REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A RUSSIAN PRIVATE VISA
(to visiting your relatives or friends – Russian citizens)

1. These requirements apply to Canadian citizens only.

Additional requirements can apply to non-Canadians. Further information for non-Canadians can be sent by e-mail upon your request.

2. The consulate does not provide the information on the status of visa processing by phone.

Please send appropriate request by e-mail with the name of the applicant and his date of birth.

3. In accordance with Russian laws citizens of the Russian Federation regardless of any other citizenship they have must travel to Russia on valid Russian documents only.

4. All the paper work has to be submitted in person.

In meanwhile the applicants unable to be present in our visa section in person are recommended to rely on services provided by visa agencies.

To obtain a visa you should submit to the Consular Division:

1. Original of completed visa application form with attached photo, one per person.

Application form must be filled out in capital letters using a black point-pen or typing machine or computer. Writing must be legible. Your photo must meet following requirements: the frame size must be 35mm X 45 mm (1 3/8’’ X 1 3/4’’); the photos must be clear, well defined and taken against a plain white or light-coloured background; The photo must be glued on the form strictly at reserved space.

2. Passport or other travel document in original.

At least two pages of the passport should be free of any notes, stamps and visas.

3. One photocopy of information pages of the passport.

4. A letter from yourself explaining who is travelling, where, when and for what purpose.

5. Invitation that is to be arranged by your hosts through the local office of the Federal Migration Service (FMS) in Russia and to be submitted in original.

The allowed period of stay is shown on the document and can not exceed 90 days.

6. In a case of an emergency (unexpected illness, death, etc. of close relatives) a private visa can be obtained within several hours upon the submission of a certified document from a Russian hospital or a copy of a death certificate.

Documents confirming relationship are required.

CONSULAR SERVICE FEES (IN CANADIAN DOLLARS), PER PERSON

Payment of the visa fees must be exact, made by certified cheque, money order or bank draft payable to the EMBASSY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Non certified cheques, cash, credit and debit cards are NOT acceptable.
VlSA FEES ARE NON REFUNDABLE

Visa processing starts only after the complete required set of document is submitted.

When having received your visa please check it for mistakes (passport number, date of birth, validity) and, if necessary, return it to the consulate for corrections.

The Consulate will not be responsible for any mistakes in the visas, which were not brought to our attention prior to your departure from Canada.

Please, note that visas cannot be changed or extended. If your travel plans changed after the visa issuance you have to reapply for a new one.

Any visa applicant may be interviewed by a consular officer if necessary.

Processing time, requirements and fees are subject to change without notice.