By Joan Torres Leave a comment Last updated on May 8, 2025

Wanna travel to Russia with Against the Compass?

Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Russia on:

September 9th to 16th, 2025 (Russian Caucasus) – APPLY NOW

Sept 18th to 24th, 2025 (Arctic Russia) – APPLY NOW

Today, it exists a general misunderstanding with regard to the visa for Russia, which is that since the Ukraine war started in 2022, Russia is not offering tourist visas to international visitors.

This assumption is not only false but, with the recent introduction of an e-visa, getting a visa for Russia is easier than ever.

This short guide will show you the different ways to get your visa for Russia.

Check our travel guide for Russia

In this Russian visa guide, you will find:

Our experience with the Russian visa

As you may know, Against the Compass is offering group expeditions into remote locations within the Russian Federation.

Only in 2025, we’ve had participants from the following countries: USA, UK, Canada, Spain, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Poland, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Kuwait.

All of them managed to get their Russian visa without issues.

Don’t forget to check our upcoming expeditions to Russia:

• September 9th to 16th, 2025 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW
• September 18th to 24th, 2025 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
• November 16th to 22nd, 2025 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
• March 31st to April 6th, 2026 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
• April 14th to 21st, 2026 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW

How to apply for an electronic visa for Russia

In 2024, the Russian migration authorities made history by launching a user-friendly e-visa portal, allowing travelers to easily get their visa for Russia easily in a few days.

Find the electronic visa portal at this link.

What’s the Russian e-visa validity?

This e-visa allows you to travel in Russia for up to 16 days.

Which countries are eligible for a Russian e-visa?

All EU and Schengen countries, as well as Bahrain, Cambodia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, North Macedonia, Oman, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey and Vietnam.

How long does it take to get approval?

Around 4 calendar days.

How much does the Russian e-visa cost?

It costs 52 USD.

Can I use the e-visa at any entry point?

With the e-visa, you can enter Russia via any of its international airports, but land border crossings are limited.

The electronic portal lists all valid entry points.

Read our travel guide to Chechenya

My visa for Russia

How to apply for a Russian visa at the embassy (the traditional way)

Applying for a Russian e-visa seems pretty convenient, but there are some cases in which you will have to get it at the embassy or consulate in your country of residence:

1. You are planning to travel in Russia for more than 16 days
2. Your country is not on the list of countries eligible for an e-visa. Unfortunately, this also the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia
3. You want to get a multi-entry visa

Don’t worry, getting your Russian visa at the embassy is pretty easy.

Russian visa embassy requirements

1. Obtain a Letter of Invitation (LOI)

Important: Your visa will be only valid in the period stated in the LOI

The first thing you’ll need to have is an official Letter of Invitation (LOI), which can only be obtained through a valid tour operator in Russia.

You can easily purchase a Russian LOI online via iVisa Center, for example (they might also help you with the visa).

Alternatively, we can also provide a Letter of Invitation if joining any of our tours in Russia:

• September 9th to 16th, 2025 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW
• September 18th to 24th, 2025 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
• November 16th to 22nd, 2025 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
• March 31st to April 6th, 2026 (Arctic Russia). APPLY NOW
• April 14th to 21st, 2026 (Russian Caucasus). APPLY NOW

2. Fill out the visa application form

After obtaining your LOI, you will be able to complete the following online application form.

Keep in mind that the LOI is a must-requirement for completing this form, since they’ll be asking you for your sponsor details.

After submitting your form, you will have to print it out and bring it to the embassy.

3. Go to your respective consulate, embassy or Russian Visa Center

Fortunately, Russia has embassies in pretty much all countries, all of them being fully operational, including the ones in the USA, Canada, UK and anywhere across Europe.

Some embassies require having an appointment, while others don’t. Moreover, some prefer to delegate all visa services to their respective Russian Visa Center, while others require travelers to go to the actual embassy.

Either way, look for your Russian Embassy website to check their specific requirements.

These are the most common requirements:

• Printed copy of your Letter of Invitation
• Printed copy of your Visa application form
• Passport
• 2 passport photos
• Valid travel insurance for traveling in Russia. We recommend Alfa Strakhovanie, InterMundial (EU citizens only) or Auras.

How much does the visa for Russia cost?

Price varies from embassy to embassy but at the Russian Consulate of Barcelona:

• Single entry non-urgent visa: €120
• Single entry urgent visa: €195
• Multi-entry visa (6-month validity): €250

How long does it take for the visa to be issued?

1 to 3 weeks, depending on your type of visa.

Tips on how to apply for a Russian visa as an American

Applying for a visa for Russia as an American isn’t much different from other nationalities, but it presents certain particularities.

For example, as an American, you can only apply for a 3-year multiple entry visa, that’s the only option you can opt for.

Russia is huge, so this is a great advantage if you plan to visit Russia multiple times

This is a great advantage versus other passports, but it doesn’t come without its own costs, which is that they charge a 500 USD fee.

How to get your appointment at the Russian Embassy in the USA

After getting your Letter of Invitation and filling out the online form, you can make an appointment with any of the following consulates:

After submitting your documents at the embassy, expect to receive your visa within 2-3 weeks.

I live far away from those cities. Can I apply via ordinary mail?

Yes, you can.

If you can’t go to the embassy in person, know that they also accept applications via ordinary mail.

The whole process takes around 4 weeks.

Tips on how to apply for a Russian visa as a British citizen

British citizens can only apply for their visa in person. However, visa collection can be done by mail service.

After getting your Letter of Invitation and filling out the online form, you’ll have to book an appointment with your nearest embassy:

• Click here to book your appointment with the Embassy in London
• Click here to book your appointment with the Consulate in Edinburg

Allow between 1 to 4 weeks to get your visa, depending on whether you choose standard or express service.

Tips on how to apply for a Russian visa as a Canadian citizen

A visa for Russia can only be applied for in person.

After getting your Letter of Invitation and filling out the online form, you’ll have to book an appointment with your nearest embassy:

More information

In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Russia destination

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