Please send TDS your current valid and signed passport. It must not expire within 6 months of your departure from Russia and must have at least Two blank visa pages. If you do not have any blank visa pages in your passport, TDS can assist you in applying for additional pages If your passport expires within 6 months, you must renew your passport and then we will secure your visa with the new passport.

Please send 1 recent professional passport-type photograph.
Digital and non-passport photographs are not acceptable.

The photo must not be smaller than 1 3/4" x 1 3/4". The photo must have a white or gray background only

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.

Visa Invitation Letter

Original letter of invitation.

Your relatives or friends (Russian citizens) should provide you with an official letter of invitation bearing your personal data and registered with a local office of the Russian Interior Ministry (OVIR office). The Visa entitlement invitation (IZVESHENIYE) from the local OVIR in Russia. Your host must obtain this certificate for you and send the original invitation to you.
If a Double entry visa is required be sure to ask your relatives/friends to apply for a invitation good for a double entry. 

If you wish to visit your friends or relatives (foreign citizens) currently working or studying in Russia they should obtain an official letter of invitation from the Russian hosting organization (see Business Visa instructions).

Please note! If for some reason you would like to obtain a double-entry private visa (even if having your official invitation issued as a single-entry) you should submit a more detailed cover letter showing such a necessity.


Your host will need to know all of the following:
Your Full Name; Address;
Nationality;
Passport Number and Date of Birth;
Your Date of Arrival/Departure in Russia.
(The cost of OVIR application is about USD35. Allow 4-6 weeks for OVIR's approval).

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).

(Form must be filled in all capital letters)

Complete and Sign One application form

Please forward the completed requirements detailed above to:
TRAVEL DOCUMENT SYSTEMS, INC.,
3 Embarcadero Center
Lobby Level, Suite 2
San Francisco, Ca 94111

URGENT APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SHIPPED TO TDS USING ONLY THE FEDEX COMPANY

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

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.

The Russian visa is usually issued for a single entry, for the cities specifically mentioned on the invitation, and the specified dates up to a maximum of 90 days stay. The period of stay cannot be extended in Russia.

Register with US Embassy