In the previous article we looked at the business visa. Now it is the turn of the tourist visa. “I am going to see Moscow, so I need a tourist visa.” Logical? Yes. But a visa becomes a tourist one not because you want it to, but because of the document you hold in your hands.
What it is for
Entry as a tourist: leisure, sightseeing, getting to know the country. Visiting a friend on such a visa is not possible; that is what the private visa is for (see our previous articles).
1. What serves as the ground
- A confirmation of the reception of a tourist from a Russian tourist organisation. It must be listed in the unified federal register of tour operators. The classic way
- A confirmation of a booking in a hotel or other accommodation. But not in any hotel: only in one listed in the unified list of classified hotels, ski slopes and beaches. A hotel you picked by its reviews may well be missing from it
And one more “but”: the second way is open only to citizens of the countries on a special list (Government Order No. 372-r, 20 countries). For everyone else only the tour operator remains.
2. Validity of the visa
Single and double entry: up to 3 months. Multiple entry: up to 6 months (para. 30 of Government Decree No. 335). You may stay in Russia for no more than 90 days in every 180. The visa says so: “valid 90 days out of every 180”.
For a hotel booking the validity is limited by the booking dates. If you booked for 5 days, you get a visa for those dates, not “in reserve” 🙂
3. IMPORTANT
A group tourist visa exists in the Decree, but in practice it is rather a relic. If someone promises you “a group visa for the whole company”, find out what exactly is meant and do not buy tickets in advance.
4. Processing time
As a rule, up to 20 working days from the moment ALL documents have been submitted. A multiple entry visa will not be issued in less than 10 working days. Urgent processing within 3 working days is possible only for single and double entry visas, on payment of the urgent fee.
5. An important nuance
At the interview the consul may ask you to present proof that the tourist services have really been paid for: accommodation, transport, excursions, tickets. So keep the paid documents at hand, not only a nice booking.
Our advice
First find out whether your country is on the list for a hotel booking. If not, choose a tour operator from the register. And check the dates: the visa is tied to them, not to your plans.
A completely different procedure applies to tourist visas for citizens of 13 migration-risk countries. We will write about it next.
If you have questions about the tourist visa, write to us, and we will advise.