Transit

Standard single-entry transit visas are issued to citizens of Bulgaria, other countries or stateless persons entering the Russian Federation for the purposes of passing through the territory of the Russian Federation. This may be for a period of up to 10 days (by road or rail), or for a period of up to 3 days (by air), on the basis of valid tickets for departure from the Russian Federation and possession of a valid visa for entry into the next state en route, or a visa for the final port of call, or passport for that country.

Foreign citizens passing through the Russian Federation to the country of their destination in a motor car or heavy goods vehicle, are issued with a transit visa for the period of time required in order to complete the journey by the shortest routes (but in no case for a period longer than 10 days). The period of validity of the visa in such cases shall be calculated based on a theoretical average daily distance being equal to 500 km.

Transit visas may also be double-entry. The period of validity of double-entry transit visas must not exceed one month. In cases when foreign nationals need to pass through Russian territory in transit on their way to a third country, then come back through Russia more than a month later, they must apply for a single-entry transit visa and obtain a second transit visa at the Russian Embassy/Consulate in the country which was the foreign national's initial destination.

The following do not require a transit visa:

• Foreign nationals flying over the territory of the Russian Federation without changing flights in the country
• Foreign nationals flying with an international airline and changing flights in the Russian Federation, at the same airport on both the outward journey and the inbound journey (on condition that this airport has a transit area), in possession of properly completed documents confirming their right to enter the destination country, and an airline ticket with a confirmed departure date from the airport in Russia where they changed flights, no more than 24 hours after their arrival date.

Please note: if you are planning to leave a transit zone you need a visa.

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 BGN 50 (including VAT) for each visa application.

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 by only cash.

Please note that all payments made are non-refundable.

Fees for Bulgarian and EU citizens:

Fees for USA citizens:

Fees for third-country nationals and persons without citizenship:

Note: before submitting your documents, please contact our call centre to verify the document requirements, visa fees and processing time for your visa.

To apply for a standard single-entry or double-entry transit visa, the following must be provided:

1. Valid travel tickets for entry into and exit from the Russian Federation.
2. An entry visa for the country next after the Russian Federation en route, or a visa for the final port of call, or a passport from that state, or a request, stating reasons, and documents confirming the need to make the stop, unless otherwise allowed for under an international agreement. No visa is required for citizens of countries which have the right to visa-free entry into a neighbouring state or final port of call under agreements that are in place between them.
3. Original passport containing at least 2 blank pages for visas, valid for a period of 6 months after the visa expires.

4. Online application form completed on the website visa.kdmid.ru, printed and signed in person by the applicant.(When selecting the location where you are going to submit your documents, you must state the visa centre where you intend to submit your documents).

   In our visa application centres you can purchase the Form Filling Service.

5. Colour photograph - please see Photo Specifications page above.

6. Original or copy of medical insurance policy document, valid in the territory of the Russian Federation and covering the entire duration of the visa.

   Please note - The medical insurance policy must contain:

   • the date when the agreement was signed;
   • the policy number;
   • the full name of the person insured;
   • full details of the insurer;
   • the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and dual-entry visas, and the duration of the first trip for multi-entry visas;
   • a list of medical and medical-transport services provided for, including repatriation;
   • the territory must be Worldwide, the Russian Federation, or Europe including Russia;
   • the signature of the insurer.

   Only insurance policies from Russian insurance organizations or those insurance organizations which have entered into re-insurance agreements with Russian insurance organizations licensed to provide this type of insurance, or have an agreement with a service (assistance) organization which arranges medical assistance (medical and transport services), to the same extent or greater than that stipulated in the list of minimum requirements will be accepted.

   Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the information above and standard forms stamped by the insurer will not be accepted.

7. If you are not a citizen of Bulgaria additionally you have to provide the copy of your residence permit.

Please note - The Embassy and Consulates General of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria may require additional documents before issuing a visa, may invite you to an interview or extend the time required for consideration of your visa application.

Payment of the consular and service charges may be made at the visa centre.

Please note - If you are not a national of Bulgaria, you need to provide the following documents:

1. Bulgarian permanent residence permit which is valid for more than 90 days and is required from the nationals of the following countries: Albania, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Denmark, Venezuela, Haiti, Egypt, Ireland, Lesotho, Libya, Macedonia, Mali, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, Japan.

   According to the national legislation the documentary evidence for the permanent stay in Bulgaria for more than 90 days can be a student visa or work visa, a work permit, a short-term residence permit, a limited residence permit etc.

2. Bulgarian unlimited residence permit or other equivalent document are required from the nationals of the following countries: Algeria, Angola, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Syria, Somali, Chad, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia.

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 white background so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear share 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 and Consulates General of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria process visa applications and decide whether or not to issue a visa within the processing times service standards of up to 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 Embassy or Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria.

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 Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria.

In addition, some applications may take 30 days if deemed necessary by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bulgaria.

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

Please make sure to indicate which Russian Embassy or Consulate or Russia Visa Application Centre you intend to apply for your visa. Your application will be sent to the selected authority, for a decision to be made regarding your application. If you fail to do so then you may be requested to fill in a new application form.

Upon completion of your application form please print, sign it and submit to our application centre together with all support documents, payments and passport.