Russia Visa

Russia — Visa Overview

About Russia

Russia is the world's largest country by landmass — a vast and extraordinary nation spanning two continents, eleven time zones, and an area so immense that it borders fourteen countries and touches three oceans. It is a civilisation of supreme global significance, having shaped the course of world history, science, literature, art, and geopolitics for centuries. From the imperial grandeur of the Tsarist era to the monumental achievements of the Soviet period and the dynamic energy of modern Russia, this is a nation whose story is unlike any other on earth.

The cultural and architectural wealth of Russia is staggering in its scale and beauty. Moscow — the beating heart of the nation — captivates visitors with the iconic Red Square, the golden domes of the Kremlin, the world-famous Bolshoi Theatre, and the extraordinary Cathedral of Saint Basil the Blessed, one of the most recognized landmarks on the planet. Saint Petersburg, Russia's cultural capital, enchants with the classical magnificence of the Hermitage Museum — one of the largest and most celebrated art museums in the world — the breathtaking Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, the grandeur of the Winter Palace, and the romantic charm of its historic canals and bridges that earned it the title of the Venice of the North.

Beyond its two iconic cities, Russia reveals a country of extraordinary diversity — the ancient golden ring towns of Suzdal and Vladimir, the spiritual heartland of Sergiev Posad, the vast wilderness of Siberia, the pristine waters of Lake Baikal — the deepest freshwater lake on earth — and the volcanic landscapes of Kamchatka. Russia is also a nation of supreme achievement in ballet, classical music, literature, and the sciences — the birthplace of Tchaikovsky, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov, and the nation that launched the first human into space. For the traveller seeking a destination of genuine depth, history, and wonder, Russia stands in a category entirely its own.

• Rayna's Unmatched Visa Success — Our Track Record Speaks for Itself: Based on our internal records and the applications processed directly by Rayna Tours, we have maintained a 100% approval rate on all Russia visa applications to date — including approvals secured for high-risk nationalities. This statistic reflects exclusively the cases handled by our team. While visa approval ultimately rests with the Russian Embassy and can never be guaranteed, our success is rooted in the precision, completeness, and consistency of the document packages we prepare for every applicant. It is this depth of expertise and attention to detail that distinguishes Rayna Tours from any other visa service provider in the industry.

Russia Visa — Two Options Depending on Your Nationality

When it comes to applying for a Russia visa, the option available to you depends entirely on your nationality. There are two distinct routes — the e-Visa and the regular sticker visa — and understanding which one applies to you is the first step in the application process.

Option 1 — Russia e-Visa

(Available to eligible nationalities only — fully online, no embassy visit required)

The Russia Unified e-Visa is a fully digital visa issued online through the official website of the Consular Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No embassy visit, no invitation letter, no hotel booking, and no flight ticket is required to apply.
Who is eligible?

Citizens of 64 countries are eligible for the Russia e-Visa. Among Rayna's three markets — India and Saudi Arabia nationals are eligible for the e-Visa. UAE nationals are also eligible. Citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia are not eligible and must apply for a regular sticker visa through the embassy.

Key features of the Russia e-Visa — confirmed from the official MFA portal:

• Single entry — the e-Visa permits one entry into Russia only
• Validity: 120 days from the date of issue
• Permitted stay: Up to 30 days from the date of entry within the validity period. Note: The day of arrival and the day of departure are each counted as a full day
• Purposes permitted: Tourism, private visits, business, and participation in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic, or sporting events
• No invitation letter required — applicants are not required to submit an invitation letter, hotel booking, or any document confirming the purpose of travel
• Travel medical insurance is mandatory and must be valid for the entire duration of stay in Russia
• Entry points: The e-Visa is valid only for entry and exit through specific designated border crossing points approved by the Russian government — applicants must ensure their intended port of entry is on the approved list before travelling
• Processing time: Applications are processed within 4 calendar days from the date of submission, including weekends and public holidays
• Application window: The application must be submitted no earlier than 86 days and no later than 4 days before the intended date of entry into Russia
• The e-Visa is issued as a PDF document with a unique QR code — this must be printed or saved on a mobile device and presented to the transport company when boarding and to border officers at the port of entry

