Sample of the Business Travel Requirements for a Russia Visa for Australian Citizens

  1. Visa Validity

    Visa is valid for the specific dates issued on the official voucher/invitation. Entry and exit must occur within these dates.

    The validity of the issued visa is at the discretion of the Embassy/Consulate and may vary to that advertised.

    When to Apply - Applicants can only apply for a Russian visa if the entry date into Russia is within 3 months from the date of lodgement. In exceptional circumstances, applicants may be allowed to apply outside of this time if evidence supporting the early application is provided.

  2. Duration of Stay

    Visas are issued as per the period of stay stipulated on the official invitation with the following limitations:

    • Single-entry and double-entry business visas are issued for a period no longer than 90 days.
    • Multiple-entry business visas are issued for up to 1 year.

    Please note, that according to Russian Law, multiple-entry visa permits the holder to stay in the territory of Russia no more than 90 days in every 180 days.

    The duration of stay issued on the visa is at the discretion of the Embassy/Consulate and may vary to that advertised.

  3. Passport

    The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:

    • Be valid for six months beyond exit date
    • Have two blank facing visa pages

  4. Photograph(s)

    You must provide a photograph. Upload your photo and we will print it to the exact specifications required for this visa. Follow https://visalink.com.au/photo-service to upload your photo.

     

    Alternatively, you may provide one colour, passport-type photograph that meets the following strict criteria: be taken within the last three months against an all-white background and printed on high-quality photo paper; be 45mm (h) by 35mm (w); provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression. You may wear neither eyeglasses nor headwear except for religious purposes. Your photo should be glued to the designated section of the visa application form (in the absence of a designated area, affix to the top right or top left corner).

  5. Official Invitation from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    An official invitation from Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating permission for the number of entries needed is required. Applicants must:

    • Supply the original of the official invitation from Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

      or

    • Supply a copy of a Telex invitation confirmation (or a letter with the Telex number provided, the ready date and where it has been sent to i.e. the Consulate in Sydney or Embassy in Canberra)

    If obtaining a Telex invitation (not available for certain nationalities), please ensure that the person obtaining this on the applicant's behalf, informs the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs where the visa application is being lodged in Australia i.e. The Russian Consulate in Sydney (for residents of all states excluding ACT) or the Russian Embassy in Canberra (for residents of ACT).

    Telex ready dates: Applicants who are providing a Telex Invitation, rather than the original paper invitation, need to be aware that the issue date on the Telex confirmation determines the earliest date the visa application may be lodged. This date is normally 7 days after the Telex request was lodged at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The date on the Telex will be a Russian date and, due to the time difference here in Australia, visa applications can only be lodged at the Consulate/Embassy on the following business day as they will not have received the electronic confirmation from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs until that morning.

    Please note that Visalink lodges applications at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Sydney for residents of all states except ACT which are lodged at the  Embassy of the Russian Federation in Canberra. Official Invitations from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Telex invitation confirmations must indicate the Embassy in Canberra as the place of lodgement if your reside in ACT and the Consulate in Sydney if you reside in any other state. If the Official Invitation or Telex Confirmation does not indicate the correct place of lodgement, a new Official Invitation or Telex Confirmation will be required.

     

  6. Letter of Invitation

    A letter of invitation from the applicant's host company. A copy is acceptable. This letter must:

    • Be on company letter head including the full address and contact details of the host
    • Be addressed to the Russian Embassy
    • Specify the applicant's full name, gender, date of birth, passport number etc..
    • Specify the purpose and duration of stay
    • Specify the type of visa, validity and number of entries requested
    • Include an acceptance of financial responsibility for the applicant
    • Be signed and dated by the applicant's host
       

  7. Curriculum Vitae

    If travelling on Government or official business, a Curriculum Vitae of the traveller written in Russian must be provided. The Curriculum Vitae must list the following:

    • Applicant's full name as per Passport
    • Applicant's gender
    • Applicant's date and place of birth
    • Applicant's current employer and address details
    • Applicant's current position and commencement date
    • Applicant's previous employer
    • Applicant's education and qualification

  8. Visa Application Form

    One fully completed and signed online application form completed on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website https://visa.kdmid.ru/ (do not print double sided). Visalink provides a guide to assist you in completing the online application. To access the guide follow the link: https://visalink.com.au/forms?formname=Russia+Online+Visa+Form+Guidelines.pdf.

