Visas to Russia
♦ The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly advises against travel to Russia.
♦ The visa type must correspond to the purpose of travel to Russia.
♦ Entry and stay conditions may change without prior notice. Viisa OÜ is not responsible for the accuracy of the information or for any consequences resulting from its use.
Who needs a visa?
For Estonian citizens
A visa must be obtained before the trip.
For stateless persons
You may stay without a visa for no more than 90 days per year.
For citizens of Ukraine
Up to 90 days without a visa.
For EU citizens
Please check with our consultants.
Need an electronic visa to Russia?
We have moved all information about electronic visas to a separate page for your convenience.
The visa processing time is 4–5 working days after payment is received. Price — 98 euros.
Visa prices
Electronic visa for 30 days
For private and business trips, as well as for participation in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic and sports events.
Private visa for 1 year
For trips to close relatives. Multiple-entry visa with the possibility to stay in the Russian Federation for up to 365 days per year.
Private visa for 90 days
For trips to relatives or friends.
Single-entry — 190 € / Double-entry — 240 €
Business visa up to 365 days
For business trips, negotiations, meetings and other business purposes.
View all prices and detailed comments
| Visa type | Price | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Private. Single-entry visa for 90 days | 190 € | An invitation issued through “Gosuslugi” is required (from friends, acquaintances or relatives). |
| Private. Double-entry visa for 90 days | 240 € | An invitation issued through “Gosuslugi” is required (from friends, acquaintances or relatives). |
| Private. Multiple-entry visa for 1 year | 350 € | Issued upon presentation of an application from a close relative who is a citizen of the Russian Federation. |
| Business. Multiple-entry visa for 1 year | 435 € | For business trips. The passport must contain a visa from the last year with border crossing stamps. |
| Business. Multiple-entry visa for 1 year without previous visas | 545 € | For business trips. Suitable if there were no required previous visas. |
| Business. Multiple-entry visa for 2 years | 515 € | For business trips. The passport must contain a 2-year visa (or two consecutive annual visas) with travel stamps. Expiry date — not more than 1 year ago. |
| Business. Multiple-entry visa for 2 years without previous visas | 685 € | For business trips. Suitable if there were no required previous visas. |
| Business. Multiple-entry visa for 3 years | 605 € | For business trips. The passport must contain a 3-year visa (or a 2+1 combination, or three consecutive annual visas) with travel stamps. Expiry date — not more than 1 year ago. |
| Business. Multiple-entry visa for 3 years without previous visas | 855 € | For business trips. Suitable if there were no required previous visas. |
| Study. Single-entry visa for 90 days | 190 € | Issued upon presentation of an invitation and the required set of documents. |
| Resettlement. Multiple-entry for 1 year | 350 € | Issued upon presentation of a consular decision on acceptance into the resettlement programme. |
| Photo 35 × 45 mm | 5 € | If necessary, the photo can be taken at our office. |
Processing times
Usually 5 working days.
Usually 2–3 weeks.
Usually 4–5 working days.
Visa application process
Preparation
Prepare the documents according to our list (see below).
Application
Submit the required documents to our visa centre.
Result
We will notify you when the visa is ready. Documents can also be received via parcel locker.
Required documents
1. For a private visa up to 90 days
- Passport valid for at least 6 months after the visa expiry date.
- Copy of the invitation from a citizen of the Russian Federation issued through the “Gosuslugi” system.
- Copy of the inviter’s passport.
Prepared at our visa centre when applying: - Photograph 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
- Medical insurance policy valid in the Russian Federation.
2. For a private visa up to 365 days
A visa is issued only if there is an application from a close relative who is a citizen of Russia. The invitation may be from a spouse, son, daughter, mother, father, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, grandson/granddaughter, or from the mother/father of your spouse.
a) If your relative lives in Estonia (you must come to our visa centre together with him/her)
- Your passport valid for at least 6 months after the visa expiry date.
- Originals or notarised copies of documents proving your relationship.
- Copy of the inviter’s passport (a copy can be made at our visa centre).
- Original certificate confirming the absence of HIV infection. The certificate is required only if you are invited by a brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, grandson, granddaughter or one of your spouse’s parents and you are over 18 years old. If you are invited by a spouse, father, mother, son or daughter, the certificate is not required. If you are under 18 years old, the certificate is not required.
Prepared at our visa centre when applying: - Application from the Russian citizen.
- Photograph 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
- Medical insurance policy valid in the Russian Federation.
b) If your relative lives in Russia (you can apply without his/her personal presence)
- Your passport valid for at least 6 months after the visa expiry date.
