Tourist Visa

Standard tourist visas are issued to citizens of France, other countries or stateless persons entering the Russian Federation for short-term stays in the country for the purpose of tourism (going to cultural events, excursions, sight-seeing) on the base of a confirmation that the foreign tourist is going to be hosted by a Russian tour operator.

The maximum validity period of a tourist visa is no more than 30 days.

A tourist visa entitles visitors to enter the country to conduct brief business negotiations, attend exhibitions, auctions and medical consultations or examinations. In such cases, in order to confirm that the foreign tourist is expected, 'tourism with a special purpose' should be put in the field 'purpose of visit', and the visa will be issued for the number of days required in order to attend the event, as shown in the accommodation confirmation (provided this is no longer than 30 days).

Tourist visas to the Russian Federation are either single-entry or double-entry.

Double-entry tourist visas are issued to foreign nationals only in cases when, according to the documents, the tourist plans to visit other states neighbouring Russia during their visit to the country (the “near abroad” (CIS, Baltic states)) or states from which they will return through Russian territory (e.g. China or Mongolia). The route must be stated on the tourist's ticket (or the foreign tourist’s accommodation confirmation, issued by the Russian organization hosting the tourist).

Please be reminded that a visa can be accepted, modified or refused by the Embassy of the Russian Federation or may be subject to additional verifications.

Please note that each visa application needs to be accompanied by a visa fee for the amount applicable to particular visa type. Visa fees vary depending on the nationality of the applicant, visa type, number of entries and processing time.

Please note that in addition to the visa fee applicants are required to pay the Russia Visa Application Centre Service Charge of EUR 30 (including VAT) for each visa application. An additional EUR 30 (including VAT) will be charged for provision of Express Visa Services.

The Russian Visa Application Centre accepts payments for visa fees, mandatory VFS Service Charge and optional Value Added Services, which the applicant may choose to purchase.

Payments can be made at the Russian Visa Application Centre in Euros by cash or by major Credit or Debit Cards.

Please note that all payments made are non-refundable.

Visa fees for French Citizens and Citizens of the European Union

Note - If you are a stateless person or not a citizen of France, please find out about your visa fees by contacting our Call-Centre operators at the Russian Visa Application Centre.

Visa fees and processing time for citizens of other countries and stateless persons are calculated according to the”Tariff for consular fees, charged by Consular institutions of the Russian Federation”.

Kindly print the check list which corresponds with the visa category you wish to apply for and attach it with your application. It must be filled in and signed. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Print Tourist Visa Checklist

Note: The photographs submitted must meet with these specifications.

Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:

• 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).
• Please stick the Photograph on the Visa Application Form.

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete.

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in France processes visa applications and decide whether or not to issue a visa within the processing times service standards (usually between 4 and 10 working days). This is subject to a complete set of documents being provided and consular fees paid.

The processing times may vary according to the decision of the Consular establishment.

In emergency cases an urgent visa application may be submitted. In such cases the processing time can be shortened to just 3 working days or less, if an order to that effect has been given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, the Federal Migration Service of Russia or the Ambassador or Consul General of the Russian Federation.

In addition, some applications may take 30 days if deemed necessary by the Consulate.

To complete the online visa application form, please go Here.