air: 3 days;
• when traveling by rail: 10 days;

To apply for Russian transit visa you will need to present:

1. Passport or other travel document original and copy, which should be valid for a minimum of six months after visa's expiration date and has at least 2 blank pages which don't need to be consecutive.

If you are accompanied by a child, who does not have his/her own passport, he/she should be included in one of the parents' passport. If a child is 4 years old or senior the parents' passport should have his/her photograph.

2. Printed and signed online application form (proceed);

3. One recent (within 6 months) passport size photo (3,5x4,5 cm.), which must be glued to the indicated space on the form;

4. Printed air/train/bus ticket to and from Russia or confirmed guarantee of its purchase; 

5. Valid visa to the country you are going to visit after leaving Russia (or proof that visa is not required by that country (international agreement, etc.), the proof can also be issued by the consular office of your country or country of destination) or passport of that country.

6. Insurance (only for Schengen countries, Israel, Ireland, Iran). If you provide insurance of foreign insurance organization you should also provide the proof that this company has reinsurance agreement(s) with Russian insurance organization(s).

Please, check out consular fees and payment advisory – (download).

We would like to remind you that after receiving your passport with visa please check it for mistakes (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consular Section for corrections. 

The Consular Section will not be responsible for any misprints in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to your departure from Taiwan.

Please, check out the information how to read your visa (download).

*For details on transit zones of some major Russian airports, please refer to links below:

• Sheremetyevo (Moscow)
• Domodedovo (Moscow)
• Vnukovo (Moscow)
• Pulkovo (Saint-Petersburg)
• Vladivostok international airport (Vladivostok)

Work visa is required in case you enter Russian Federation for working purposes (for example, if you plan to work as a foreign employee, teacher, mass media reporter, technician etc.). Work visa can be valid for up to one year and can be issued for single or multiple entries. Validity dates of the visa will correspond with the ones mentioned in your invitation or telex.

To apply for Russian work visa you will need to present:

1. Passport or other travel document original and copy, which should be valid for a minimum of 1,5 year after visa's expiration date and has at least 2 blank pages which don't need to be consecutive.

2. Printed and signed online application form (proceed);

3. One recent (within 6 months) passport size photo (3,5x4,5 cm.), which must be glued to the indicated space on the form;

4. Document entitling the foreign national to stay in Taiwan continuously for more than 180 days;

5. Invitation or electronic invitation issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry or by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs or its branch. (Holders of Taiwanese passports should have their nationality listed as "Taiwan, China");

6. Hardcopy of HIV Test (AIDS) Certificate in english. Please note that the validity of this document is three months;

7. Insurance (only for Schengen countries, Israel, Ireland, Iran). If you provide insurance of foreign insurance organization you should also provide the proof that this company has reinsurance agreement(s) with Russian insurance organization(s).

Please, check out consular fees and payment advisory – (download).

For the work visa you are required to submit the original invitation (click to see a sample of work visa invitation) or the printed electronic invitation (click to see a sample).

We would like to remind you that after receiving your passport with visa please check it for mistakes (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consular Section for corrections. 

The Consular Section will not be responsible for any misprints in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to your departure from Taiwan.

Please, check out the information how to read your visa (download).

A visa to enter the Russian Federation in order to obtain a temporary residence permit is issued to a foreign citizen holding a permit from an administrative unit of the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Russian MIA (before - Federal Migration Service) to enter the Russian Federation for temporary residency. 

If a foreign citizen has failed to enter Russia within the prescribed period (four months) with the issued visa to enter the Russian Federation in order to obtain a temporary residence permit in the Russian Federation, the whole procedure of issuing a permit for temporary residence must be carried out again.

A visa to enter the Russian Federation in order to obtain a temporary residence permit in the Russian Federation is issued only based on the invitation of the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Russian MIA with the purpose of visit as "temporary residence" or a written decision of an administrative unit of the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Russian MIA on giving a foreign citizen a permit for temporary residence in Russia. Such letter is delivered to our Office directly from the administrative unit of the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Russian MIA or through the Consular department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, or the applicant submits it on the day of the application.

