St Petersburg Hostel: CubaHostel Backpackers Russia

ABOUT US
FACILITIES
PRICES
DIRECTIONS
PHOTOS
RESERVATIONS
VISA SUPPORT
LINKS

Russian Tourist Visa requirements:

1. A valid passport with at least one blank page (for the visa), the expiration date should be not earlier than 3 months after your visa validity ends. Sometimes you may be required to present two photocopies of your passport (copy all the most important pages of the passport -- showing your name, birth date, photo, passport number, expiration date).

2. Russian visa application form completed and signed (it's available in a Russian consulate for free)

3. Three passport-type photographs (make sure you have no glasses and hats on).

4. For individual travelers: (also called "visa support" or "tourist voucher and tourist reservation confirmation" issued by a Russian travel agency authorized in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), or directly from a Russian hotel, showing the reference number of the company in the MFA and the confirmation number for the visa

5. Shengen countries, Estonian, and Israeli citizens need to present an insurance valid in Russia (usually already included on your credit card policy).

6. French citizens sometimes are also requited to present bank statements for the last 3 months and a copy of their return tickets (as well as insurance, as above).

Most Russian consulates do not require originals of the invitation papers: a fax or a scanned copy (sent to you via e-mail) is enough. Only the consulates in Switzerland, Sweden and sometimes in Germany ask for originals. Also note that a consulate has the right to request the originals of the papers, if they need them.