Transit visa
Important to Know
Transit Visas are issued to US citizens, foreign nationals, and stateless persons traveling to another country by way of the Russian Federation. Transit visas are issued for up to 10 days when traveling by car or train, and for 3 days by plane. You must provide a copy of your travel tickets, along with a valid visa or passport of your destination country.
Foreign nationals transiting the territory of the Russian Federation en route to a foreign country by means of a vehicle are issued a transit visa for the shortest time it takes to make the crossing, but not exceeding 10 days. The period of time the visa is granted for is based on covering an average traveling rate of 500km. a day.
Double-entry transit visas are valid for up to one month. In the event of a foreign national transiting through Russian territory on the way to another country, and returning to the country of origin after thirty days of entering Russia, they must apply for a new transit visa at the Russian Consulate of the original country of destination.
Foreign nations flying over Russian territory without changing planes do not require a visa.
International travelers who have paid tickets for flights leaving within 24 hours out of the same airport and not requiring the traveler to leave the transit zone to make their connecting flight, do not require a transit visa.
Please note! Since the Customs Union agreement between the Russian Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan came into effect, all flights between these countries are considered domestic flights. Hereby customs and passport control can be cleared only by one of the countries’ authorities. That is the reason why passengers, traveling to Belarus or Kazakhstan with a transit through Russia, are required to obtain a transit visa.
Visa Center in Washington
Visa Center in Washington
List of Documents Required for a Transit Visa:
- Purchased tickets indicating entry and exit from Russia;
- Entry visa to the destination country, a passport of the destination country, or a reasoned request and the documents proving the necessity of stopping, unless otherwise provided by international treaty. Visas are not required for citizens of countries that have visa free agreements;
- An original, signed passport with at least 2 blank pages marked “Visas”, that is valid for at least 6 months after the visa expiry date;
- A printed visa application filled out at visa.kdmid.ru, signed by the applicant;
- 4.1 The very first question on the electronic application site asking “Country (select the country where you will be applying for your visa)”
Be sure that you select “UNITED STATES” ; - 4.2 You must choose the Visa Center where you will be dropping off your documents.
- 4.1 The very first question on the electronic application site asking “Country (select the country where you will be applying for your visa)”
- One standard, passport-style photograph 3.5cm x 4.5cm, (colloquially known as 2" by 2" in the US; done no longer than 6 months before applying is required), with a light background, a clear view of the face, without dark glasses, or head coverings (except for persons whose religious or national traditions require it, in which case the photograph must match the passport photo);
- Payment must be in the form of a Money Order or a Cashier's Check (Bank Check) made payable to Invisa Logistic Services, LLC. If applying in person, payment by cash is also accepted.
For our mail service - click here
EU (European Union) Citizens are required to provide a copy of their health insurance policy card, along with their policy documents that is valid in the Russian Federation for the visa period, except for countries covered by bilateral agreements. If you are not EU citizens, then please ask visa center operators whether you require medical insurance. Your policy must include information about clinics covered in Russia.
Citizens of the Ireland and Iran are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
US CITIZENS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A VISA.
NON-US CITIZENS must provide a copy of their legal status in the US:
- Green Card; or
- Long-term US Visa, tourist visas not accepted.
US citizens with a second passport must apply for a visa using only their US passport; invitations must be filled out according to the US passport.
Take Note! The Russian Consulate has the right to ask for additional documentation in order to process your visa application, ask you to come in for an interview, or extend the visa processing time of your application.
Additional Requirements for Transit Visas:
To obtain a Transit visa, you must provide a copy of the visa to the second country, and a copy of your travel tickets to both countries.Transit visas must be obtained when traveling through Russia to Kazakhstan and Belarus.
- Customer Agreement (between applicant and Invisa on services rendered) (a template may be found here);
Please note that the «ID number» - is the number of your passport or driver’s license. - Notarized non-objection letter (if you applying on behalf of another person) (a template may be found here);
- Letter from company/organization (If a company/organization representative is submitting documents on behalf of their employees) (a template may be found here).
