Americans don’t often travel to Russia.
I will be traveling to Saint Petersburg and Moscow next week.
When I first started looking into visiting Russia, many rumors hit me. Some good, some bad.
Some of the questions I want to find answers to are:
(1) Can Russians speak English?
(2) is Moscow one of the most expensive cities in the world?
(3) Is it true Russians never smile?
(4) Do Russian people like American people?
(5) Are Russian girls are the most attractive girls in the world?
(6) Is the Russian Visa process is complicated?
Is it Hard to Get a Russian Visa?
I can answer #6 for you right now.
One of the top reasons Americans don’t travel to Russia is that the visa process is difficult and expensive.
If you don’t know, a visa is an additional document in addition to your passport that you must have to enter some countries.
Fortunately, Americans don’t need a visa to go to most places. Moreover, where Americans need a visa, you can usually get it when you arrive at the airport.
Not with Russia!
The Russian Visa Process is Expensive.
First, the Russian visa process is expensive. As of 2019.
The Invitation document cost: $30.00
A single entry Tourist visa cost: $160.00.
Third-party processing payment: $90.00
Cost for photos: $10.00
I suggest you use a third-party service to perform the visa application for you. I used Invisa Logistics.*
*Apparently, Invisa Logistics has a special relationship with the Russian Embassy.
There are a lot of moving parts in the Russian Visa Process
Two Blank Pages in Your Passport
If you do a lot of traveling, make sure you have at least two blank pages left in your passport before applying for a Russian visa.
Six Months Left on Your Passport
I think most passports are good for ten years. Be sure your passport doesn’t expire within six months after your planned visit to Russia.
The Invitation Letter
You must first get a Russian invitation letter before applying for a visa. Companies online that do the invitation letter, and you get it almost immediately after you fill out all the required information.
You will get an invitation number that you will need for the actual visa application.
I used: Russible Visa Support
Tip: You don’t need to show a plane ticket or hotel confirmation, but you do have to put down where you are staying.
Time to Fill Out Actual Visa Application
When filling out the actual visa application, grab a cup of coffee and relax because it will take a while.
I would set aside at least an hour.
List the Countries You’ve Visited
You will spend the majority of your time listing all the countries you’ve ever visited. You will need to document when and where you went.
List all the Jobs You’ve Had
You will need to list all of your old jobs, bosses, addresses, and telephone numbers and how long you worked at each place.
Everything Else
All other information is pretty straightforward biological information.
Tip: Remember to write dates in the European day/month/year format
Two Photos
You must send two (2) photos of yourself in the proper passport format. (Russian format)
The photo size must be 35mm X 45mm.*
*Tip: If you go to your local Walgreens or CVS, their photo department will have the Russian size setting.
The photos must be taken within the last six months.
You must be facing forward, eyes open, no glasses, and no hats when you take the photo.
Timeline
Get your photos, your application, your invitation letter, your passport, and Invisa Logistics work order documents and send them all to Invisa Logistics.
I got my passport back along with a Russian visa stamp in about three weeks.
The process went smoothly.
If you want a more in-depth explanation, go to this YouTube video. This is how I learned.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments.
