Obtaining a visa can be a nuisance without professional help and advice. Visa requirements can be obscure, even confusing, and ever changing.

To obtain a tourist visa the following documents should be submitted to the CONSULAR SECTION (CONSULATE):

1. A completed visa application form (one per person).
   
2. A valid passport which should have at least two clear visa pages.
   
3. One passport size photo of the applicant which should be stapled to the marked space of the application form.
   
4. A standard tourist confirmation from a hosting authorized Russian travel agency or a hotel, registered with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a voucher from your hotel or travel agency in Russia.
   
5. A cover letter from yourself, containing the following information:
• applicant’s name or alphabetical list of a group;
• dates and points of arrival and departure in and from Russia and means of transportation;
• itinerary in Russia;
  
6. A money order or cashier’s check payable to the Russian Embassy for visa processing. Please, note that we do not accept cash or any other checks. The visa processing fees are:

For single entry visas are:
$131 for 4-20 business days processing;
$250 for 3 business days processing;

For double entry visas are:
$131 for 4-20 business days processing;
$250 for 3 business days processing;

Visa processing fee is not refundable. Please, note, that drop off day is not counted as business day!

IMPORTANT: THE DURATION OF THE RUSSIAN TOURIST VISA CANNOT BE LONGER THAN ONE MONTH!

When entering Russia as a tourist, you may be also required to present the copies of your tourist confirmation, hotel voucher and your return ticket with a fixed date of departure from Russia at the border check point. We can do next or same day processing only if the volume of work technically permits. Visa processing starts only after the complete required set of document is submitted. When having received your visa please check it for mistakes (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consulate for corrections. The Consulate will not be responsible for any mistakes in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to your departure from the USA. 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. Any visa applicant may be interviewed by a consular officer if necessary. Processing time, requirements and fees are subject to change without notice.