If you are planning a vacation abroad, then you know that it is essential that you get your travel documentation in place before you travel. Doing this allows you to move easily through immigration and give you the most amount of time in your destination.
Many people that contact Byevisa need advice on getting a Russian visa for US citizens. This is because they are keen to see all this country has to offer for themselves. Imagine visiting Moscow and seeing the Kremlin up close or heading to St Petersburg and catching a glimpse of the Winter Palace in all its glory.
Whatever you are most excited about, do not let the process of applying for a visa for Russia for US citizens put you off! Read on to find out what you need to do and how Byevisa can help you navigate the process.
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Do I Need A Russia Visa for US Citizens?
If you are planning a trip to Russia, you need to apply for a Russian tourist visa for US citizens if you want to be permitted entry to the country. To do this, you need to apply directly to the Russian Embassy by completing an online application form and then submitting the evidence required to the embassy in the US.
Part of the evidence required is to provide an Invitation Letter from a Russian source. The good news is that Byevisa can offer this service to help you obtain the letter you need for your application.
Applying for a Tourist Invitation Letter
Getting your Tourist Invitation Letter has never been easier with the Byevisa service! You simply complete our application form with the following information:
- Your current email address.
- The dates of your trip.
- Your contact number.
- Your first, middle and surname.
- Your date of birth, place of birth and gender.
- Your nationality and current country of residence.
- Your passport number.
- The issue and expiry date on your passport.
- Whether you need a single or double entry letter.
- The embassy you are going to submit your application to.
- Proof of your accommodation.
- A scan of the last page of your passport.
Once you have filled in your information, you need to pay the fee and processing charge to complete the online application and get the documentation sent to your email.
Russia Visa Requirements for US Citizens
As well as organising your Tourist Invitation Letter, you also need to adhere to all the other requirements in order to be issued with a visa to Russia for US citizens.
To make this easy for you, we have listed the requirements you will need to adhere to below. You must take all these documents with you to the embassy to submit your application:
- A completed application form.
- A US passport that has validity for 6 months after the date you exit Russia.
- A standard passport photo.
- Your visa application fee.
- Confirmation of your accommodation.
- Letter of invitation.
In addition to this, you may be asked to attend an interview at the embassy. If this applies to you, then you may need to take some or all of the following:
- A recent bank statement.
- A statement from your employer that confirms your wages for the last year, 6 months or 1 month (the length will be made clear in your interview request).
- A copy of your medical insurance that covers your trip in full.
- Proof that you own a property in the US (if applicable).
- Information about who is part of your family.
Cost of Russian Visa for US Citizens
Many tourists get in touch to ask us how much is a Russian visa for US citizens? The reality is that there is a range of costs that you need to factor in when organising your travel documents. We have listed the prices for you below:
Single-Entry Visa – 160 USD.
Double-Entry Visa – 160 USD.
Multiple-Entry Visa – 160 USD.
Invitation letters have no associated government fee, but there is a cost for using the Byevisa service to obtain them. The prices for our Standard service is as follows:
Tourist Invitation Letter – 30 days, Single-Entry – 20 USD.
Tourist Invitation Letter – 30 days, Double-Entry – 30 USD.
Business Invitation Letter – 3 years, Multiple-Entry – 200 USD.
Byevisa knows that different people have different requirements, and so you can choose from 3 different processing speeds when you apply for your Invitation Letter: Standard, Rapid or Highly Rapid. You can get your business document in as little as 1 business day, or your tourist document in just 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope you have enough information about the Russian visa for American citizens, but we know that you may have other questions that you need answered before you head off on your travels. Take a moment to read through some of the most commonly asked questions and their answers below.
Is It Safe For Americans To Travel to Russia?
Many people are concerned that travelling as an American tourist leaves you vulnerable to potential dangers. You need to take sensible precautions when travelling in the country. Make sure you keep all your personal belongings secure and avoid carrying lots of cash so that you do not become a target of street criminals. For example, you might consider locking your passport and other valuables in your hotel room’s safe, so that they’re secure while you’re out and about.
How Long Does It Take To Fly To the Country?
Flight times vary to this country, but the fastest flight is 9 hours in total from New York to Moscow. There are many flight companies that complete this journey from America, leaving you with the opportunity to find the one that meets your date and budget requirements.
What Are The Health Requirements for Russian Visa for US Citizens?
Any American tourist travelling to this country needs to have full medical insurance that covers the entirety of their trip. This insurance needs to be usable when abroad and cover all treatment, medicines, and repatriation.
More Information On Travelling To Russia
Although Americans are not currently eligible for the Russia eVisa, you can learn more about this travel authorisation on our Russian tourist visa page.
If you want more information and advice on travelling to this country, click here.