How to Get Your Russian Tourist Visa

A standard tourist visa can be given for a maximum of 30 days and can be either single-entry or double-entry.

Papers needed:

1. A regular "Tourist Voucher" and "Tourist Confirmation" from a Russian travel company. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation should properly register the travel agency as a tourist company and give it a special reference number. The Confirmation Letter should show this reference number.

To make things easier, it's best to call a tourist or visa processing office in the Republic of Korea to find out how to get the papers you need to get a Russian tourist visa.

Please remember that the Consulate cannot process your visa with a payment confirmation or ticket coupon.

- People who go on a cruise ship (sea or river) and don't take part in a planned group tour have to give a letter from the cruise company and a "Cruise Confirmation Letter" from a partner agency of the cruise company in Russia. (Before asking for a visa, ask your cruise provider for a copy of that letter.)

2. The actual passport. Passports that have pages labeled "visas" with no writing on them are required to have at least two. If not, the passport and papers will not be accepted and will be sent back. The passport has to be good for at least six months after the visa expires.

During the entire visa handling time, the applicant's passport will be with the Consulate.

3. The regular visa application form, with a black-and-white or color passport-sized picture glued or taped to the spot for a photo on the form (Russian Visa Photo Specifications).

Every person who wants a visa needs to fill out the form online and print it out at home, at work, or at the Consulate General with the other needed papers.

There can't be any empty spots left. Type "N/A" if a question doesn't apply. Write "None" if none is the answer. Please make sure that the dates of your entry and exit on the application form match the dates in your letter. The form needs to have the person's real name on it and needs to be easy to read. Keep in mind that all of the numbers on your entry form need to be in European style (day, month, year). Please clearly state your phone number (home, office). Forms that are not fully filled out, that don't have a signature, that have changes, that are filled out in a way that makes the writing impossible to read, or that do NOT come from THIS SPECIAL OFFICIAL WEB SITE will be sent back to the people who filled them out.

4. A cover letter that states the goal of your trip, when you will arrive and leave, the places you will visit in Russia, and a phone or fax number where you can be reached.

В соответствии с российскими законами, россияне, в том числе имеющие просроченные заграничные паспорта, не могут получить визу.

5. If you do not have a Korean passport: You can only apply for a Russian visa if you have an Alien Registration Card, Sojourn Status, or long-term non-immigration legal status in the ROK that is good for at least three months from when you apply for the visa. The Russian Federation has a mutual understanding visa policy with some countries around the world, and people of those countries should not need to register as aliens for more than three months. If you want to know whether your country is on this list, please ask the Consulate.

You have to register as a foreigner if you stay in Russia for more than seven work days after you arrive. This registration is needed by Russian law, which also governs how foreigners enter, leave, and remain in the country. The registration process changes based on the type of visa in your passport. It can range from checking into a hotel to the Passport and Visa Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia or the Russian Federal Immigration Service. To avoid legal issues during your trip to Russia, make sure you get the right visa for your needs, whether it's for tourism, staying at a relative's or friend's house, business, or travel.