Russian Multiple Entry Visa

What is the Russian multiple entry visa?

The Russian multiple entry visa is a type of business visa that entitles its owner to cross the border of Russia an unlimited number of times during its validity period. This type of visa is most convenient for foreign businessmen who often come to Russia for commercial purposes (development or establishment of new business relations, conclusion or extension of contracts, participation in exhibitions and auctions, seminars, etc.)

Before you apply for such a visa, we recommend that you get acquainted with the following information:

1. Validity period of a multiple entry visa;
2. Russian multiple entry visa processing;
3. Multiple entry visas for citizens of the European Union and the United States;
4. Requirements for obtaining a multiple entry visa;
5. How to issue an invitation for a multiple entry visa;

How to get a visa to Russia?

In general, the processes of issuing visas of various types are very similar to each other, but each type of visa requires its own nuances in processing.

Validity period of a multiple entry visa

Business multiple entry visa to Russia may suggest the following validity periods:

• 90 days;
• 180 days;
• 365 days;
• 3 years (for US citizens);
• 5 years (for EU citizens).

Russian multiple entry visa processing

In order to successfully obtain a business multiple entry visa, you need to apply to the Russian consulate or embassy. There, a foreign citizen will need to fill in the application form, pay a consular fee and provide an invitation to Russia, which must be issued by the inviting party in advance. Citizens of migration risk countries, in addition to the above-mentioned package of documents, undertake to attach a letter of guarantee drawn up by the inviting party. In addition, an authorized employee of the consulate or embassy may require other documents. A complete list of required documents is available on the consulate website.

Multiple entry visas for citizens of the European Union and the United States

Under the agreement on simplifying the visa regime between the Russian Federation and the United States, American citizens can apply for the Russian multiple entry visa for 3 years, and citizens of the European Union - for 5 years. However, a visa for such a long period can be issued only for the category of citizens who had previously received the Russian multi-entry visa for 1 year and had not violated the legislation of the Russian Federation during their previous visits. Also, in some cases, consular representatives may refuse to issue a visa or issue a visa with a validity period that is less than requested (for example, six months instead of one year).

Requirements for obtaining a multiple entry visa

According to the Russian legislation, the validity period of the international passport should be at least six months longer than the validity period of the visa. Otherwise, the visa may be issued for a fixed number of days, which is calculated depending on the passport validity. If the passport validity is expiring, then 180 days will be taken away from the passport validity period in the course of processing a multiple entry visa at the consulate. The remaining number of days will be the validity period of the issued multiple entry visa.

An invitation for the Russian multiple entry visa can only be issued by legal entities that have registration in Russia and are accredited by the Directorate of the Federal Migration Service or the Department of Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Its form will depend on the way of multiple entry visa processing. An invitation for a business multiple entry visa to Russia can be issued on the form of the Directorate of the Federal Migration Service, on the official form of an accredited organization or via telex communication.

After a foreign citizen receives a business multi-entry visa and arrives in Russia, he/she will need to complete migration registration within 1 week from the date of arrival. Since according to the law, a foreigner who came to Russia on a business visa does not have the right to stay there longer than 90 days, migration registration is made for a period of 90 days.

If a foreigner who has applied for a business multi-entry visa is planning to arrive in Russia together with his/her relatives (with a spouse, a daughter or a son), they also need to get a business visa, where in the column “Purpose of the trip” they will be given the status of “Accompanying family member”.

How to issue an invitation for a multiple entry visa

If you need to issue an invitation to get a business multi-entry visa to Russia, our company can help you with this. To issue an invitation in accordance with all laws of the Russian Federation, you will need to provide:

• Filled invitation application form (in electronic form);
• A photocopy of your international passport;
• A photocopy of a previous visa to Russia (if available);
• A photocopy of the residence permit in the country of the visa application (for the category of citizens who do not live in the country of their citizenship);
• The birth certificate of your child (for the category of citizens who are planning to visit Russia with their minor children);

The cost of the invitation will directly depend on the validity period of the requested visa, as well as a number of other factors.

Model forms of documents for visa application

In order to successfully obtain a Russian visa, a foreign citizen needs to know how to fill in the necessary documentation properly. Correctly filled documents can be a decisive factor in the issue of obtaining a visa or also in case of a refusal. There are several types of basic documentation, which is intended for various purposes of the arrival of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation.