Consul-Bot Blog: Russian Visas for Foreigners
Plain-language guides to getting a visa to Russia: types of visas, invitations, documents and the most common reasons for refusal.
Business Visa to Russia for Foreigners: Grounds, Validity and the 90 out of 180 Days Rule
What a business visa to Russia is for, which three grounds can support it, how long it is valid, how the 90 out of 180 days rule works for multiple entry visas, and the key nuances before you apply.
Visa to Russia for a Close Relative of a Russian Citizen: a Statement Instead of an Invitation
How a foreign relative of a Russian citizen gets a visa to Russia without an MVD invitation: who counts as a close relative, how the statement is submitted, proof of kinship, visa validity and the 90 out of 180 days rule.
Visa to Russia for Foreigners: Types of Visas and the Grounds for Issuing One
How a foreigner can travel to Russia: visa-free, with an e-visa or with a regular visa. Visa categories and types, number of entries, and the grounds without which a consulate will not issue a visa.
Private Visa to Russia for Foreigners: the Invitation, Purposes of Travel and Processing Time
How a foreigner gets a private visa to Russia: who issues the invitation, the purposes of travel (guest and private), processing time, the urgent visa and the 180-day residence rule.
Refused a Russian Visa or Documents Not Accepted: What Is the Difference
A refusal to accept documents and a refusal to issue a Russian visa are two different things. What is most often not accepted from foreigners: passport, application form, photo, insurance, the ground for the visa.
Visa to Russia: Why the Consulate Refuses and How to Avoid It
A real-life example of the mistakes in the visa application form and documents that most often make a consulate refuse a visa, and how to avoid them.