- When applying for a visa for children under 18:
1. copy of birth certificate
2. copies of both parents' US passports or copies of a foreign passport and a Green Card (or a long-term non-tourist American visa).
3. in the case of a surname change, a document confirming the surname change;
For former citizens of the USSR:
When applying for a visa it is necessary to provide documentation that you no longer possess Russian citizenship, such as:
- Copy of USSR passport with a stamp stating you left for “permanent residence abroad”, dated prior to February 6, 1992;
- Or a copy of a “Visa to Israel” issued prior to February 6, 1992;
- Or a copy of a Certificate of Naturalization issued prior to 1996;
- Or a document confirming the renunciation of your Russian citizenship;
- Or a copy of the main pages of a passport of a former USSR state, issued after February 1992;
- Or a written statement of explanation, in the case that you have no documentation (at discretion of the Consulate).
In accordance with Russian law, visas can not be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. We remind you that in accordance to Article 12 of Russian Law “On citizenship of the Russian Federation”, children born to two parents who are Russian citizens, automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In this case visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents, or obtain a Russian passport.
Australian citizens must provide a detailed autobiography either in Russian.
If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.
Visa Center in New York
Visa Center in New York
List of Documents Required for a Transit Visa:
- Purchased tickets indicating entry and exit from Russia;
- Entry visa to the destination country, a passport of the destination country, or a reasoned request and the documents proving the necessity of stopping, unless otherwise provided by international treaty. Visas are not required for citizens of countries that have visa free agreements;
- An original, signed passport with at least 2 blank pages marked “Visas”, that is valid for at least 6 months after the visa expiry date;
- A printed visa application filled out at visa.kdmid.ru, signed by the applicant;
- 4.1 The very first question on the electronic application site asking “Country (select the country where you will be applying for your visa)”
Be sure that you select “UNITED STATES” ; - 4.2 You must choose the Visa Center where you will be dropping off your documents.
- 4.1 The very first question on the electronic application site asking “Country (select the country where you will be applying for your visa)”
- One standard, passport-style photograph 3.5cm x 4.5cm, (colloquially known as 2" by 2" in the US; done no longer than 6 months before applying is required), with a light background, a clear view of the face, without dark glasses, or head coverings (except for persons whose religious or national traditions require it, in which case the photograph must match the passport photo);
- Payment must be in the form of a Money Order or a Cashier's Check (Bank Check) made payable to Invisa Logistic Services, LLC. If applying in person, payment by cash is also accepted.
For our mail service - click here
EU (European Union) Citizens are required to provide a copy of their health insurance policy card, along with their policy documents that is valid in the Russian Federation for the visa period, except for countries covered by bilateral agreements. If you are not EU citizens, then please ask visa center operators whether you require medical insurance. Your policy must include information about clinics covered in Russia.
Citizens of the Ireland and Iran are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
US CITIZENS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A VISA.
NON-US CITIZENS must provide a copy of their legal status in the US:
- Green Card; or
- Long-term US Visa, tourist visas not accepted.
US citizens with a second passport must apply for a visa using only their US passport; invitations must be filled out according to the US passport.
Take Note! The Russian Consulate has the right to ask for additional documentation in order to process your visa application, ask you to come in for an interview, or extend the visa processing time of your application.
Additional Requirements for Transit Visas:
To obtain a Transit visa, you must provide a copy of the visa to the second country, and a copy of your travel tickets to both countries.Transit visas must be obtained when traveling through Russia to Kazakhstan and Belarus.
- Customer Agreement (between applicant and Invisa on services rendered) (a template may be found here);
Please note that the «ID number» - is the number of your passport or driver’s license. - Notarized non-objection letter (if you applying on behalf of another person) (a template may be found here);
- Letter from company/organization (If a company/organization representative is submitting documents on behalf of their employees) (a template may be found here).
