Visas

Please schedule an appointment at the Consular Section here.

Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

Business visas are issued to citizens of foreign countries and stateless persons entering the Russian Federation with business purposes (conducting negotiations, holding seminars, conferences or meetings with Russian business partners).

This visa is issued on the basis of an invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia) OR of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA of Russia) or on the basis of an inviting letter from an organisation based in Russia (this last option is only valid for countries that signed visa facilitation agreements with Russia).

Business visas can be single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry. Single-entry and double-entry visas can be valid for a period up to 3 months. Multiple-entry business visas are normally valid for a period up to 1 year. In accordance with Russia-EU Visa facilitation Agreement multiple-entry business visas can be valid for a period up to 5 years.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons may not stay in the Russian Federation with a multiple-entry business visa for more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

List of required documents

1. Visa invitation of one of three kinds:

- an invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia) – in a paper form (the original is required) or an electronic form. Ask for this kind of invitation from your Russian business partner;

Attention to the Russian transliteration of the name and surname of the invited foreign citizen (in case of the differences the Visa would not be issued);

- a telex invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA of Russia). This type of invitation can be requested by your Russian business partner at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (if available). Such invitations are sent to the Consular section directly by the Ministry, the applicant is required to provide only the number (6 digits) of the invitation;

- a copy of a direct inviting letter: a written request of your Russian business partner signed by the Head of the Russian inviting company, with a stamp. Such an invitation shall be printed on the official paper of the Russian host organisation. If necessary, the Consular section may request the original of the inviting letter. See the specimen.

2. Travel passport (original). The passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages and must be valid 6 months after the last day of the required visa validity;

3. Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant .

4. 1 recent passport photo. The photo must be glued (not stapled!) on the visa application form;

5. Medical insurance policy document (copy or original) issued by a foreign insurance company or a Russian insurance company. This document is required only from the citizens of all EU countries (except Great Britain), Iran, Iseland State, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Swiss. This document must contain:

- the date when the agreement was signed;

- the policy number;

- the full name of the insured person;

- full details of the insurer;

- the dates of validity: the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and double-entry visas, and the duration of the first trip for multiple-entry visas;

- the list of medical services covered by the insurance, the repatriation must be included;

- the geographical area coverage: worldwide or including the Russian Federation or Europe including the Russian Federation;

- the insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros;

- the signature of the insurer.

Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the above information and standard forms stamped by the insurer are not accepted.

Insurance cards are not accepted;

6. Original and copy of a valid Malta permanent residence permit (not required if the applicant is a citizen of the EU or the USA).

The Russian Consulate may request additional documents before issuing a visa, invite any applicant to a personal interview or extend the time required for the visa consideration.

To be noted that the law of the Russian Federation empowers the Consular section of the Embassy to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

Additional requirements for a multiple-entry business visa

If the applicant wishes to apply for a 1 year multiple-entry business visa on basis of a direct inviting letter in accordance with the Russia-EU Visa facilitation Agreement he will be required to prove the visit of Russia during the previous 12 months. Transit visits are not considered.

In this case a copy of that visa with stamps of the Russian border service are to be submitted to the Consular section together with the visa application.

Important information

Processing time

The processing time for the issuance of a business visa in the Consular section depends on the invitation:

- for invitations of the Russian MVD: 3 working days – 20 calendar days;

- for telex invitations of the Russian MFA: 1 working day – 5-7 calendar days;

- for inviting letters from organizations based in Russia:

- single-entry and double-entry visas: 3 working days-20 calendar days,

- multiple-entry visas: only 10 calendar days (may not be reduced).

General rules

1. The Consular section is authorized to give visas only for the Russian Federation.

2. The Consular section does not accept any visa documents sent by post and never sends passports with visas by post.

3. The visa application is to be introduced not later than 5 calendar days and not earlier than 3 months before the trip to the Russian Federation.

4. All payments in the Consular section must be done only in cash. Bank cards money and other means of payment are not accepted.

5. The fee paid for a visa is not refundable.

6. When obtaining a passport with a visa, we recommend that you carefully check the personal data specified in the visa.

7. The law of the Russian Federation empowers the Consular section to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

8. Before you make an appointment we recommend you to read the information about the required documents first.

9. A foreign citizen or a stateless person (who does not have the Russian citizenship) must be present in the Consular section in person. The applicant is authorized to apply for a visa for himself and his/her children under 18 y.o. for a joint trip to Russia (for the same dates). Documents proving the degree of relationship are required (originals from the Gemeente). The applications on behalf of a third person (even with the power of attorney) are not accepted.