- Original notarised application from a citizen of the Russian Federation. A sample invitation can be obtained at our visa centre or by email.
- Originals or notarised copies of documents proving your relationship.
- Copy of the inviter’s passport.
- Original certificate confirming the absence of HIV infection. The certificate is required only if you are invited by a brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, grandson, granddaughter or one of your spouse’s parents and you are over 18 years old. If you are invited by a spouse, father, mother, son or daughter, the certificate is not required. If you are under 18 years old, the certificate is not required.
Prepared at our visa centre when applying: - Photograph 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
- Medical insurance policy valid in the Russian Federation.
3. For a business visa
- Passport valid for at least 6 months after the visa expiry date.
- Colour copy of the invitation from business partners in Russia, issued on the company’s official letterhead or through the “Gosuslugi” system. A sample invitation issued on official company letterhead can be obtained at our visa centre or by email.
- Copies of previous visas and entry stamps to Russia (if any). If they are in another passport, a copy of the second passport must also be provided (copies can be made at our visa centre).
Prepared at our visa centre when applying: - Photograph 3.5 × 4.5 cm.
- Medical insurance policy valid in the Russian Federation.
4. For an electronic visa
An electronic visa can be arranged both at our visa centre and remotely. To apply at the visa centre, please bring your passport and come to our visa centre to fill in the application form. For remote application, the following is required:
- Completed application form. The application form is available at this link.
After completing the application form, please send the following by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: - A copy of the passport (the page with passport details and your photo).
- A digital colour photo of your face on a white background without shadows on the face or in the background. The photo can be taken with the rear camera of a mobile phone.
5. Additional documents and special cases
- Additional documents may be required for minors, for example a birth certificate.
- For trips based on family relationship, supporting documents may be required.
- The exact list of documents depends on citizenship, visa type and purpose of the trip.
- Private visas. Documents proving family relationship. If the surname or first name was changed not due to marriage, an additional certificate translated into Russian and notarised must be provided. If the spelling of the name or surname in the passport differs from that in the birth or marriage certificate, the original extract from the population register must be provided; a translation into Russian may also be required.
- Private visas. Apostille for documents. Documents proving family relationship and issued by Estonian state authorities after 18.03.2025 must be apostilled.
Why clients choose us
Frequently asked questions
No, an appointment is not required. Please check the visa centre opening hours and come at a convenient time.
Yes, you can arrange an insurance policy separately. Please visit our visa centre or send us an email.
The decision to issue a visa is made by the consulate, so we cannot guarantee visa issuance 100%. On our side, we will prepare the documents as carefully as possible and submit them to the consulate, but the final decision remains with the consular department.
Yes, this is possible. Payment can be made either in cash or by bank transfer on the basis of the invoice issued by us.
General information about travelling to Russia
Prepare for entry
Before your trip, make sure you have all the necessary documents: a valid passport, visa, medical insurance and proof of the purpose of your trip (for example, an invitation or booking). Border officials may ask additional questions, so it is better to keep the documents at hand.
Migration card and registration
Upon entering Russia, you will receive a migration card — it must be kept until departure from the country. Within seven working days, registration at the place of stay must be arranged (usually by the receiving party or hotel).
Currency and payment methods
The currency in Russia is the Russian rouble (RUB). Foreign bank cards, including Visa and Mastercard issued outside Russia, may not work. It is recommended to have cash or check available payment methods in advance. Export of euros to Russia is restricted — take only the minimum necessary amount. You may bring US dollars and roubles. If the amount exceeds 10,000 USD, a customs declaration must be completed.
Mobile communication and internet
For convenience, you can purchase a local SIM card. This allows you to use mobile internet, navigation and messengers without restrictions. In large cities, operators with good coverage are available. When arranging a SIM card, proof of identity and a notarised translation of the passport may be required.
Transport and getting around
Public transport is well developed in large cities: metro, buses and taxis. For travel, it is convenient to use mobile applications for ordering taxis and navigation. Trains and domestic flights are available between cities.
Language and communication
The official language is Russian. In tourist areas, many people speak English, but in everyday situations knowledge of basic phrases or using a translator can be helpful.
Rules of conduct and safety
Observe local laws and regulations. Always carry your documents or copies of them with you. In general, large cities are safe, but as in any country, normal precautions should be taken.
Climate and clothing
The weather in Russia depends greatly on the region and the season. Winters can be very cold, summers can be hot. It is recommended to check the forecast in advance and choose appropriate clothing.
Useful tips
It is recommended to save the contact details of your country’s embassy and keep your accommodation address with you. It is also useful to download offline maps and important applications in advance.
Still have questions?
Contact us! We will be happy to help you.