Step by step to planning your trip

Planning a trip to Russia will seem difficult to many people but it is actually much easier than you might think. You will need the following to get a tourist visa: an invitation, valid passport, visa application form, passport photo(s), consular visa fee. In most countries you can use an express service to get a visa in 24 hours but 8-10 working days is the safest and cheapest way of getting your visa. We also recommend you use an agency that will supervise the completion of the forms correctly, saving you going to the consulate and queuing for hours to drop off and then pick up your passport.

KEY STEPS

1)      Provisionally reserve your flight and accommodation.

2)      Order your tourist or business invitation (online).

3)      Apply for your visa at a Russian consulate using the invitation supplied to you and by filling in an application form.

4)      Provide your passport, application form, photos (2), and fee to your agent or go to the consulate yourself.

5)      Confirm your accommodation and flights.

6)      Book and arrange excursions and other activities.

It is extremely unlikely that the Russian Consulate will refuse you a tourist visa. Sometimes delays can occur and the process can be slower than you would like but you should feel confident that if your paperwork is correct you will get your visa.  None of our clients have been refused a visa to date.

When you order your tourist visa invitation online there an option for you to choose a local partner agency to process your visa application.  Agency rates typically start from E50.

TIPS

• You are supposed to apply for a visa in the country of your nationality (ie a British person must apply in the UK) or you can apply where you are resident (you will need to prove your residency)
• Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months.
• Note that different Russian consulates follow different practices (eg in London you don't need to show an aids test or insurance for a business visa.  In Edinburgh you do.  In most countries the Russian Consulates require original invitations for only business visas whereas tourist invitations can be copies).
• Different nationalities applying for a visa will have different criteria (eg a British passport holder will not need to show travel insurance, an Italian will).
• Use an agent to get your visa to reduce stress. For as little as E50 they will save you two trips to the consulate and will know the local requirements.
• Consulate visa rules, forms and regulations change all the time, your local agent will be aware of these.
• Check with your agent the price for the services and agree on methods and costs for delivering and retrieving your documents by registered post or courier.
• Be aware of Russian public holidays which may mean the consulate is closed.
• Remember that Russians trying to visit Europe legitimately have the same problems and pay 2-3 times more and in some cases have to wait 2 or more months for an appointment at some consulates. 

The contents of this page has been read and checked by the British Consulate but we ask all travelers to check with their travel agents to check the rules before confirming accommodation and flights to avoid disappointment.