- When applying for a visa for children under 18:
1. copy of birth certificate
2. copies of both parents' US passports or copies of a foreign passport and a Green Card (or a long-term non-tourist American visa).
3. in the case of a surname change, a document confirming the surname change;
For former citizens of the USSR:
When applying for a visa it is necessary to provide documentation that you no longer possess Russian citizenship, such as:
- Copy of USSR passport with a stamp stating you left for “permanent residence abroad”, dated prior to February 6, 1992;
- Or a copy of a “Visa to Israel” issued prior to February 6, 1992;
- Or a copy of a Certificate of Naturalization issued prior to 1996;
- Or a document confirming the renunciation of your Russian citizenship;
- Or a copy of the main pages of a passport of a former USSR state, issued after February 1992;
- Or a written statement of explanation, in the case that you have no documentation (at discretion of the Consulate).
In accordance with Russian law, visas can not be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. We remind you that in accordance to Article 12 of Russian Law “On citizenship of the Russian Federation”, children born to two parents who are Russian citizens, automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In this case visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents, or obtain a Russian passport.
Australian citizens must provide a detailed autobiography either in Russian.
If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.
Visa Center in San Francisco
Visa Center in San Francisco
List of Documents Required for a Transit Visa:
- Purchased tickets indicating entry and exit from Russia;
- Entry visa to the destination country, a passport of the destination country, or a reasoned request and the documents proving the necessity of stopping, unless otherwise provided by international treaty. Visas are not required for citizens of countries that have visa free agreements;
- An original, signed passport with at least 2 blank pages marked “Visas”, that is valid for at least 6 months after the visa expiry date;
- A printed visa application filled out at visa.kdmid.ru, signed by the applicant;
- 4.1 The very first question on the electronic application site asking “Country (select the country where you will be applying for your visa)”
Be sure that you select “UNITED STATES” ; - 4.2 You must choose the Visa Center where you will be dropping off your documents. (When applying at our office in San Francisco, please choose Visa Center New York).
- 4.1 The very first question on the electronic application site asking “Country (select the country where you will be applying for your visa)”
- One standard, passport-style photograph 3.5cm x 4.5cm, (colloquially known as 2" by 2" in the US; done no longer than 6 months before applying is required), with a light background, a clear view of the face, without dark glasses, or head coverings (except for persons whose religious or national traditions require it, in which case the photograph must match the passport photo);
- Payment must be in the form of a Money Order or a Cashier's Check (Bank Check) made payable to Invisa Logistic Services, LLC. If applying in person, payment by cash is also accepted.
For our mail service - click here
EU (European Union) Citizens are required to provide a copy of their health insurance policy card, along with their policy documents that is valid in the Russian Federation for the visa period, except for countries covered by bilateral agreements. If you are not EU citizens, then please ask visa center operators whether you require medical insurance. Your policy must include information about clinics covered in Russia.
Citizens of the Ireland and Iran are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
US CITIZENS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A VISA.
NON-US CITIZENS must provide a copy of their legal status in the US:
- Green Card; or
- Long-term US Visa, tourist visas not accepted.
US citizens with a second passport must apply for a visa using only their US passport; invitations must be filled out according to the US passport.
Take Note! The Russian Consulate has the right to ask for additional documentation in order to process your visa application, ask you to come in for an interview, or extend the visa processing time of your application.
Additional Requirements for Transit Visas:
To obtain a Transit visa, you must provide a copy of the visa to the second country, and a copy of your travel tickets to both countries.Transit visas must be obtained when traveling through Russia to Kazakhstan and Belarus.
- Customer Agreement (between applicant and Invisa on services rendered) (a template may be found here);
Please note that the «ID number» - is the number of your passport or driver’s license. - Notarized non-objection letter (if you applying on behalf of another person) (a template may be found here);
- Letter from company/organization (If a company/organization representative is submitting documents on behalf of their employees) (a template may be found here).
