How to Obtain a Russian Tourist Visa

If you are a citizen of a country such as the United States, Germany, England, Switzerland or any other western country and would like to visit Russian Federation you will most likely need to obtain a Russian tourist visa in order to enter.

Although the process of obtaining a Russian tourist visa is not too complicated its also not exactly what you would call completely easy. Russian Soviet era bureaucracy which still dominates many parts of the government today can be a burden to deal with and you will need the right information in order to successfully obtain a Russian tourist visa. The following steps will serve as a guide for you to obtain a Russian tourist visa in the easiest possible way.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Valid passport
• 2, 2x2 photos of yourself
• Money

1. Go to your local CVS or Walgreens and get 2 passport sized photos. Each photo should be 2x2 inches, showing your unobstructed face on a completely white background. In order to obtain a Russian tourist visa you will need to submit these photos along with the application.

2. Find a Russian tour or travel agency and go to their office.

3. Inquire about a Russian tourist visa once you get to the agency's office. Oftentimes these agencies obtain fake invitations from different hotels they deal with or people that work for them in Russia and can make you a visa in as little as one week.

4. Pay $150 visa fee plus any additional fees that the tour agency charges for their services.

5. Fill out all the paperwork that they give you and leave your passport and photos with them. Make sure your passport is up to date and does not expire for another six months.

6. Wait for the phone call from the tour agency. Once they complete the visa registration they will call you and let you know that your visa is ready.

7. Go to the office to pick up your passport with the newly acquired Russian tourist visa.

Tips & Warnings

• After picking up your passport remember to inspect the visa and make sure that the entry and expiration dates are correct. You don't want to have the visa expire before you have a chance to visit the country.
• Keep in mind that $150 is the visa fee paid to the Russian government and not the fee charged by the agency. Anything above this is the actual fee charged by the agency for their services.
• When you arrive to Russia you will have 3 days to register your visa at the local OVIR office. If you are staying in the hotel they can also register your visa so you don't have to make an extra trip.