Types of Visas to Russia: Choosing the right one

Your type of visa should be chosen more carefully than your next mail-order bride. Your visa will be issued on the basis of your visa support (invitation) and will cover you for that period only. If you think that you may want to stay in Russia longer, bear in mind that visa extensions are not easily granted. In fact they are not granted at all and if you overstay, expect to be turned back for a re-application process. It will cost you time and a serious money.

Now, watch this space: if you are a tourist and you are only planning to stay for a short period of time you will need a short-term single entry tourist visa. These are easily bought on line and faxed to you directly. However this type of visa will only cover you for 14 days. If you are planning to stay longer you will need either a private invitation from a private individual or a business invitation from a tourist or other company that will grant you a business visa. Depending on whether you are planning to stay put or travel and may be pop in and out of Russia you need either a single entry or a multiple entry business visa. You may also apply for a double entry tourist or business visas, granted you have the correct letter of invitation.

If you are not a tourist and are going to seek employment in Russia, you will require a work permit. This can only be obtained outside Russia in the country of your residency. The bulk of the process of getting a work permit lays with your prospective employer but you can help by getting the required documents to the employing company on time.