10. VERY IMPORTANT ! The visa procedure that is underway in the Russian consulate may be cancelled (stopped) by the applicant. For that the candidate for a visa has to apply with a written statement to the organisation where he has submitted his/her visa documents. All paid fees in that case are not refundable. The passport without a visa will be returned to its holder not earlier than after 2-3 working days.

11. VERY IMPORTANT ! ARE YOU BANNED TO ENTER THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION?

In case of non-payment in due time by a foreign citizen during his/her stay in the Russian Federation of customs duties and taxes, including the cases of temporary import of vehicles for personal use into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union, the competent authorities of the Russian Federation may take a decision to prohibit the entry of such foreign citizen to the Russian Federation.

We are pleased to inform you that the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Malta has resumed its operation. Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

A single/double (up to 3 months) or a multiple-entry (up to 6 months) tourist visa is issued to citizens of foreign countries and stateless persons entering the Russian Federation for a short-term stay with the purpose of tourism (going to cultural events, excursions, sight-seeing) on the base of a confirmation (the so called «tourist confirmation») that the foreign tourist will be hosted by a Russian tourist operator.

The total period of stay of a foreign tourist in Russia on a multiple-entry tourist visa cannot exceed 90 days during each 180-day period. The medical insurance policy must cover the period of the first entry of a foreign tourist, which is confirmed by round-trip tickets.

Attention! Before applying for a visa check the Reference number of the tourist organization in the unified federal register of tour operators.

List of required documents

1. Tourist confirmation (fax or scan, originals are not required). This document confirms that the candidate for a visa will be hosted as a tourist by a Russian tourist operator, which is registered in the Unified register of tourist operators of the Russian Federation. The tourist operator must be registered and have a valid reference number in the Russian Ministry of foreign Affairs;

A single-entry tourist visa for up to 30 calendar days could be issued on the basis of booking confirmation in a hotel/ski trails/beaches (with the abovementioned reference number).

2. Travel passport (original). The passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages and must be valid 6 months after the last day of the required visa validity;

3. Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant.

4. 1 recent passport photo. The photo must be glued (not stapled!) on the visa application form;

5. Medical insurance policy document (copy or original) issued by a foreign insurance company or a Russian insurance company. This document is required only from the citizens of all EU countries (except Great Britain), China, Iran, Iseland State, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Swiss.

This document must contain:

- the date when the agreement was signed;

- the policy number;

- the full name of the insured person;

- full details of the insurer;

- the dates of validity: the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and double-entry visas, and the duration of the first trip for multiple-entry visas;

- the list of medical services covered by the insurance, the repatriation must be included;

- the geographical area coverage: worldwide or including the Russian Federation or Europe including the Russian Federation;

- the insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros;

- the signature of the insurer.

Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the above information and standard forms stamped by the insurer are not accepted.

Insurance cards are not accepted;

6. Original and copy of a valid Malta permanent residence permit (not required if the applicant is a citizen of the EU or the USA).

The Russian Consulate may request additional documents before issuing a visa, invite any applicant to a personal interview or extend the time required for the visa consideration.

To be noted that the law of the Russian Federation empowers the Russian Consulate to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

It's important to know.

A Tourist visa empowers its holder to also conduct in the Russian Federation brief business negotiations, attend exhibitions, auctions and medical consultations or examinations. In such cases, a «tourism with a special purpose» should be mentioned in the field «purpose of visit» of the tourist confirmation, and the visa will be issued for the exact number of days required in order to attend the event, as shown in the confirmation (provided that it is no longer than 30 days).

The standard maximum validity period of a single-entry or a double-entry tourist visa is 30 days.

The maximum validity period of a multiple-entry tourist visa issued on the basis of bilateral agreements of the Russian Federation with Austria, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, India, Japan and Spain is 6 months (the authorized stay is 90 days at one trip or in total, for India – each stay not more than 30 days).

According to the Russia-USA bilateral visa agreement the US citizens having a standart set of a tourist visa documents may request multiple-entry tourist visas for 3 years (with each authorized stay of 180 days).

Tourist visas to the Russian Federation are either single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry.

Double-entry tourist visas (for no longer than 30 days) are issued to foreign nationals only in cases when, according to the documents, the tourist plans to visit other states neighboring Russia during his visit to the country (the “near abroad” (CIS, Baltic states)) or states from which they will return through Russian territory (e.g. China or Mongolia). The route must be stated on the tourist's ticket (or the tourist confirmation, issued by the Russian organization hosting the tourist).

Multiple-entry tourist visas may be issued only in accordance with bilateral agreements of the Russian Federation with Austria, Estonia, Greece, India, Japan, Hungary, Spain and the USA.

Processing time

The Article 7 of the Russia-EU visa facilitation Agreement authorizes the Russian consulate to extend the time processing of a visa application up to 30 working days in individual cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed.