Option 2 — Regular Sticker Visa
(For nationalities not eligible for the e-Visa, or for purposes not covered by the e-Visa)

For nationalities not included in the 64-country e-Visa eligible list, or for applicants travelling for purposes not covered by the e-Visa — such as work or study — a regular sticker visa must be obtained through the Russian Embassy or Consulate. The sticker visa is affixed directly into the applicant's passport by the issuing authority.

Key features of the regular sticker visa:

• An invitation letter or visa support document is mandatory for most regular visa categories
• The original passport must be submitted physically at the Russian Embassy or Consulate, or at an authorised Visa Application Centre
• The visa is stamped directly into the passport and returned to the applicant upon completion
• Multiple-entry visas may be issued for certain categories and nationalities, at the discretion of the issuing authority
• Processing times and requirements vary depending on the visa category and the applicant's nationality

Rayna Tours service for regular sticker visa applicants: Once the client brings their original passport and all required documents to the Rayna office, our team submits the application and passport directly at the Russian Embassy or authorized Visa Application Centre on the client's behalf, and returns the stamped passport to the client upon collection.

Visa Validity & Permitted Stay

For the e-Visa: validity is fixed at 120 days from date of issue, with a maximum stay of 30 days per visit. For the regular sticker visa: validity, number of entries, and permitted duration of stay are determined solely by the issuing Russian Embassy or Consulate, based on the applicant's profile, purpose of visit, and nationality. None of these are fixed and vary case by case.

General Disclaimer

All visa decisions — including approval, refusal, validity, number of entries, and permitted duration of stay — rest solely with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the issuing Russian Embassy or Consulate, and the Russian border authorities at the port of entry. Rayna Tours acts as a professional visa assistance provider only. Submission of a complete application does not guarantee visa approval or entry into Russia.

Terms & Conditions — Russia Visa Assistance

• Rayna Tours provides professional visa assistance for both the Russia e-Visa and regular sticker visa across UAE, India, and KSA. Rayna Tours has no affiliation with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy, or any Russian government authority.
• Visa issuance — whether e-Visa or sticker visa — is subject to approval by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the issuing Embassy or Consulate. Rayna Tours does not guarantee visa approval under any circumstances.
• All visa application fees and Rayna Tours service fees are strictly non-refundable once the application has been submitted, regardless of the outcome — whether approved, refused, or delayed.
• Applicants must submit complete, accurate, and genuine information and documents. Any incorrect information may result in refusal or revocation of an already issued visa, including at the Russian border.
• The Russia e-Visa must be applied for no earlier than 86 days and no later than 4 days before the intended date of entry. Applications submitted outside this window cannot be processed.
• The e-Visa is a single-entry visa, valid for 120 days from the date of issue, with a maximum permitted stay of 30 days. The day of arrival and the day of departure are each counted as full days.
• The e-Visa is valid only through designated Russian border crossing points. Entry through a non-designated port is not permitted — applicants must verify their intended crossing point before travel.
• Valid travel medical insurance for the entire duration of stay in Russia is mandatory for all e-Visa applicants.
• A separate visa application is mandatory for each minor child. Children under 6 years of age are exempt from the e-Visa consular fee.
• The grant of a visa does not guarantee entry into Russia. Final entry is at the sole discretion of Russian immigration officials at the port of entry.
• Approved visas must be used within the stated validity period, permitted stay duration, and visa category. Any overstay, fines, penalties, or legal consequences are the sole responsibility of the traveller.
• Rayna Tours bears no responsibility for visa refusals, delays, or decisions made by Russian authorities at any stage of the process.
• Russia visa rules, fees, eligible nationalities, and entry conditions are subject to change without prior notice at the discretion of the Russian government.