    At the end of the Online Application Process you will be asked to "Select the location where you will be applying for your visa". Please ensure you select the following, based on your Residential State:

    • Applicants residing in ACT must select "Russian Visa Centre (Canberra)"
    • Applicants residing in all other states must select "Russian Visa Centre (Sydney)"

    Note: This application form can only be completed once you have received your Russian Invitation. A section on the Russian visa application form requires the inviting organisation and invitation number stated on the Russian invitation.

  9. Visalink Order Confirmation

    Please provide the Visalink Order Summary which will be emailed to you at the time of placing the order.

  10. Judicial System Professionals

    Visalink is unable to assist with the issuance of the Official invitation from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for members of the Judicial System i.e. lawyers, judges and other persons in charge of Judicial affairs.

    Applicants will be required to arrange the Official invitation directly through their contact/company in Russia.

  11. Russian Born Applicants

    Applicants born in the USSR and applying with a passport other than a Russian passport must provide proof of "Renunciation of Russian Citizenship" with their application. If this cannot be provided the applicant must apply and travel on a Russian passport. For information on cancelling one's Russian citizenship please contact the relevant Embassy/Consulate directly.

    Applicants that were previously citizens of the USSR or the Russian Federation must also advise that they are no longer citizens of the Russian Federation by indicating at Q.2 on the online visa form why they gave up their Russian Citizenship e.g. dissolution of the former USSR, they left for "permanent residence abroad" before the 6th of February, 1992 or that their Russian citizenship was abrogated, otherwise the applications will not be accepted. It is not sufficient to just write "became an Australian citizen". At the question regarding if the applicant held a previous nationality passport and that passport was Russian, they must select "No".

    Current citizens of the Russian Federation regardless of any other citizenship they have, must travel to Russia on valid Russian documents only.

  12. Traveller Registration (Highly Recommended)

    Stay informed and safe by having Visalink subscribe you to the Travel Advice Email Alerts of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade. Registration enables you to receive the most up-to-date travel advice regarding safety, security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. Visalink will register the email address provided in the order. To enroll in this optional service, add this option to your order within the order flow. (Note: the Australian Government does not levy a fee for this service).

Sample of the Tourist Travel Requirements for a Russia Visa for Australian Citizens

  1. Visa Validity

    Visa is valid for the specific dates issued on the official voucher/invitation. Entry and exit must occur within these dates.

    The validity of the issued visa is at the discretion of the Embassy/Consulate and may vary to that advertised.

    When to Apply - Applicants can only apply for a Russian visa if the entry date into Russia is within 3 months from the date of lodgement. In exceptional circumstances, applicants may be allowed to apply outside of this time if evidence supporting the early application is provided.

  2. Duration of Stay

    The duration of stay permitted is as per the dates on the official voucher. Maximum stay is 30 days (for double entry visas, the final exit date must be no more than 30 days from the date of first entry).

    The duration of stay issued on the visa is at the discretion of the Embassy/Consulate and may vary to that advertised.

  3. Passport

    The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:

    • Be valid for six months beyond exit date
    • Have two blank facing visa pages

  4. Photograph(s)

    You must provide a photograph. Upload your photo and we will print it to the exact specifications required for this visa. Follow https://visalink.com.au/photo-service to upload your photo.

     

    Alternatively, you may provide one colour, passport-type photograph that meets the following strict criteria: be taken within the last three months against an all-white background and printed on high-quality photo paper; be 45mm (h) by 35mm (w); provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression. You may wear neither eyeglasses nor headwear except for religious purposes. Your photo should be glued to the designated section of the visa application form (in the absence of a designated area, affix to the top right or top left corner).

  5. Letter of Invitation

    A valid voucher and official confirmation letter issued by a registered Russian tour agency or hotel is required.

    The Russian consulate will only accept a maximum of two physical vouchers issued by no more than two Russian tour operators. If the applicant has received vouchers issued by more than two different Russian tour operators, please contact Visalink.

    If applying for a double entry tourist visa please ensure that the voucher requests a "double entry". It is not acceptable to provide two tourist vouchers both requesting a "single entry".

    Visalink can obtain a Russian voucher and official confirmation letter. Please indicate that you require Visalink to arrange this when placing your online order.

