Unit 4 Types of Visa

Most foreign tourists need to obtain a Russian travel visa before visiting Russia. Depending on the purpose and length of visit one can apply for different types of visa. This section of our website covers the following types: Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Visitor's Visa, Student Visa, Transit Visa, Cruise Passengers.

Tourist Visa

A Russia tourist visa is issued for those travelers who visit Russia for tourism purposes. This type of visa is the most popular one, as it's the least expensive and the easiest to get. Tourist visas are valid for up to 1 month and allow either a single or double entry and exit. Tourist visa cannot be extended.

To obtain a Russian tourist visa visitors should confirm accommodation and invitation from a travel agency or another organization authorized by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Business Visa

Businesspeople can apply for a Russia business visa that can be valid for a period up to 1 year. A Business visa can be single-entry, double-entry and multiple-entry. Single-entry and double-entry visas are valid for 1 or 3 months. Multiple-entry visas are valid for 3, 6 or 12 months.

To obtain a Russian business visa a business invitation issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, by its regional representatives or special local offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is required.

Business visas can be also used for non-business purposes. This kind of visa is recommended in case you are going to visit Russia more than once within a certain period of time.

Please note that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not process applications for business visas earlier than 45 days before the first stated date of entry.

Visitor's Visa

Russia visitor's visa (it is also called a home stay or a private visa) is issued for visitors who have relatives or friends in Russia. This type of visa can be valid for a period from one day to three months. Visitor's visa can be only used for one entry.

To obtain a visitor's visa to Russia it's necessary to receive a private visa invitation from your Russian friends or relatives, issued by the local department of Passport and Visa Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The invitation should be mailed to you in original.

Please note that an invitation letter from your friends or relatives cannot be considered as an official invitation valid for obtaining a visa to Russia.

Student Visa

A Student visa is required to study in the Russian Federation. A Student visas are valid for the whole period of your study program. This type of visa is single-entry.

To obtain a Russian student visa, a letter of invitation from a university or school in Russia is required.

Transit Visa

Transit Visa is required for travelers who visit other countries via Russia. Transit visas are valid for not more than 72 hours and can be single-entry or double-entry.

To obtain this type of visa, visitors don't need any invitations or visa support. The Consulate will issue a transit visa provided that you present a copy of your travel documents, including a copy of your visa to the country of destination.

Transit visas are not required for layovers, which last less than 24 hours without leaving the international area at the airport.

Cruise Passengers

Cruise ship passengers can currently visit Russia on visa-waiver scheme provided the stop in the port of call doesn't exceed 72 hours and tourists stay overnight on board the cruise ship.

Cruise passengers may disembark from the ship without a tourist visa if they participate on tours organized by travel companies. Passengers not participating on tours and wishing to disembark will need to obtain a Russia tourist visa.

Cruise passengers cannot obtain a visa in Russia. Visas are issued in the country of residence before departure.

Ex. 1. Answer the following questions:

1. Who a Russia tourist visa is issued for?

2. How long can multiple-entry visas be valid?

3. When is it necessary to receive a private visa invitation from your Russian friends or relatives?

4. What is Transit Visa?

5. In what case may cruise passengers disembark from the ship without a tourist visa?

Ex. 2. Match the words in A with their definitions in B:

A	B
1. obtain	a. to give something to people officially
2. valid	b. to give official permission for something to happen
3. accommodation	c. to get something that you want or need, especially by going through a process that is difficult
4. disembark	d. legally accepted
5. issue	e. to get off a ship or plane
6. authorize	f. a place for someone to stay, live or work in.

Ex. 3. Complete the gaps with one of the words given below:

required	obtain
multiple-entry	tourism purposes
travelers	issued

1. A Russia tourist visa is ……… for those travelers who visit Russia for ……...

2. Transit Visa is required for ......... who visit other countries via Russia.

3. A Student visa is ……… to study in the Russian Federation.

4. Cruise passengers cannot ……… a visa in Russia.

5. ……… visas are valid for 3, 6 or 12 months.

Ex. 4. Put the verbs in an appropriate tense and voice:

1. Single-entry and double-entry visas (be) valid for 1 or 3 months.

2. The Consulate (issue) a transit visa provided that you (present) a copy of your travel documents, including a copy of your visa to the country of destination.

3. Most foreign tourists need (obtain) a Russian travel visa before visiting Russia.

4. This kind of visa (be) recommended in case you (be) going to visit Russia more than once within a certain period of time.

5. Cruise passengers may (disembark) from the ship without a tourist visa if they (participate) on tours organized by travel companies.

Ex. 5. Translate the sentences into Russian paying attention to infinitive and gerund constructions:

1. The boy enjoyed visiting the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, which lies in the middle of the medieval town. The museum contains a significant number of sculptures and other works of art and it is really worth seeing.

2. Thank you for bringing the matter to my attention. I do apologize for the inconvenience, caused by the dripping faucets. I’ll have them looked at by the plumber.

3. The hotel’s stuff speaks your language and can find accommodation for you as well as answer your enquiries.

4. Buffets are popular because they give guests the opportunity to make choices from a display of foods.