- When applying for a visa for children under 18:
1. copy of birth certificate
2. copies of both parents' US passports or copies of a foreign passport and a Green Card (or a long-term non-tourist American visa).
3. in the case of a surname change, a document confirming the surname change;
For former citizens of the USSR:
When applying for a visa it is necessary to provide documentation that you no longer possess Russian citizenship, such as:
- Copy of USSR passport with a stamp stating you left for “permanent residence abroad”, dated prior to February 6, 1992;
- Or a copy of a “Visa to Israel” issued prior to February 6, 1992;
- Or a copy of a Certificate of Naturalization issued prior to 1996;
- Or a document confirming the renunciation of your Russian citizenship;
- Or a copy of the main pages of a passport of a former USSR state, issued after February 1992;
- Or a written statement of explanation, in the case that you have no documentation (at discretion of the Consulate).
In accordance with Russian law, visas can not be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. We remind you that in accordance to Article 12 of Russian Law “On citizenship of the Russian Federation”, children born to two parents who are Russian citizens, automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In this case visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents, or obtain a Russian passport.
Australian citizens must provide a detailed autobiography either in Russian.
If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.
Visa Center in Houston
Visa Center in Houston
List of Documents Required for a Transit Visa:
- Purchased tickets indicating entry and exit from Russia;
- Entry visa to the destination country, a passport of the destination country, or a reasoned request and the documents proving the necessity of stopping, unless otherwise provided by international treaty. Visas are not required for citizens of countries that have visa free agreements;
- An original, signed passport with at least 2 blank pages marked “Visas”, that is valid for at least 6 months after the visa expiry date and a copy of it’s vital page;
- A printed visa application filled out at visa.kdmid.ru, signed by the applicant;
- 4.1 The very first question on the electronic application site asking “Country (select the country where you will be applying for your visa)”
Be sure that you select “UNITED STATES” ; - 4.2 You must choose the Visa Center where you will be dropping off your documents.
- 4.1 The very first question on the electronic application site asking “Country (select the country where you will be applying for your visa)”
- One standard, passport-style photograph 3.5cm x 4.5cm, (colloquially known as 2" by 2" in the US; done no longer than 6 months before applying is required), with a light background, a clear view of the face, without dark glasses, or head coverings (except for persons whose religious or national traditions require it, in which case the photograph must match the passport photo);
- Payment must be in the form of a Money Order or a Cashier's Check (Bank Check) made payable to Invisa Logistic Services, LLC. If applying in person, payment by cash is also accepted.
For our mail service - click here
EU (European Union) Citizens are required to provide a copy of their health insurance policy card, along with their policy documents that is valid in the Russian Federation for the visa period, except for countries covered by bilateral agreements. If you are not EU citizens, then please ask visa center operators whether you require medical insurance. Your policy must include information about clinics covered in Russia.
Citizens of the Ireland and Iran are required to furnish proof of medical insurance that is valid for their entire visa period in the Russian Federation.
US CITIZENS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A VISA.
NON-US CITIZENS must provide a copy of their legal status in the US:
- Green Card; or
- Long-term US Visa, tourist visas not accepted.
US citizens with a second passport must apply for a visa using only their US passport; invitations must be filled out according to the US passport.
Take Note! The Russian Consulate has the right to ask for additional documentation in order to process your visa application, ask you to come in for an interview, or extend the visa processing time of your application.
Additional Requirements for Transit Visas:
To obtain a Transit visa, you must provide a copy of the visa to the second country, and a copy of your travel tickets to both countries.Transit visas must be obtained when traveling through Russia to Kazakhstan and Belarus.
- Customer Agreement (between applicant and Invisa on services rendered) (a template may be found here);
Please note that the «ID number» - is the number of your passport or driver’s license. - Notarized non-objection letter (if you applying on behalf of another person) (a template may be found here);
- Letter from company/organization (If a company/organization representative is submitting documents on behalf of their employees) (a template may be found here).
