To receive a tourist invitation to Russia, please indicate your citizenship. You will be provided with a registration form. Fill in all the fields carefully, then proceed to the next step to confirm and pay for your invitation.
Russia E-Visa vs Regular Visa: Which One Do You Need?
Both get you into Russia — but the price, paperwork, stay length and eligibility differ dramatically. Use this side-by-side comparison to choose in 2 minutes.
Last updated: July 2026
Side-by-side comparison
| Criteria | E-Visa | Regular Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Who is eligible | Citizens of 64 countries (EU, China, India, Japan, Turkey…) | All nationalities, incl. USA, UK, Canada, Australia |
| Invitation letter | Not required | Required (available from $19; sent after payment and data checks) |
| Consulate visit | No — 100% online | Yes (or visa center) |
| Cost | Current amount on the official portal | $19 tourist invitation + filing-office charges |
| Processing | No more than 4 calendar days | Published by the filing office |
| Maximum stay | Up to 30 days | As stated on the issued visa |
| Entries | Single | Single, double or multiple |
| Validity | 120 days from issue | As stated on the issued visa |
| Purposes | Tourism, business, guest, humanitarian | All incl. work, study, journalism |
| Entry points | Listed airports & checkpoints only | Any international checkpoint |
Choose the E-Visa if…
- Your nationality is on the eligible list
- Your trip is 30 days or shorter
- You enter once through a major airport or listed checkpoint
- You want zero paperwork and the lowest effort
Choose the Regular Visa if…
- You are a citizen of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia or another non-eligible country
- You need more than 30 days (tourist up to 6 months)
- You need multiple entries — e.g., business trips throughout the year
- You travel for work, long-term study or journalism
- Your border crossing is not on the e-visa list
A regular tourist-visa application may require a tourist invitation. The iVisa tourist service starts from $19; verify the required format with the filing office. Business service is limited to Schengen, U.S. and Japanese citizens.
Real traveller scenarios
German tourist, 10 days in Moscow & St. Petersburg
Germany is e-visa eligible, the trip is under 30 days, arrival at Sheremetyevo airport.
US citizen, 3-week tourist trip
The USA is not on the e-visa list, so a consular tourist visa with an invitation letter is the only option.
Indian businessman, 4 trips a year
India is e-visa eligible, but each e-visa is single-entry. For repeated travel, compare the permitted visa routes with the responsible filing office; the iVisa business-invitation service is not offered for Indian citizens.
French student, 2-month language course
60 days exceeds the 30-day e-visa cap, and study is not an e-visa purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Is the e-visa cheaper than the regular visa?
Compare the current amount shown on the official e-visa portal with the $19 iVisa tourist-invitation service and the charges published by your filing office. Price alone does not determine eligibility, entries or permitted stay.
Can I switch from an e-visa to a regular visa while in Russia?
No. Visas cannot be changed or extended inside Russia. Plan the right type before you travel.
Do both visa types need an invitation letter?
No. The e-visa requires no invitation at all. The regular visa always requires a visa invitation (visa support letter) — that is the document we issue online from $19.
Which is faster to get?
The official e-visa route is processed in no more than four calendar days. Regular-visa timing is published by the specific filing office; the tourist invitation is sent after payment and data checks.
I'm from the UK/USA — can I get an e-visa with a second passport?
Only if your second passport is from an eligible country and you travel on it. Otherwise you need the regular visa route with an invitation.
Need the regular visa? Start with the invitation
Tourist invitations for regular visa applications are available from $19 after payment and data checks. Verify the document format with the filing office; business service is limited to eligible citizenships.