Country Visas Shortcuts
U.S. Passport Services
1. Select Visa Type
2. Select Office/State
3a. Check Requirements
3b. Fill & Print Application
4. Fill Online Order Form
REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS TO OBTAIN A VISA TO ENTER RUSSIA
Passport
Please send TDS your current valid and signed passport. It must not expire within 3 months of your departure from Russia and must have at least Two blank visa pages. If you do not have Two blank visa pages in your passport, TDS can assist you in applying for additional pages If your passport expires within 3 months of your departure from Russia, you must renew your passport and then we will secure your visa with the new passport.
Photo
Please send 1 recent professional passport-type photograph.
Digital and non-passport photographs are not acceptable.
Please do not attach the Photo to the visa application, TDS will do this for you.
Proof of Departure
Please send a copy of your round trip airline tickets, or itinerary or e-ticket, or letter of confirmation from a travel agent. The itinerary must show the applicant's name, date of arrival and departure from the country, and flight information. The Embassy does not recommend purchasing your ticket prior to a visa being issued.
Letter of Invitation
An official letter of invitation from your hosting organization registered with the Russian Ministry of the Interior.
A scan or legible copy of your official letter of invitation is required. Please note that the Embassy reserves the right to request the original invitation at any point of your visa processing time.
LET TDS HELP
TDS can assist in obtaining your letter of invitation in a timely fashion. To request this service, please print and complete the following Invitation Order Form . This will better help a representative at TDS, give you the most accurate and best dates for your travel. Please include the order form, along with your completed documents. Your visa processing will start the day after your invitation has been issued and received by TDS.
Note: A copy of the Letter of Invitation should be carried with your passport and visa.
Religious Visa
Cover Letter
Completed Cover Letter form (This form prints in ADOBE PDF format, on TDS letterhead and addressed to the "Embassy of the Russian Federation).
TDS Service Fee
| Type | Price | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | $50.00 | 6-10 Business Days |
| Rush | $75.00 | 3-4 Business Days |
Consular Fees
| Type | Entry | Price | Period of stay | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | Single | $131.00 | Up to 90 Days | 6-10 Business Days |
| Regular | Double | $131.00 | Up to 90 Days | 6-10 Business Days |
| Regular | Multiple | $150.00 | Up to 365 Days | 6-10 Business Days |
| Rush | Single | $250.00 | Up to 90 Days | 3-4 Business Days |
| Rush | Double | $250.00 | Up to 90 Days | 3-4 Business Days |
| Rush | Multiple | $450.00 | Up to 365 Days | 3-4 Business Days |
Note: The processing times above are estimates only and may be extended by the Embassy without notice during busy periods.
Application Form
(Form must be filled in all capital letters)
Complete and Sign One application form
Shipping Address
Please forward the completed requirements detailed above to:
TRAVEL DOCUMENT SYSTEMS, INC.,
925 Fifteenth Street N.W. Suite 300
Washington D.C. 20005
URGENT APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SHIPPED TO TDS USING ONLY THE FEDEX COMPANY
FedEx Fees
| FedEx Return Shipping |  |
|---|---|
| Continental USA Only | Price |
| Next Business Day - up to 3 passports | $23.00 |
| Next Business Day - 4 or more passports | $26.00 |
| Saturday Delivery | $39.00 |
| Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, USVI | Price |
| Next Day Letter (No Saturday Delivery) | $39.00 |
| International | Price |
| Call for a quote. | Call. |
Additional Helpful Information
Review Application form for Common Problems:
Question 1-7 must be answered by all applicants
Question 8 is to be answered if you knowwhat kind of visa you're requesting
Question 12 is to be answered if you've already visited Russia
Question 15 is to be answered if you have Medical Insurance valid in Russia. You should put the policy number and insurance company name.
Question 16 is to be answered if you are traveling with children included in your passport. A child having their own passport must apply for a visa separately.
Question 18-21 must be answered by all applicants
Your Hosting company or organization in Russian must request your letter of invitation through the Russian Ministry of Interior or Authorized Russian issuing agency appointed by the Russian Government.
Your visa will reflect the dates as well as number of entries specified on your letter of invitation.
The invitation must bear an official signed seal of the authorized issuing Ministry of the Russian Government.
The invitation must be from a Russian company or organization and not from a representation office of a foreign company there. Please make sure that your inviting company is duly registered in Russia and is not a 100% foreign investment company. Travelers name and the name of the inviting organization must be clearly stated on the invitation as well as the dates of your visit and cities to be visited. Handwritten invitations or those which appear to have been altered in any way are not accepted.
If the visa support/invitation has been sent by the Ministry of Interior directly to the Russian Consular office in Washington DC by Telex, please note that no processing begins on the application until the Embassy confirms receipt.
It is recommended that you carry copies of your visa support with you to Russia.
You must register your visa at a local OVIR or Police Station within 72 hours of arrival in Russia.
Register with U.S. Embassy
Register with US Embassy
