Visa Applications / Entry Requirements: Russia

German and other citizens can apply for an eVisa for a stay of up to 16 days. The visa can be applied for at the earliest 40 days and at the latest 4 days before entry, and entry for 16 days is then possible within 60 days of the visa being issued.
Please note, however, that an official “FMS” invitation from the ministry is required for business visas for technical purposes, which now fall under the category “Work” - “Installation Work” - “Common For Job”, and that these travel purposes are not covered by the eVisa. For more information, see “eVisa”.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL VISA CATEGORIES

• Fill out the visa application
  via https://visa.kdmid.ru
  Please select “GERMANY” at the very beginning (the country in which the visa is being applied for).

Please note these instructions for completing the application - to avoid delays when applying.

The Russian Embassy places great emphasis on the fact that the visa applications are filled out exactly. (Important, for example: When providing the home address, a phone number must be provided, although this is not a mandatory field.)

• Passportunknown node
  in the original, with at least 2 free pages, valid for at least 6 months beyond the travel period
• Passport photo
  in original, biometric, colored, taken in front of a light, neutral background, photo requirements
  The photo must not be older than 6 months.
• Proof of foreign health insurance
  The confirmation must include the following points: sum insured (at least €30,000), list of medical services, validity for Russia, validity for the travel period (sample)
• Non-German applicants: current certificate of registration (if EU citizen) or a copy of the residence permit for Germany (if not an EU citizen)

Additional requirements for a TOURIST VISA

• Visa support letter and voucher
  Visa support from the hotel or tour operator
• Proof of social ties to Germany
  e.g. proof of income, bank statement, certificate of enrollment or school certificate, or similar.

for private visas:

• invitation from the FMS or
• invitation from the spouse with a copy of the marriage certificate

additional requirements for BUSINESS VISAS

• secondment letter
  from the employer in Germany
  with salary details, assumption of costs, position in the company, etc. (sample)
• invitation letter
  from the company in Russia. Here you will find a list of all the information that an invitation must contain.
  If it is a ministerial invitation (brown, in A5 format), the original must always be submitted.
  ATTENTION: an invitation from the Russian migration service (FMS) is required for technical service and this purpose of travel does not fall under a “normal” business visa.

when applying for ANNUAL VISAS

• official invitation in original
  An annual visa can also be approved with a company invitation if the traveler can prove at least one business visa (with entry and exit stamps) within the last 365 days and the invitation is in the original and in Russian.

Please refer to the black box on the right for information on how to order a business or tourist invitation through SERVISUM.

Processing time (without guarantee):
Normal = 1 week
Express = 3 business days

Annual visas and special visas = at least 11 business days