To apply for this type of visa you must present:

1. Passport or other travel document original and copy, which should be valid for a minimum of six months after visa's expiration date and has at least 2 blank pages which don't need to be consecutive.

If you are accompanied by a child, who does not have his/her own passport, he/she should be included in one of the parents' passport. If a child is 4 years old or senior the parents' passport should have his/her photograph.

2. Printed and signed online application form (proceed);

3. One recent (within 6 months) passport size photo (3,5x4,5 cm.), which must be glued to the indicated space on the form;

4. Document entitling the foreign national to stay in Taiwan continuously for more than 180 days;

5. A written decision (original) issued by the MVD of Russia.

We would like to remind that this type of visa can only be for a single entry. 

As the suggested by Australia, recently several APEC member economies have started issuing Virtual APEC Business Travel Cards (ABTC) which like plastic ABTC, allow entry of citizens of APEC member economies travelling to respective economies for business and official purposes during a five-year period.

The Russian Federation will need a fairly long transition period for the full-fledged implementation of the Virtual ABTC scheme in order to amend the Russian legislation, implement a series of organizational and technical measures and modernize the checkpoints and the system of data flow with regard to the entry and stay of foreign citizens in Russia.

In this regard, the holders of the virtual ABTC will not be permitted entrance to the Russian Federation pending Russia’s notification of its readiness to join the virtual ABTC system.

In accordance with paragraph 4 of the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated 19.08.2024 №702 “On provision of humanitarian support to persons who share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values” (hereinafter referred to as the Decree), the persons mentioned in paragraph 1 of the Decree may obtain single ordinary private visas FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO THREE MONTHS.

Such visas are issued for entry into the territory of the Russian Federation for the purpose of subsequently submitting an application for a temporary residence permit to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation without taking into account the quota approved by the Government of the Russian Federation and without submitting a document confirming proficiency in the Russian language, knowledge of the history of Russia and the fundamentals of its legislation.

Only the citizens of the following countries are entitled to petition to obtain such a visa (the list was approved by the Order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated September 17, 2024, No. 2560-r): Australia, Austria, Albania, Andorra, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Great Britain (including the British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories), Germany, Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Micronesia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, North Macedonia, Singapore, Slovenia, United States of America, Taiwan (China), Ukraine (included in the list, but Ukrainian citizens enter Russia only on a visa-free basis through Sheremetyevo Airport, Moscow), Finland, France, Croatia, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Estonia, Japan. 

You can find more information in the GUIDE FOR FOREIGN CITIZENS MOVING TO RUSSIA

To apply for a visa you will need to present:

1. Passport or other travel document original and copy, which should be valid for a minimum of six months after visa's expiration date and has at least 2 blank pages which don't need to be consecutive.

2. Printed and signed online visa application form (proceed);

3. One recent (within 6 months) passport size photo (3,5x4,5 cm.), which must be glued to the indicated space on the form;

4. Application form (available at the Representative office for the MTC in Taipei);

5. If you are a non-Taiwanese, you must also provide APRC (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate).

6. Medical insurance (only for Schengen countries, Ireland). If you provide insurance of foreign insurance organization you should also provide the proof that this company has reinsurance agreement(s) with Russian insurance organization(s).

Please note! We would like to draw the attention of applicants that in order to submit an application to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs for a temporary residence permit, it is recommended before entering the Russian Federation to obtain a document issued by the authorized body of the state of applicant’s citizenship and permanent residence, confirming the presence (absence) of a criminal record of the applicant (for persons older than 14 years old) – non-conviction letter.

The letter should be issued no more than three months before the date of filing the application for a temporary residence permit in Russia. It is necessary to obtain an apostille for the letter, translate the document and apostille into Russian and have the translation certified by the notary of the consular division of the Embassy, or by a notary on the territory of the Russian Federation.

In the absence of this certificate of no criminal record (non-conviction letter), as well as if the validity of the document is more than three months as of the date of filing the application for issuance of a temporary residence permit, the foreign citizen may be denied acceptance of the application.