Russian Visa Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide

Step-by-step instructions for completing the visa application form

1. Selecting parameters. Go to the website of the Consular Department of the MFA of Russia. On the main page, select the country where you will apply for your Russian visa and the language for the application form and tooltips.

   Carefully read the instructions and recommendations for completing the electronic application form. Then, check the box confirming you have read the information and click the "Complete new application form" button.

   Click on the photo to enlarge

2. Saving a draft. You do not have to complete the application form in one sitting. You can save a draft and finish it later; the form is stored for 30 days from the last save. To resume or edit your data, you must write down or save your application number. This number is required to access your form again. If you forget or lose it, you will have to start over.

   ATTENTION: If you pause for more than 20 minutes while filling out the application form, your session will time out. You will have to start over if you haven't saved a draft and recorded your application number.

   Create a password, and then, on the next screen, write down or print your application number before clicking "Next".

   Click on the photo to enlarge

3. Form assistant. If you purchased an invitation on our GoingRus website, you will find the necessary data to complete your application on the ready invitation page. Simply click the green "Show instruction" button on the right.

   Click on the photo to enlarge

4. Requested visa information. In this section, you must specify:

   • Nationality;
   • Whether you have ever held citizenship of Russia or a former USSR country;
   • "Purpose of visit" to Russia, and "Visa category and kind," exactly as stated in your invitation;
   • Number of entries, exactly as stated in your invitation;
   • Dates of journey, which must strictly match the dates in your invitation and insurance policy.
   Click on the photo to enlarge

5. Personal information. All personal data must be entered exactly as it appears in your passport!

   Provide your full given name(s), surname(s), sex, date of birth, place of birth, and marital status. You must also indicate whether you have ever had other registered names and whether you were born in Russia.

   Complete the form using Latin letters without diacritical marks, periods, commas, or tildes. For example, the Spanish letter Ñ must be entered as the Latin "N".

   Click on the photo to enlarge

6. Passport information. Enter your passport details:

   • Passport number;
   • Date of issue;
   • Date of expiry.
   Click on the photo to enlarge

7. Visit information. In the trip details section, you must specify the following information from your visa support documents:

   • Name of the travel company. In our example: LLC "OSTVEST.COM"
   • Company address. In our example: 195197, St. Petersburg, Polyustrovsky pr., 59, lit. F, prem. 1N, off. 408/1
   • Reference number. In our example: 009893
   • Confirmation number.

   Next, you need to provide your itinerary, specifically the cities you will visit. The itinerary is listed in your invitation. In our example:

   • St. Petersburg
   • Moscow

   Finally, you need to provide your insurance details:

   • Name of the insurance company. In our example: "AlfaStrakhovanie"
   • Policy number. In our example: SG – SPBPLT000891
   

   You can find this exact data in your invitation:

   Click on the photo to enlarge

8. Miscellaneous information. Provide additional information about yourself by answering all the questions. Be sure to select "Yes" for the question, "Has this application been completed by you personally?".

   Click on the photo to enlarge

9. Education and work experience. On the next page, answer the questions about your educational background and indicate whether you have held other jobs, excluding your current one.

   Click on the photo to enlarge

10. Previous visits. On the next page, provide information regarding previously issued visas to Russia and other countries.

    Click on the photo to enlarge

11. Personal contacts. Enter your personal and contact details, as well as information about your employer or educational institution. Only the fields marked with a red asterisk are mandatory.

    Click on the photo to enlarge

12. Appointment details. Finally, choose where you will submit your visa application. You can select between Russian Visa Centers and Consular Departments of the Russian Embassy.

    Click on the photo to enlarge

13. Summary. At the end, review the provided data. You can make changes by clicking the "Edit" button next to the relevant section. If all the information is correct, click "Save and submit".

    Click on the photo to enlarge

14. Printing the application form. On the next screen, you can download your completed application form in PDF format. Click the "Print A4 format" button, and once the file downloads, click "Exit".

    Click on the photo to enlarge

    In our example, the application form looks like the screenshot below. This printout displays most of the data you entered during the process.

    Click on the photo to enlarge

    Download a sample visa application form in PDF

Preparing your printed application form and paying the fees

Print the downloaded application form, date it, sign it, and securely attach a 3.5 × 4.5 cm color photo.

The photograph must have been taken within the last 6 months and strictly meet the following requirements:

• Size 3.5 × 4.5 cm, frameless, and free of spots or creases;
• The background must be light (white or light gray) so that facial features are clearly distinguishable;
• The photo must be in focus, clear, and of high quality;
• The entire face must be visible. Headgear is not permitted unless worn for religious beliefs or ethnic origins;
• The photograph must show the applicant from the shoulders up, with the face taking up 70–80% of the image;
• The eyes must be open and clearly visible, without a "red-eye" effect. If the applicant wears glasses, the frames must not cover the eyes, and the lenses must be glare-free. Photos with dark glasses are not permitted;
• The facial expression must be neutral (no smiling), with the head straight (not tilted) and facing directly into the camera lens.

Click on the photo to enlarge

If you are applying through a Russian Visa Center, you can pay by bank transfer (attach the proof of payment to your documents) or directly at the center in cash or by credit card. Please verify the exact payment details on the specific visa center's website.

If you apply at a Consular Department, you can pay by credit card or at a bank using a receipt issued by the Consulate.