- When applying for a visa for children under 18:
1. copy of birth certificate
2. copies of both parents' US passports or copies of a foreign passport and a Green Card (or a long-term non-tourist American visa).
3. in the case of a surname change, a document confirming the surname change;
For former citizens of the USSR:
When applying for a visa it is necessary to provide documentation that you no longer possess Russian citizenship, such as:
- Copy of USSR passport with a stamp stating you left for “permanent residence abroad”, dated prior to February 6, 1992;
- Or a copy of a “Visa to Israel” issued prior to February 6, 1992;
- Or a copy of a Certificate of Naturalization issued prior to 1996;
- Or a document confirming the renunciation of your Russian citizenship;
- Or a copy of the main pages of a passport of a former USSR state, issued after February 1992;
- Or a written statement of explanation, in the case that you have no documentation (at discretion of the Consulate).
In accordance with Russian law, visas can not be issued to Russian citizens with expired passports. We remind you that in accordance to Article 12 of Russian Law “On citizenship of the Russian Federation”, children born to two parents who are Russian citizens, automatically gain Russian citizenship, regardless of the place of birth. In this case visas are not issued, and they must apply for Russian citizenship, or have their information written into the passport of one of their parents, or obtain a Russian passport.
Australian citizens must provide a detailed autobiography either in Russian.
If applying for a minor, please provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, in which it is evident that at least of the parents is not a citizen of the Russian Federation.
Rates and terms
Walk-in Fee
Consulate Fees are applicable to US citizens only
Number of Entries |
Consular Fee |
Visa Center |
Totals for In-Person |
Rush--1-2 weeks |
$198 | $ 100 | $298 |
Regular-3-4 weeks |
$198 | $ 50 | $248 |
Payment is accepted in the form of a Money Order or Cashier's Check made payable to «Invisa Logistic Services, LLC», for those applying in person, cash is also accepted.
Please Note!
* For information regarding Same-Day Express delivery of your documents to the Consulate, click here
** Additional information on documents required when applying by mail maybe found in Mail Service
Please Note!
Due to the closing of the San Francisco Consulate, when applying in person at our Visa Center in San Francisco, there will be an additional fee of $45 for the documents to be processed through our offices in New York, Houston, and Washington.
Please Note!
Additional mailing fee for Alaska and Hawai'i + $10
Additional mailing fee for Saturday Delivery + $20
Additional fee for international shipping + $45
Non-US citizens or stateless persons must contact a Call Center Agent to ascertain the Consulate Fee.
Consular fees and processing times for foreign nationals and stateless persons are determined by the Consulates of the Russian Federation.
Please Note!
In the case of outright denial of your application by the Russian Consulate, the Consular Fee and the Processing Fee's are non-refundable.
Fill in the visa application form
To fill in the questionnaire, please follow this link visa.kdmid.ru
Service for completing the electronic visa application form
Russian Visa Application Center offers additional service for completing the electronic visa application form when submitting documents to the Visa Center, or correction on behalf of the applicant (authorized representative) of the mistakes made on the application form.
Visa application form is filled on the basis of documents and information submitted by the applicant, and is signed by the applicant personally.
Our Visa Centers can complete ($60) a visa application and make corrections ($30) on your behalf. Please ask the Operator of the Russian Visa Application Center about this service, when you apply for a visa.
Services
Dear Applicants!
The Russian Visa Center offers it's clients the following services:
- Document preparation and return to avoid errors;
- Delivery of documents to the Russian Consulate for visa issue;
- Returning the completed documents to the applicant;
- Assisting with questions regarding the visa process.
Dear Applicants!
The Russian Visa Center offers its clients the following additional services:
Important to know!
- Requesting any of the aforementioned services does not affect the visa review time at the Consular level, and does not guarantee the approval of the visa.
- The cost of any selected services is in addition to the standard service fee.
- All aforementioned services are provided at the voluntary request of the applicant.
- Please familiarize yourself with all terms and conditions of the selected services prior to requesting them.