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Last updated on May 9, 2025
Wanna travel to Russia with Against the Compass?
Today, there is widespread misunderstanding regarding visas for entry to Russia, namely that since the Ukraine war started in 2022, Russia hasn’t been offering tourist visas to international visitors.
This assumption is not only false but, with the recent introduction of an e-visa, getting a visa for Russia is easier than ever.
This short guide will show you the different ways to get your visa for Russia.
Check our travel guide for Russia
In this Russian visa guide, you will find:
Our experience with the Russian visa
As you may know, Against the Compass offers group expeditions into remote locations within the Russian Federation.
In 2025 alone, we’ve guided guests from the following countries: USA, UK, Canada, Spain, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Poland, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Kuwait.
All of them managed to get their Russian visa without issues.
Don’t forget to check our upcoming expeditions to Russia:
- September 9th to 16th, 2025 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW
- September 18th to 24th, 2025 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
- November 16th to 22nd, 2025 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
- March 31st to April 6th, 2026 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
- April 14th to 21st, 2026 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW
How to apply for an electronic visa for Russia
In 2024, the Russian customs authorities made history by launching a user-friendly e-visa portal, allowing travelers to easily get their visa for Russia in just a few days.
Find the electronic visa portal at this link.
What’s the validity of the Russian e-visa?
This e-visa allows you to travel in Russia for up to 16 days.
Which countries are eligible for a Russian e-visa?
All EU and Schengen countries, as well as Bahrain, Cambodia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, North Macedonia, Oman, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey and Vietnam.
How long does it take to get approval?
Around 4 calendar days.
How much does the Russian e-visa cost?
It costs 52 USD.
Can I use the e-visa at any entry point?
With the e-visa, you can enter Russia via any of its international airports, however land border crossings are limited.
The electronic portal lists all valid entry points.
Read our travel guide to Chechnya
How to apply for a Russian visa at the embassy (the traditional way)
Applying for a Russian e-visa seems pretty convenient, but there are some cases in which you will have to get it at the embassy or consulate in your country of residence:
- If you’re planning to travel in Russia for more than 16 days
- If your country is not on the list of countries eligible for an e-visa. Unfortunately, this includes the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia
- If you want to get a multi-entry visa
Don’t worry, getting your Russian visa at the embassy is pretty easy.
Russian visa embassy requirements
1. Obtain a Letter of Invitation (LOI)
Important: Your visa will be only valid for the period stated in the LOI
The first thing you’ll need to have is an official Letter of Invitation (LOI), which can only be obtained through a valid tour operator in Russia.
You can easily purchase a Russian LOI online via iVisa Center, for example (they might also help you with the visa).
Alternatively, we can also provide a Letter of Invitation when joining any of our tours in Russia:
- September 9th to 16th, 2025 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW
- September 18th to 24th, 2025 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
- November 16th to 22nd, 2025 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
- March 31st to April 6th, 2026 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
- April 14th to 21st, 2026 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW
2. Fill out the visa application form
Once you’ve obtained your LOI, you can go ahead and complete the following online application form.
Keep in mind that the LOI is a must-have before completing this form, since they’ll be asking you for your sponsor details.
After submitting your form, you will have to print it out and bring it to the embassy.
3. Go to your respective consulate, embassy or Russian Visa Center
Fortunately, Russia has embassies in pretty much every country, all of them fully operational, including those in the USA, Canada, the UK and anywhere across Europe.
Some embassies require an appointment, while others don’t. Moreover, some prefer to delegate all visa services to their respective Russian Visa Center, while others require travelers to go to the actual embassy.
Either way, look for your Russian Embassy website to check their specific requirements.
These are the most common requirements:
- Printed copy of your Letter of Invitation
- Printed copy of your Visa application form
- Passport
- 2 passport photos
- Valid travel insurance for traveling in Russia. We recommend Alfa Strakhovanie, InterMundial (website in Spanish) or Auras.
How much does the visa for Russia cost?
The price varies from embassy to embassy but at the Russian Consulate of Barcelona:
- Single entry non-urgent visa: €120
- Single entry urgent visa: €195
- Multi-entry visa (6-month validity): €250
How long does it take for the visa to be issued?
1 – 3 weeks, depending on your visa type.
Tips on how to apply for a Russian visa as an American
Applying for a visa for Russia as an American isn’t very different to other nationalities, but it presents certain particularities.
For example, as an American, you can only apply for a 3-year multiple entry visa – that’s the only option you will be eligible for.
Russia is huge, so this is a great advantage if you plan to visit Russia multiple times
This is a great advantage over other passports, but it doesn’t come without its own costs, which is that they charge a 500 USD fee.
How to get your appointment at the Russian Embassy in the USA
After getting your Letter of Invitation and filling out the online form, make an appointment with any of the following consulates:
After submitting your documents to the embassy, expect to receive your visa within 2-3 weeks.
I live far away from those cities. Can I apply via ordinary mail?
Yes, you can.
If you can’t go to the embassy in person, be aware that they also accept applications via ordinary mail.
The whole process takes around 4 weeks.
Tips on how to apply for a Russian visa as a British citizen
British citizens can only apply for their visa in person. However, visa collection can be done by postal service.
After securing your Letter of Invitation and filling out the online form, you’ll have to book an appointment with your nearest embassy:
- Click here to book your appointment with the Embassy in London
- Click here to book your appointment with the Consulate in Edinburgh
Allow 1 – 4 weeks to get your visa, depending on whether you choose the standard or express service.
Tips on how to apply for a Russian visa as a Canadian citizen
A visa for Russia can only be applied for in person.
After getting your Letter of Invitation and filling out the online form, you’ll have to book an appointment with your nearest embassy:
More information
📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.
All guides and articles for traveling in Russia destination
Travel guides to former Soviet countries
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