Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Other consulates receive applications directly. In addition to the standard documents re-
quired for Russian visas, you may be required to provide pay stubs, bank statements, proof
of insurance, or proof of property ownership. If you are travelling with children, you will
probably need copies of their birth certificates. The charge for the visa will also vary, de-
pending on the type of visa applied for and how quickly you need it. Avoid potential hassles
by checking requirements well in advance.
Registration
Every visitor to Russia is obligated to have their visa registered within seven business
days of arrival. If you are in Moscow for less than seven business days, you are exempt. If
you leave Moscow, you must register again in any city where you stay seven days or longer.
When you check in at a hotel or hostel, you surrender your passport and visa so the hotel
can register you with the local visa office. You'll get your documents back the next day.
If you are staying in a homestay or rental apartment, your landlord can register your visa
through the local post office. But this is a big hassle that most landlords don't care to under-
take. An easier alternative is to get registered through the agency that issued your invitation
(though you'll probably pay an extra fee).
Extensions
Extensions are time consuming and difficult; tourist visas can't be extended at all. Note
that many trains out of St Petersburg and Moscow to Eastern Europe cross the border after
midnight, so make sure your visa is valid up to and including this day.
