Unified e-visa
U.S. passport holders are not included in the unified e-visa programme and should follow the regular visa procedure.
United StatesOfficial sources reviewed September 4, 2026
Russian Visa for U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens need a regular Russian visa before travel because the United States is not on the current unified e-visa list. A tourist application uses a voucher from a registered Russian hotel or tour operator. U.S. mission guidance also describes a multiple-entry tourist visa valid for up to three years, but the consular authority decides the visa actually issued.
Visa guidance reviewed September 4, 2026. Official government sources are linked below.
Step 1. Choose your citizenship to start
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.
Quick answer
U.S. citizens need a regular Russian visa before travel because the United States is not on the current unified e-visa list. A tourist application uses a voucher from a registered Russian hotel or tour operator. U.S. mission guidance also describes a multiple-entry tourist visa valid for up to three years, but the consular authority decides the visa actually issued.
Choose the correct Russia entry route
An e-visa and a regular tourist visa are different procedures. Order an invitation only when the regular tourist visa route requires it.
Regular tourist visa
The current Washington tourist-visa checklist includes a passport, printed and signed application, tourist voucher, photo and the locally specified payment. It does not list medical insurance as a standard document for U.S. citizens. Follow the receiving mission's current checklist.
A tourist voucher is required as the invitation for a regular tourist visa. Single/double tourist visas may be issued for up to 30 days; the Embassy publishes a separate three-year multiple-entry option for U.S. citizens.
Order a tourist invitation for American citizensRegular tourist visa: document roles
Visa application documents
The current Washington tourist-visa checklist includes a passport, printed and signed application, tourist voucher, photo and the locally specified payment. It does not list medical insurance as a standard document for U.S. citizens. Follow the receiving mission's current checklist.
Tourist invitation
A tourist voucher is required as the invitation for a regular tourist visa. Single/double tourist visas may be issued for up to 30 days; the Embassy publishes a separate three-year multiple-entry option for U.S. citizens.
Where to submit
Choose between Washington, New York and Houston before finalizing the application. Washington begins with preliminary document review by email; New York publishes an appointment route and its current U.S.-citizen fee schedule; Houston accepts in-person filing by the applicant or a legal representative and says visa applications are not accepted by mail. Each post controls its own current submission, payment and passport-return procedure.
How the regular tourist visa process works
1
Confirm the entry route
Check whether the unified e-visa fits your trip. If not, follow the regular tourist visa procedure.
2
Prepare the tourist invitation
For a regular tourist visa, obtain the voucher and confirmation using exactly the same passport and travel data.
3
Complete the official application
Fill in the Russian MFA visa application and prepare the documents listed by the responsible embassy, consulate or visa centre.
4
Follow the local submission instructions
Choose between Washington, New York and Houston before finalizing the application. Washington begins with preliminary document review by email; New York publishes an appointment route and its current U.S.-citizen fee schedule; Houston accepts in-person filing by the applicant or a legal representative and says visa applications are not accepted by mail. Each post controls its own current submission, payment and passport-return procedure.
5
Wait for the consular decision
The invitation provider does not issue the visa. The Russian consular authority reviews the complete application and makes the decision.
Visa routes beyond tourism
Use a visa category that matches the actual purpose of travel. A tourist invitation cannot replace an employer, university, family or organization sponsor.
Business visa
Business invitation service is available for eligible American citizens. The visa application remains subject to consular review.
Business invitation for eligible American citizensWork, study and private visits
Work visas require employer-sponsored documents, student visas require an educational institution, and private visas use the applicable host procedure. Do not order a tourist invitation for those purposes.
Where to submit your Russian visa application
After preparing your tourist voucher and application, choose the city where you will file. Each page explains the confirmed local submission route and links to the official source.
Country-specific preparation guides
Three-year multiple-entry tourist visa for U.S. citizens
Understand the U.S.-specific validity request, voucher role and stay limit.
Russian tourist-visa documents for U.S. citizens
Prepare the mission-listed passport, form, photo and voucher.
Complete the Russian visa form as a U.S. citizen
Keep the requested dates and host details consistent with the voucher.
How long a Russian invitation takes for U.S. citizens
Separate invitation preparation from appointment and consular stages.
Russian visa invitation sample for U.S. citizens
Check passport data, dates and host information.
Tourist voucher vs support letter for U.S. citizens
Understand the document requested as tourist visa support.
Understand and check the invitation documents
Tourist voucher vs visa support letterView a Russian invitation sampleCheck an invitation before filing
Market-specific visa guides
Official sources
Visa procedures can change. Check the responsible Russian diplomatic mission before filing.