Foreigners visiting Russia need a visa, which can take weeks to obtain. Transit, tourist, and work visas are available, with sponsors required for all. Registration and an HIV test are also necessary. Overstaying or losing documents can result in fines or imprisonment.
All foreigners visiting Russia require a visa. Visa requirements are very strict and it may take several weeks for the paperwork to be completed. Although a visitor can apply for a Russian visa at the nearest embassy, documents must be approved by the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Department of Passports and Visas (UVIR) before an official visa can be issued.
Before organizing your trip, it is important to choose the right Russian visa. The most common types of Russian visas are transit, tourist and residence visas. Foreigners who are in Russia for even a few hours need a transit visa to avoid delays and complications. Tourist visas can be the easiest to obtain, as they are usually handled by travel companies on behalf of the traveller. However, a tourist visa must specify each city to be visited and the length of time the visa holder will be spending there.
Work visas are, surprisingly, the easiest to obtain. Once a company has signed a contract with you, they are in charge of obtaining the preliminary documents, which can take up to twenty days. Once you receive the approved invitation, you can go to the Embassy to get the Russian visa. Travelers planning to stay in Russia for more than a month must also take an HIV test and provide proof of medical insurance before a Russian visa is issued.
A Russian visa must be sponsored. This means that someone in Russia has to invite the foreigner to visit the country. The sponsor can be a tour group, a family member or an employer. The person or entity issuing the invitation is also responsible for registering the foreigner with the local authorities once he arrives in Russia. Registration must be completed within three days of arrival; in some cases, such as one-year work visas, the process can take up to six weeks.
An exit visa is required to leave Russia. This is usually issued automatically but can be canceled due to irregularities, so it’s always a good idea to check its validity before travelling. Overstaying a Russian visa is a serious problem and can lead to stiff fines and even imprisonment. Losing your passport, immigration card or Russian visa can also become a serious problem, so make sure you keep these documents in a safe place. Carry photocopies with you whenever possible.
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