Rules for obtaining a Russian visa for US citizens

According to the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation № 1745-r of June 28, 2021 the Consular Division of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the U.S.A. as well as Consulates General of the Russian Federation in New York and Houston resume the issuance of all categories of visas.

U.S. citizens also may travel to Russia using valid multiple-entry Russian visas that were issued before the adoption of the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation № 645-r of March 16, 2020. There is no need in sending any special requests or asking permissions from the Embassy to travel to Russia (if a traveller has a valid visa and a valid passport).

Dear US Applicants!

1. According to the Agreement it is recommended that you submit your documents for obtaining a 3-year multiple-entry visa at least 8 working days prior to your intended date of entry into Russia.
2. When filling out the electronic visa application form at: http://visa.kdmid.ru please choose «multiple» from the drop-down menu and indicate a 3-year period of stay starting from the date of entry in your visa support documents (invitation).
3. Your Visa Application must be accompanied by an invitation from the hosting party. Copies or facsimilies of the invitation are acceptable.
4. A multiple-entry visa allows subsequent trips with a purpose other than what was initially indicated in the visa. Thus, the new purpose of each trip and information on the new hosting organization must be indicated in the Migration Card form in order to clear Russian customs and border control.
5. The passport of the applicant, as a rule, must be valid for at least full six months after the visa expiry date.

Applicants for Russian visas may apply directly to the Consular Division of the Embassy of the Russian Federation.

Prior to submitting your visa application to a Russian consulate you must make an appointment on the following web-site. For applying directly at the Embassy you are required to appear in person for a visa interview at the Consular Division from 9 a.m. till noon time. Please comply with the general visa obtaining procedure and have available all the documents concerning your trip. Tourist\visa processing agencies have to submit applications only to the Russian Visa Center

All applications for Russian visas submitted in the United States must be prepared using the electronic visa application form at the website http://visa.kdmid.ru. Russian visa applications prepared using the old format or in a different way are not accepted any more

Required documents

The following documents should be submitted in order to obtain a visa according to its category

1. Completed visa application, signed by the Applicant only. Incomplete visa application forms may not be processed. Visa application must be filled out online at http://visa.kdmid.ru, and printed on paper upon completion. All questions in the application form must be answered. If a question is not applicable to the applicant, the answer should be “N/A”. Each application form must be signed by the visa applicant personally (except under-aged children).
2. Valid national passport (original only and it should have at least two clear visa pages). It must be valid no less than six months after the visa expiration date. Holders of travel documents such us: Permit to Re-Enter the United States of America, Travel Document, etc. must submit valid Permanent Resident Card (an original and a copy).
3. One picture of an applicant. Russian visa photo specifications (3,5*4,5 centimeters).
4. Money Order or Certified Bank Check made out to the Russian Consulate for visa processing. Please note that we do not accept cash, credit or debit cards, personal or company checks.
5. Invitation to Russia from a host person or organisation.