Russia

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I get a Visa on arrival at an Russian airport?

Ans- NO, you need to obtain a visa to Russia before you board a flight to Russia.

  1. What is the time taken to obtain Russia Visa?

Ans– It takes anywhere between 1.5 to 3 months days to get a Russian Visa. In some cases, Consulate/Embassy officials may take additional time from a case to case basis; which is purely their discretion. This does not include the time taken for mail. Tourist Visas generally take less time than the Business Visas.

  1. Is there a faster(expedited) way to obtain a Russia Visa?

Ans– Yes, We do provide Rush service. Please do mention your requirement at the time of submission of your application to us.

  1. Do I need to appear in person to submit my Visa application to Embassy/Consulate of Russia?

Ans– No, You do not need to submit your application in person. Traversal Visa will submit your application on your behalf. In certain rare cases however, Consular officers from the embassy/consulate may ask you to appear for an interview.

  1. How many days I am allowed to stay in Russia in one trip?

Ans– You can stay in Russia for a maximum of 15days on Tourist Visa in Russia. You can stay in Russia for 6 Months on a long terms Business Visa. Number of entries to Russia during the allowed duration can be single or multiple from a case to case basis, and purely on the discretion of the consular officials.

  1. I am planning to visit Russia to visit my friends/relatives. Which Visa should I apply for?

Ans- In this case, you need to apply for a Private Visa.Please see the detailed requirements for a Private Visa .

  1. What is the validity period of my Visa?

Ans– Your visa is valid from the date of Issue as mentioned on the Visa sticker; and not from the date of entry into Russia.

  1. Is it possible to extend my Visa while I am in Russia?

Ans- As a rule, this is not possible. However, it can be exetended ONLY if you miss your flight, or have a accident or serious illness, or seat unavailability in case of an open date ticket.Maximum extension possible in such cases is only 2 weeks.. Extension is not possible for citizens of Citizens of Germany, Latin America and Asian countries.

  1. Do minor children(less than 18 years) need a Visa to go to Russia?

Ans– Every applicant, irrespective of age is required to obtain a Visa before departure to Russia.

  1. Do I need to get an HIV test done for my Visa application to Russia?

Ans- When planning to stay in Russia for over 90 days make sure to obtain an HIV test certificate. You may be asked to display it to medical officer at a Russian border checkpoint. Such certificate is not necessary when traveling for a lesser period of time.

  1. Can I take my Pet to Russia along with me?

Ans– Yes, you can. You will however need to obtain an International Health Certificate from a Local Veterinary doctor for your pet.

  1. I am not a US passport Holder, can I still apply for a Russia Visa in the US?

Ans– You can only apply for a Russia Visa from US if you a legal resident of US; US passport Holder, Green Card holder, Long term resident visa like L1. You are not allowed to apply for a Russia Visa in US if you visiting US on a short term visit(B1/B2). Citizens of Germany, Latin America and Asian countries should get their visas in the Russian Consulates on the territory of their native countries.

  1. Do I need to register my Visa after arriving in Russia?

Ans- If your stay in Russia is going to be less than 7 days you do not need to register your visa. However, if your planned stay is going to be longer than 7 days,you MUST register your Visa with the Russian Authorities at the Russian Department of Visas and Registrations(UVIR) within 72 hours of arriving in Russia. There could be fines, deportation or detention by the Russian police if you fail to register within 72 hours of arrival in Russia. If you are staying at a hotel, your hotel will register your visa. If you are staying at a private place, your visa sponsor should register your visa.

  1. I have heard from some of my friends that they got a visa for a lesser duration than what they had applied for?

Ans– In most of the cases, visas are issued for the duration for what you have applied for . However, in certain cases the consular officials at their discretion may issue a visa for a shorter duration. This is however a exception rather than a rule.

  1. Is there a refund of visa fee if I decide to withdraw my application?

Ans– Visa Fee, if already paid to the Embassy/Consulate is not refundable. However, if you decide to withdraw your application before it is submitted to the Embassy/Consulate; you will get the refund of the full fees. There is no refund if Embassy/Consulate has rejected your Visa application.

  1. What are the acceptable modes of payment acceptable by Traversal Visa?

Ans– At this point, you can make payment directly into our bank account through wire transfer, or you can pay by cash or money order. Personal checks and Company checks are not acceptable. You can make one single(consolidated) payment if you are applying for more than one individual.

  1. Do I need a Travel Insurance while visiting Russia?

Ans– For US passport holders, It is not mandatory to have Travel insurance while traveling to Russia. However, it is always advisable to obtain one to take care of any unforeseen medical expenses. Do mention your requirement at the time of your visa application. It doesn’t cost a fortune; but can definitely save a dent in your fortune. For non-US passport holders, travel insurance is mandatory.

  1. I had migrated to US from Russia many years ago and now have a US passport. Is there any additional documents that I need to provide to get a Visa to Russia.

Ans– Yes, for any applicant of Russian origin, there are some additional documentation required. Please read the “Russian Origin Applicants” tab carefully before starting your visa application. You can always call or write to us if there is any clarifications needed regarding the requirements.