Business visa

Business visa is required in case you wish to enter Russia for business purposes. 

Business visa can be valid for up to 3 months and can be issued for single or double entry. Also business visa can be issued for multiple entries. All applicants from EU countries wishing to apply for multiple entry visa should obtain direct invitation letter from the inviting company in Russia (INN Letter) or a letter of invitation issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia). Applicants should also have a single or double Russian visa in the last 1 year, without which they cannot apply for multiple entries. Visa copies need to be provided.

Dates of validity of the visa will correspond with mentioned on your letter of invitation issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia) or a telex from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

To the attention of the Foreign Mass Media representatives

When intending to travel to Russia to perform professional duties as journalists of foreign mass media on a short-term, your visa application can be submitted based on a written request from your employer and a press identification card, and you are eligible to apply for a business visa valid for up to 3 months issued for single or double entry only. Visa is issued with the purpose of travel “Mass media reporter” or “Mass media technician”.

In case of accreditation granted by MFA of Russia as regular correspondents of foreign mass media in the Russian Federation, a work one-entry visa is issued to enter Russia. Upon arrival in the Russian Federation multiple-entry visa and registration to be granted by the respective bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Please note, that starting from January 27, 2021 all non-Finish citizens residing in Finland need to provide a confirmation for continuous stay to apply for a visa to Russia in Finland (residence permit, notice from an employer or an educational institution, or an extract from The Finnish Population Information System). For EU citizens a copy of an extract from the The Finnish Population Information System is required. 

  1. Original passport, which must contain at least 2 blank visa pages, and which must be valid for a period of 6 months after the visa expires. The passport will remain at the Consulate for the whole period of the application process.
  2. Online application form completed on the website https://visa.kdmid.ru, printed and signed in person by the applicant. Please choose a visa application centre you are going to submit your application to. Your electronic application form will be directed to the intended visa centre. Visa centre provides additional service to fill in the application on your behalf.
  3. One recent photograph as per photo specifications. Please note, that at the visa application centre in Helsinki you can opt for a photo service.
  4. An invitation issued by a General Administration for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal affairs of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia) or a telex from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a written request from the host organization, as it is stated in the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation (this option is also possible for citizens of Iceland, Norway and Republic of Korea).According to Article 4 of the Agreement, such written request shall contain the following items: for the invited person — name and surname, date of birth, gender, citizenship, number of the identity document, time and purpose of the journey, number of entries; for the inviting legal person, company or organization — full name, address of the company, the name and position of the person who signs the request, the tax identification number of the company or organization, and the statement, that the inviting party is in charge of financial, medical and all other costs related to the invited person during the whole stay in Russia. Under bilateral agreements citizens of the following countries may apply for a visa based on a written request from the host organization: India, Iran (an original of the invitation is required), Japan, China, USA.
  5. Please note that starting from February, 2021 visas for accompanying family members are granted only based on a letter of invitation issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia).
  6. Please note, that applicants who are planning to participate in musical events on commercial basis should provide an official invitation issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia).
  7. Insurance policy for the whole period of the stay in Russia. The policy document should show the name of the policy holder, validity for the duration of the journey as well as indicate the geographical area coverage as worldwide/including Russia, and cover medical expenses and repatriation.
    The insurance policy should contain a logo and a stamp of the insurance company along with a position and a signature of the insurer. If the policy document does not contain any logo, stamp or signature, the insurance should show the name and the contact details of the insurer. The insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros. The insurance needs to be presented only by the citizens of the Schengen states, Iran, Israel and Ireland on the basis of reciprocity.
  8. a. Confirmation for continuous stay in Finland (permanent residence permit, pysyvä oleskelulupa) is required from the nationals of the following countries only: Algeria, Angola, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Iraq, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Syria, Somalia, Chad, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Egypt, Yemen, Lebanon, Libya. b. Confirmation of stay in Finland for more than 90 days from the following nationals (residence permit, notice from an employer or an educational institution, or an extract from The Finnish Population Information System): all countries  (including  Denmark, UK and Northern Ireland, Ireland)  except for citizens of EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, India, Iran, South Korea and USA.
  9.  To the attention of citizens of Australia entering Russia for business purposes: To ensure a principle of reciprocity citizens of Australia will need to submit detailed autobiography in Russian language only.
  10. For Minors:

Children under 14 travelling alone or whose visa applications are unaccompanied with their parents’ are required to submit following additional documents:

    • Signed and dated permission letter  (letter of consent) from one of the parents giving permission to the child to apply for a visa or explaining that the parent would be travelling with the child
    • A copy parents’ passports (bio page).
    • If the child’s and parent’s surnames do not match, we would also require a copy of the birth certificate or an extract from the population register to confirm that the permission letter has been provided by the biological parent/guardian.

