How to apply
How to apply
Foreign citizens and stateless persons traveling to Russia must obtain a visa before attempting to enter the country. Visa-free entry to Russia is only possible if such a regime is established for specific categories of foreign citizens by an international agreement and/or laws of the Russian Federation. Please read the information below carefully before you apply for a visa.
The Consulate General of the Russian Federation in New York accepts visa application requests by appointment only. Appointments can be made through the web-site https://new-york.kdmid.ru/
The documents may be submitted by an applicant IN PERSON or through an authorized representative acting on the basis of a power of attorney certified by a notary in the Russian Federation or a Russian consular official abroad.
The applicant’s passport with a visa or without it (if refused) can be returned by post mail upon completion of the visa procedure. To receive this service the set of documents should include a prepaid USPS PRIORITY MAIL or USPS PRIORITY MAIL EXPRESS postal envelope with a tracking number and an affixed stamp(s) covering the cost of shipping, a return address in English, as well as a written consent with the applicant’s acceptance of responsibility for the passport damage or loss by USPS.
The Consulate General issues visas of all categories to US citizens, citizens of other countries and stateless persons who have a U.S. residence permission or other documents confirming the right to permanent residence in the United States of America. A proof of your right to permanently reside in the United States for the period exceeding 180 days is a prerequisite for obtaining a visa.
Persons who do not have documents confirming the right to reside in the United States are recommended to apply for visas at Russian diplomatic or consular offices in their countries of nationality.
Required documents
An applicant is supposed to present the following documents:
1) Signed passport with at least two blank visa pages valid for at least 6 more months after the expiration date of the requested visa. If the validity condition is not fully met, your visa validity period will be shortened to allow 6 months of passport validity after the visa expiration date.
2) Invitation to visit the Russian Federation.
The form of the invitation depends on the type of the requested visa. Please see the details on the corresponding page to the visa type you are going to apply.
3) Printed out, signed and dated visa application completed at http://visa.kdmid.ru. Please follow the instructions on the website while filling in the application form.
4) Passport size color picture taken no earlier than 6 months before the date of application. The photos must be clear, forward-facing and taken against a plain white or light-colored background.
5) Payment. The consulate accepts payment in cash only.
Information for the citizens of the U.S.
In accordance with the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States of America on the simplification of visa formalities for nationals of the Russian Federation and nationals of the United States of America, the US citizens are as a rule issued multiple-entry business, private, humanitarian and tourist visas valid for up to 3 years (36 months). We recommend that American citizens apply for a 3-year multiple-entry.
Multiple-entry visas issued in accordance with the Agreement allow: 1) staying in Russia for up to 6 months per visit. The number of visits is unlimited; 2) subsequent trips with a purpose other than that initially indicated in the visa. Please note that the purpose of each trip and information on the hosting organization or person must be indicated in a Migration card form (filled out just before entering the country) in order to clear Russian customs and border control.
Processing time
We recommend applying for a visa at least 10 business days before your trip. A visa can only be expedited in case the applicant has documentary evidence of urgency. No expedited service is provided for multiple-entry visas.
Please apply for a visa no earlier than 6 months before the planned date of entry to the Russian Federation.
Filling out a visa application
All questions in the application form must be answered. If a question is not applicable, please put “N/A”.
Information in the visa application must fully correspond to the information in the applicant’s passport. The information about your host organization is found in the invitation and must be indicated in the “Host Organization” field of the application. Please note that filling out an application online is only the first stage of your visa obtaining process, the Consulate does not issue visas online. In order to apply for a visa, you must submit all the required documents at the visa center or the consulate.
In the “Date of entry/exit into/from Russia” field please indicate the full period of the requested visa (as found in your invitation), not only the planned dates of your first visit. American citizens applying for multiple 3-year tourist, private, business or humanitarian visas should indicate a 3-year period starting from the entry date indicated in the invitation.
While filling out the application you can choose to “Save draft” before you are finished. You can then retrieve incomplete or finished applications using your application ID (assigned at the beginning of the process) and your password.
If you need to make changes to a completed application, please select “Get a new draft ID” and then “Next” after accessing a completed application. In this case, your previous application is duplicated with a new ID allowing you to make changes before submitting the corrected application.
In the “Destination name” please indicate “Consulate General of Russia in New York”.
DO NOT CHOOSE “VISA CENTER”
Please make sure to print out your application, sign and date it in the designated area at the bottom.
Medical insurance
Citizens of Iran, Ireland, Israel, China and EU passport holders must present medical insurance certificates valid in Russia or guarantee of medical coverage from a Russian hosting organization for the whole period of stay. Medical insurance certificates should contain a Russian contact phone number for emergencies or assistance.
Additional information
1) Non-US citizens should provide proof of legality of their stay in the United States (US resident alien/permanent residency status (green card), U.S. visa, form I-94, etc.).
2) In accordance with the Russian law, citizens of the Russian Federation regardless of any other citizenships they may have must travel to Russia on valid Russian documents only.
3) The visa processing fee is not refundable.
4) The type of requested visa or dates of entry/departure cannot be changed or extended. If your travel plans have changed after the visa issuance you have to reapply for a new visa.
5) After you have received your visa, please check that all the information on the visa is correct. In case of error, please return the visa to the Consulate for corrections. The Consulate is not responsible for any errors in visas, which are not brought to our attention prior to your departure from the United States.
6) Any visa applicant may be called to be interviewed by a consular officer, if necessary.
7) Processing time, requirements and fees are subject to change without notice.
8) In certain cases the visa section of the Consulate is entitled to process visa applications for as long as necessary. Visas can be refused.
9) Please be advised that a person cannot hold two or more valid Russian visas at the same time. In this case, the older valid (unexpired) visa will be canceled before a new visa is issued.
