ATTENTION! EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2011, the Russian Embassy and all Russian Consulates General in the U.S.A. will require that all applications for Russian visas submitted in the United States be prepared using the Electronic Visa Application Form which is a web-based application, available online at http://evisa.kdmid.ru.
After filling the Electronic Visa Application form online, applicants will have to print a copy of their application form, sign and date it, glue the required size photo to it and submit this printed original form, along with other necessary documentation, to Imperial River Cruises.
The Electronic Visa Application Form will provide greater accuracy and security in processing visa applications. It should be filled out in its full entirety. Incomplete forms may significantly delay visa processing time.
To obtain a Russian Entry Visa the following paperwork must be submitted to our office:
1. A completed and signed Visa Application Form (one per person). All entries on the form must be typed or printed in block letters in English (see our "Attachments" to print Visa Application Form).
2. Valid national original passport (it should have at least two clear visa pages; Visa cannot be stamped on the last page of your passport).
Passport must be valid no less than six months after the visa expiration date. Holders of travel document such us: Permit to Re-Enter the United States of America, Travel Document, etc. must submit valid Permanent Resident Card (an original and a copy).
3. One passport size photo (White background, 35 mm X 45 mm (1 3/8" X 1 3/4") with the head centered in the frame) Photo should be glued to the marked space of the application. The photograph must have been taken within the last six months.
4. Prepaid self-addressed FedEx envelope or any other courier mail service envelope.
5. Visa Support Letter from authorized Russian Company (we will provide these for you if you process the visa with us; if you use another company or do it directly through the Russian Consulate we charge $35 per person for visa support documents).
6. One payment check or money order payable to "Russia Tour Travel"
All documentation and payments should be mailed to:
Russia Tour Travel
288 Timber Ridge Drive
Staten Island, New York, 10306
Note:
-The applicant is fully responsible for the information in the application or visa support form. There are no refunds for incorrect visa issue (dates of entry and departure, spelling of the name, passport number, date of birth, etc.) if the applicant provides incorrect information in the application or visa support form. New fees will apply to reissue a correct visa.
-For one week or faster visa processing ONLY certified checks or money orders are accepted.
-The copy of the birth certificate is required for the children under 16 years old.
-The day of submission/delivery is NOT INCLUDED in processing time.
For a double entry tourist visa you should submit a copy of the tickets for the whole itinerary.
Applicants who used to be citizens of the USSR or Russian Federation and then emigrated from the USSR or Russia must submit one of the documents which confirms that they are no longer citizens of the Russian Federation (so called "Visa to Israel" or stamp in their passport saying that they left for "permanent residence abroad" before the 6th of February, 1992 or official document certifying that their Russian citizenship was renounced), otherwise the application will not be accepted.
For a working or a student visa you must submit HIV Test (AIDS) Certificate. For a multiple entry business visa you must submit two visa application forms and two photos (HIV Test is not needed).
A multiple entry business visa allows nationals of all countries to stay in Russia up to 90 days out of the period of 180 days.
Information for EU passport holders
On the 1st of June, 2007 the Russia-EU Visa facilitation agreement came into force and according to its provisions visa processing fees are changed for the citizens of the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia.
Holders of diplomatic passports of the countries mentioned above do not need a visa to enter Russia for 90 days.
Citizens of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland should submit national medical insurance certificate valid for Russia or guarantee of medical coverage from a Russian hosting organization for all period of stay. Medical insurance certificate should contain Russian contact number for emergency or assistance.
However these provisions are not valid for the countries which did not sign the Agreement: the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark, as well as Iceland and Norway which are not EU member states and did not sign the Agreement with Russia.
TURKISH VISA
The US and Canadian citizens may obtain their visas at the Turkish International Border Gates to stay in Turkey for a maximum period of three months.
BULGARIAN AND ROMANIAN VISAS
The US and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to Bulgaria and Romania for a stay up to 90 days.
UKRAINIAN VISA
The US, Canadian and Japanese citizens as well as citizens of 25 European Union states do not need a visa to Ukraine for a stay up to 90 days. However, visas are still required for citizens who enter Ukraine with the purpose of employment, permanent residency, study and work at the diplomatic missions in Ukraine or with any other purpose if they are going to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days.