Visa to Russia – detailed information

Most foreign citizens require an entry visa to travel to Russia. To obtain a tourist visa you need to submit an application to the Russian consulate or visa centre in your country. A visa can only be issued once you have an official invitation (also called a tourist voucher) from an accredited Russian tour operator.

The tour operator Biblio‑Globus is officially authorised by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation to issue tourist vouchers for visa processing. With a voucher, you can apply for a tourist visa through the Russian consulate.

Documents required for a Russian tourist visa

  • Valid passport;
  • Tourist invitation (voucher) issued by Biblio‑Globus;
  • Completed visa application form (available on the official website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs);
  • Medical insurance policy with minimum coverage of at least 30 000 € valid across the Russian Federation for the entire visa period;
  • Two recent photos and payment of the consular fee.

Fill out the online visa application on the official portal of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at website. Enter your invitation details and personal data exactly as in your passport. If you need visa support, please leave a comment in the Personal Account section of your booking application.

Electronic visas

Citizens of a number of countries may apply for an electronic visa (e‑visa) to enter Russia through specific border checkpoints. An e‑visa is issued in electronic form by the Consular Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and allows entry for tourism, business, private visits and participation in events.

  • The e‑visa is single‑entry;
  • Validity period: 60 days;
  • Permitted stay in Russia: up to 16 days;
  • Processing time: 4 calendar days.

To apply for an e‑visa, fill out the form on the official portal website. Submission of the application and tracking of its status are available only through your Personal Account on the website or mobile app of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Register a Personal Account if you have not done so already.

What you need to apply for an e‑visa

  • An internet browser with JavaScript enabled (or the official mobile app). Supported browsers include Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge;
  • Software for viewing and printing PDF files – Adobe Acrobat Reader is recommended;
  • Your national passport that you will present at the border checkpoint;
  • A digital photograph of the passport’s data page in JPEG format;
  • A digital photograph of your face in JPEG format that meets the official requirements;
  • A bank card to pay the consular fee.

Photo requirements for visa applications

The photograph must be taken within the last six months and reflect your current appearance. Only you should be visible in the photo; foreign objects and other people must not be in the frame. Take the photo strictly facing forward, with a neutral expression, closed mouth and eyes looking straight at the camera. Hair should not cover your eyes.

Use normal lighting without shadows, flash reflections or red‑eye. The background should be light, plain and without shadows. You may wear headwear for religious reasons, provided it does not cover the oval of your face. Glasses are allowed if your eyes are clearly visible; avoid tinted lenses or large frames. The photo must be sharp, with natural skin tones and no borders. The image should be in a 35×45 mm (width×height) rectangular ratio, showing the top of your head and the upper part of your shoulders; the face should occupy 70–80 % of the frame.

You can track the status of your visa application through your Personal Account on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or in the official mobile app.