    Please note: There are certain restricted areas of Russia which Visalink is unable to provide a voucher for. We will contact you if a city you have requested is restricted and we are unable to assist.

    Please Note: The Official Confirmation Letter must state the applicants full name as it appears in the passport.

  6. Proof of Travel Arrangements

    Details of travel arrangements. These must be provided as a copy of a detailed itinerary showing exact entry and exit dates and locations into Russia.

  7. Visa Application Form

    One fully completed and signed online application form completed on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website https://visa.kdmid.ru/ (do not print double sided). Visalink provides a guide to assist you in completing the online application. To access the guide follow the link: https://visalink.com.au/forms?formname=Russia+Online+Visa+Form+Guidelines.pdf.

    At the end of the Online Application Process you will be asked to "Select the location where you will be applying for your visa". Please ensure you select the following, based on your Residential State:

    • Applicants residing in ACT must select "Russian Visa Centre (Canberra)"
    • Applicants residing in all other states must select "Russian Visa Centre (Sydney)"

    Note: This application form can only be completed once you have received your Russian voucher and official confirmation letter as a section on the Russian visa application form requires the name of the tour operator and reference / confirmation number from the voucher e.g. Grand Service Group - MVT / MBT 0022113.

  8. Visalink Order Confirmation

    Please provide the Visalink Order Summary which will be emailed to you at the time of placing the order.

  9. Double Entry Applicants

    Double-entry tourist visas are granted only if the following conditions are met:

    • In between entries into Russia the applicant is visiting only a neighbouring country (i.e. shares a common border with Russia), a C.I.S country or a Schengen member country
    • The applicant holds a valid visa for that country (if required)
    • The purpose of travel to that country is tourism

  10. Cruise Ship Passengers

    Tourists travelling on-board large cruise ships do not require a visa if the following conditions are met:

    • The overall period of their stay in the Russian territory is no more than 3 days (72 hours)
    • They stay overnight on-board the cruise ship
    • They go ashore only as a part of a group of passengers on the excursions organized by the cruise company
    • The visa exemption does not apply to River Cruise Passengers

    Tourists intending to go ashore independently, and not take part in the cruise company's organized shore excursions will require a visa.

    A single entry visa will only allow the applicant to disembark the cruise ship once.

    If applicants intend to disembark the cruise ship twice, whether on the same day or two separate days, a double entry visa will be required.

    Please Note: Cruise Ship passengers are only permitted to apply for a single entry or double entry tourist visa - Multiple entry tourist visas will not be issued.

    If cruise ship passengers intend to disembark the cruise ship more than twice within 72 hours, the additional shore excursions must be pre-arranged shore excursions organized by the cruise company. In this instance, the cruise company will arrange blanket visas. Applicants should confirm with the cruise company to ensure that blanket visas will be available.

    Please Note: Visalink cannot assist with vouchers for passengers travelling into Russia on a river cruise. The applicant must provide the voucher directly from the river cruise company.

  11. Russian Born Applicants

    Applicants born in the USSR and applying with a passport other than a Russian passport must provide proof of "Renunciation of Russian Citizenship" with their application. If this cannot be provided the applicant must apply and travel on a Russian passport. For information on cancelling one's Russian citizenship please contact the relevant Embassy/Consulate directly.

    Applicants that were previously citizens of the USSR or the Russian Federation must also advise that they are no longer citizens of the Russian Federation by indicating at Q.2 on the online visa form why they gave up their Russian Citizenship e.g. dissolution of the former USSR, they left for "permanent residence abroad" before the 6th of February, 1992 or that their Russian citizenship was abrogated, otherwise the applications will not be accepted. It is not sufficient to just write "became an Australian citizen". At the question regarding if the applicant held a previous nationality passport and that passport was Russian, they must select "No".

    Current citizens of the Russian Federation regardless of any other citizenship they have, must travel to Russia on valid Russian documents only.

  12. Traveller Registration (Highly Recommended)

    Stay informed and safe by having Visalink subscribe you to the Travel Advice Email Alerts of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade. Registration enables you to receive the most up-to-date travel advice regarding safety, security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. Visalink will register the email address provided in the order. To enroll in this optional service, add this option to your order within the order flow. (Note: the Australian Government does not levy a fee for this service).

Russia Visa

Don't know what a visa for Russia looks like?  You can view sample visa for Russia and see the information it contains.

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