Russian Visa Application (4 steps)

Russian Visa Application (4 steps)
This is a must read blogpost for everyone. Please take note.

Step 1 of 4. What is a Russian Visa?
A visa to the Russian Federation is a document, permitting stay in Russia for a specific period of time. A visa lists entry/exit dates, your vital information, passport details, and has two photos stapled to it. Please note, that your Russian visa is an exit permit just like it’s an entry permit: if you lose it or stay over your designated departure date, leaving the country could be more troublesome than entering it.

Requirements For Foreign Citizens To Enter Russia (Tourist Travel to Russia)
1. Passport must be valid 6 months beyond intended stay
2. Tickets and Documents for return or onward travel
3. Russian Visa is Required
4. Vaccination - None Required

Step 2 of 4. Choose your Visa Type.
Russian Tourist Visa
This visa type is issued to tourists who have booked accommodation in Russia for non-business reason. Tourist visas are issued for a maximum of 14-30 days (check with your local Russian Embassy or Consulate). A tourist visa is best when you know exactly where and how long you will be staying without diverting from your planned itinerary. For a tourist visa to Russia, you must have confirmed accommodations or transit information for every night of your stay in the country.
We will provide you with visa support invitation to satisfy this requirement and confirming your accommodations/itinerary. No hotel reservations or bookings are needed on your part.

Step 3 of 4. Ordering Official Russian Visa Support.
Tourist Visa Support
1. We need complete passport information and dates of visit to Russia
2. Invitation and voucher would be prepared same or next business day depending on your urgency and send to you by fax to any country in the world
3. To obtain your visa, present the invitation and voucher at a Russian Embassy or Consulate


Step 1 -3 ( in Moscow) Obtaining an invitation letter(Russian Tourist Visa Support). There are 2 ways of doing this.

Based on the facts that it is more convenient, time saving and reasonable price, we suggest to obtain the invitation letter through Intel Service. http://www.intelservice.ru/

Step 4 of 4.
To obtain Russian Tourist Visa Support Authorization (Official Visa Invitation and Voucher from Authorized Russian Travel Company)
CHANGES IN VISA REGULATIONS:
A foreign citizen can obtain a visa to Russia ONLY in the country of his/her citizenship. Exceptions include those who have a residence permit for a foreign country for the period more than 90 days. A visa may also be issued in a country other than an applicant's own in case of urgent necessity, such as participating in international, governmental, official, scientific, sport and cultural events. A final decision in these cases would be left up to the consulate
Russian Tourist Visa( Russian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur)
The following documents should be submited to the Russian Embassy or Consulate to obtain a Tourist Visa to enter Russia:
1. Your original passport with at least 2 blank visa-designated pages (passport must be valid for at least 6 months after intended departure date from Russia).
2. Two copies of Russian visa application form, completed and signed.
3. Two passport-size photos signed on the back.
4. If Tour Group or Cruise Passenger: Letter from tour company or cruise line confirming itinerary and including a copy of the confirmation from authorized Russian travel company which shows the reference number and confirmation number for the visa.
5. If Individual Travel: Confirmation of hotel arrangements from authorized Russian travel company, or directly from the Russian hotel, showing reference number and confirmation number for the visa.

Note: Effective April 15 1999 all tourist visa support should be presented on the new Russian Visa Support Confirmation Form.

Russian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur : http://kualalumpur.rusembassy.org/rusvisa.html#tourist

Payment for visa application
1. Double entry Visa :
a. express ( 1 working day) = RM 385
b. 3 working days = RM 295
c. 7 working days = RM 211
2. Single entry Visa : 7 days = RM 123

Information provided by Tan Ling Tze.