Please note, you can opt for a Post delivery service to get your passport back after the processing.

Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:

  • 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
  • Clear share quality and with the face in focus.
  • Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
  • Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).
  • Please stick the Photograph on the visa application form.

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete.

Please note, that at the Russia visa application centre in Helsinki you can opt for a photo service.

Please note that while applying for a Russian visa you will be requested to leave your passport at the Consulate for the whole period of the application process.

Please note, you can opt for a Post delivery service to get your passport back after the processing.

Processing times may vary from application to application and are at the sole discretion of the Russian Consulate.

    • Normal applications submitted in Helsinki, Turku and Lappeenranta will take minimum 5 working days to get processed.
    • Single or Double Tourist visas for citizens of EU – 4 working days.
    • For EU citizens applying for single or double entry visa with invitation letter containing Individual Tax Number (ИНН) visa processing time is minimum of 5 working days.
    • For EU citizens applying for multiple entries business or humanitarian visa with invitation letter containing Individual Tax Number (ИНН) visa processing time is minimum of 10 calendar days. Applicants should also have a single or double Russian visa in the last 1 year, without which they cannot apply for multiple entries.
    • For citizens of USA visa processing time will take 15 calendar days not depending on the visa category and visa duration. Please note that citizens of USA can apply for urgent processing of visa application only at rare or emergency cases.
    • For citizens of UK processing time will take not less than 10 working days.
    • For the citizens of Australia, Turkmenistan and Israel the visa processing time will take 10 to 15 calendar days (under normal circumstances) unless they have residence permit or long term work/student visa for the Finland for a term exceeding 90 days.
    • Expedite processing (minimum 3 working days): depending on the nature of urgency only for certain purposes of travel for one- or double-entry visas. Please clarify on urgent processing at the time of submission.

Please note that visa fees may vary depending on the nationality, visa duration and processing time. Please contact Visa Application Centre for more information before applying for your visa.

Along with the visa fees, there is a service charge of 35 Euro (inclusive of VAT 24%) applicable per visa application. Visa and service fees can be paid by credit / debit card and cash. Please note that the processing of your application will start when the respective visa and service fees have been paid.

For citizens of Finland and EU according to the Russia-EU visa facilitation agreement and bilateral agreements between Russia and Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland  (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Denmark, Spain, Iceland, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Estonia): 

PROCESSING TIME

VISA FEE, EUR

Business visa

1-entry/2-entry visa

4-20 days

35

3 days

70

Business visa

Multiple entry visa

10 calendar days

35

Business (letter of invitation issued by a General Administration for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal affairs of the Russian Federation or a telex from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Multiple entry

 3 working days

 70

For US citizens *

PROCESSING TIME

VISA FEE, EUR

1-entry visa

15 calendar days

185

3 working days *

185

2-entry visa

15 calendar days

185

Multiple entry visa

15 calendar days

185

3 working days *

185

* One-entry visas with the processing time up to 3 days could be issued only in case of emergency. In rare exceptional cases with special directions from Consular department the processing time for multiple entry visas could be shortened up to 3 days. 

For Japan citizens*

PROCESSING TIME

VISA FEE, EUR

1-entry visa

>10 working days

0

4-5 working days

31

1-3 working days

78

2-entry visa

>10 working days

0

4-5 working days

31

1-3 working days

78

Multiple entry visa

>10 working days

0

4-5 working days

31

1-3 working days

78

 

For citizens of People’s Republic of China *

 

PROCESSING TIME

VISA FEE, EUR

1-entry visa

4-20 working days

50

3 working days

80

1 working day*

170

2-entry visa

4-20 working days

100

3 working days

130

1 working day*

170

Multiple entry visa

4-20 working days

150

3 working days

180

1 working day*

220

* Please note that applications for urgent processing for 1 working day could be submitted only to the Consulate.

For citizens of Angola and Vietnam

PROCESSING TIME

VISA FEE, EUR

1-entry visa

4-20 working days

30

3 working days

60

2-entry visa

4-20 working days

48

3 working days

96

Multiple entry visa

4-20 working days

90

3 working days

180

For citizens of other countries (including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey)  and Stateless persons

PROCESSING TIME

VISA FEE, EUR

1-entry visa

4-20 working days

80

3 working days

160

2-entry visa

4-20 working days

128

3 working days

256

Multiple entry visa

4-20 working days

240

3 working days

480

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