Invitation Letter (LOI)
An Invitation Letter (Letter of Invitation, LOI) is a mandatory document for obtaining a Russian visa. It is issued by the hosting party: a hotel (tourist), a company through the MFA (business), or a private individual through the migration office (private). An electronic tourist invitation can be obtained online in 5 minutes.
In Detail
A Russian Invitation Letter (LOI) is the first and most critical document in the visa application process. Without it, the consulate will not accept your visa application. There are three types of invitation letters: tourist (issued by an accredited hotel or tour operator), business (processed through the Russian MFA by the inviting company), and private (arranged by a Russian citizen through the GUVM MVD migration office). The tourist invitation is the fastest option: an electronic document can be obtained online in just 5 minutes and is accepted by all Russian consulates worldwide. A business invitation takes longer (5–21 business days) but allows you to obtain a visa valid for up to 1 year with multiple entries. A private invitation requires the Russian citizen to visit the GUVM MVD office in person and takes 2–4 weeks to process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Russian invitation letter cost?
An electronic tourist invitation starts from $16 and is issued in 5 minutes. A business invitation starts from $150 and takes 5–21 business days.
Order invitation letter →What type of invitation letter do I need?
For tourism — a tourist invitation (fastest option). For business trips and conferences — a business invitation. For visiting relatives or friends — a private invitation.
Learn more in FAQ →Do all Russian consulates accept electronic invitations?
Yes, electronic tourist invitations are accepted by all Russian consulates worldwide. They have the same legal validity as paper invitations.
Get invitation online →