All foreigners visiting Russia require a Russian visa. In order to receive one, travelers need a Russian visa invitation from a Russian citizen or a company (sometimes called a voucher for tourist visas), which is then taken to a Russian Consulate, where the actual visa is issued. Within three working days of arrival in Russia, the visa should be registered by the person/organization that issued the invitation either at a hotel or at a local registration office (OVIR). Registration is important because people lacking registration may have trouble leaving the country.

Russian visa processing prices vary according to the applicant's citizenship and the Russian Consulate applied to.

Six types of Russian visas exist, but most travelers apply for one of three types:

Tourist Visas

Russian tourist visas are for stays of 30 days or less. According to Russian law it is illegal for a hotel to provide you with an invitation if you are not going to stay there but this law is broken more often than it is followed. Many agencies will issue you a visa invitation and help you register your visa even without being booked into a hotel. Your original passport with at least 2 blank pages (passport must be valid for at least 6 months after intended departure date from Russia) is necessary to apply as well as other documents.

Business Visas

Russian business visas are far more flexible than tourist visas, they are often the best choice for tourists who are visiting friends and don't need a hotel, or who are looking to spend an extended period of time in Russia, especially those who want to travel independently or extensively. You do not necessarily have to be on business in Russia to receive one. In order to apply for a Russian business visa you need an invitation from a Russian firm, which can usually be arranged through a visa agency. You do not need to plan hotel reservations or an itinerary to get a business visa.

Student Visas

Student visas are an excellent deal; they are flexible, lengthy, and entitle you to Russian prices for trains, planes, the theater, etc. The only catch is that you have to prove enrollment at a Russian institution. If you are planning to enroll in a Russian university, the school authorities can probably help you arrange the visa.

Other Visas

Other types of visas include Transit Visas, On-the-Spot Visas, and Diplomatic Visas. Transit visas can be a cheap option for travelers headed for China or Central Asia, but it's often hard to make it in and out of the country in your allotted window of time. On-the-Spot Visas are generally not available so it can be a relatively great risk depending on them - they are also quite expensive.

Immigration Cards

Immigration cards are part of a range of measures connected to the law on foreigners, which was introduced in November 2002 before many of its related rules and regulations were issued.

Officials have repeatedly stated that the aim of the law is to track illegal migrants from other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, whose citizens can travel to Russia without visas. Citizens of Belarus, which has a union agreement with Russia, are not required to obtain cards.

The card has two identical sections. The holder's name, age, sex and purpose of stay are recorded on both parts; one half stays at the point of issue, and the other is given up when the holder leaves the country. The immigration card should be carried at all times with your passport.

The newly-introduced immigration card must be filled out upon entry into Russia.

Medical Insurance

Medical insurance is required for the citizens of Israel, Finland, Estonia, as well as for the citizens of Schengen Agreement Member States (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain). Medical insurance is not required for US citizens.

Visas for Children

Children require separate visas if they travel on their own passports. Non-traveling parents must confirm in an affidavit (notarized) their consent for their children's travel. If the child's surname differs from that of his (her) parents, a copy of the child's birth certificate must be enclosed.