The processing time starts from the moment all the necessary documents are duly provided, accepted and the visa fee is paid.

General rules

1. The Consular section is authorized to give visas only for the Russian Federation.

2. The Consular section does not accept any visa documents sent by post and never sends passports with visas by post.

3. The visa application is to be introduced not later than 5 calendar days and not earlier than 3 months before the trip to the Russian Federation.

4. All payments in the Consular section must be done only in cash. Bank cards money and other means of payment are not accepted.

5. The fee paid for a visa is not refundable.

6. When obtaining a passport with a visa, we recommend that you carefully check the personal data specified in the visa.

7. The law of the Russian Federation empowers the Consular section to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

8. Before you make an appointment we recommend you to read the information about the required documents first.

11. VERY IMPORTANT ! ARE YOU BANNED TO ENTER THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION?

We are pleased to inform you that the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Malta has resumed its operation. Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

Diplomatic visas are issued by a decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on the basis of a verbal note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic or consular mission of a foreign state or permanent mission of an international organisation in the Russian Federation, provided to the Russian Ministry of foreign affairs or to a Russian Embassy.

Diplomatic visas are issued to the following foreign citizens holding a diplomatic passport:

a) heads of foreign states, heads of governments of foreign states, members of foreign official delegations, family members of these persons, and their accompanying persons, unless other rules are not established by an international treaty of the Russian Federation;

b) diplomatic agents (permanent staff members) of diplomatic or consular missions, employees of permanent missions of international organisations in the Russian Federation, whose diplomatic status is recognized by the Russian Federation, unless other rules are not established by an international treaty of the Russian Federation, family members (spouses) of the said persons, as well as minor children (under 18 years old) of the above-mentioned foreign nationals living together with their parents, unmarried major children – students of Russian universities (until they reach the age of 25 years old), as well as children under the care of parents who need a constant care for medical reasons;

c) persons going with official purposes to foreign diplomatic or consular mission in the Russian Federation;

d) foreign diplomatic and consular couriers;

e) persons who transit through the territory of the Russian Federation to third countries with an official mission.

If the Russian Federation recognizes the diplomatic status of a foreign citizen who does not have a diplomatic passport, he may get a diplomatic visa.

Diplomatic visas may be issued for national (ordinary) passports only for the following categories of foreign citizens:

- members of official delegations at high and at the highest levels;

- family members of diplomatic employees of foreign diplomatic or consular missions and permanent missions of international organisations, if such family members have ordinary passports or are citizens of another country;

- foreign citizens on the basis of the decision made by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If the diplomatic status of a foreign citizen holding a diplomatic passport is not recognized by the Russian Federation, he may get an ordinary or service visa.

In case if diplomatic passport holders are not authorized to get a diplomatic visa, they can apply for ordinary visas (the list of documents depends on the appropriate kind of visa).

Diplomatic visas may not be issued even to a diplomatic passport to the following categories of foreign citizens:

- citizens of countries with which the Russian Federation does not have diplomatic relations;

- adult children (sons and daughters over 18 years old) of members of the diplomatic staff of foreign diplomatic or consular missions;

- employees of the state authorities of the host country, who hold diplomatic passports, as well as employees of diplomatic or consular missions of third countries, who come to Russia as tourists or on private invitations from Russian citizens;

- employees of the host government bodies holding diplomatic passports, as well as employees of diplomatic or consular missions of third countries, who come to Russia as guests of employees of foreign diplomatic or consular missions staff members accredited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia or its offices in the subjects of the federation; offices of foreign companies, banks and mass media;

- employees of the host government bodies holding diplomatic passports, as well as employees of diplomatic or consular missions of third countries, who come to Russia at the invitation of Russian organisations that are not represent legislative, executive or judicial Russian federal authorities;

- employees of the state authorities of the host country who have diplomatic passports, as well as employees of diplomatic or consular missions of third countries, going through Russia as transit passengers to third countries not with an official mission (as tourists, private affairs).

To obtain a diplomatic visa, the following documents must be provided to the Consular section of the Russian Embassy:

1) diplomatic passport;

2) verbal note of the Foreign Ministry of the host country (diplomatic or consular mission of the foreign state in the host country), confirming the diplomatic purpose of trip of the person for whom a diplomatic visa is requested (a verbal note is not required if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has already taken a decision to grant to that person a diplomatic visa. In that case a 6 digits decision number will be required);

3) Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant with one passport photo glued on it.

For a diplomatic visa the health insurance policy and the certificate of absence of HIV infection are not required.

Very important ! The service visa procedure for new staff members and members of their families of foreign diplomatic or consular missions, international organisations and their permanent missions in Russia has to be launched only with the verbal note of the Foreign Ministry of the sending state addressed to the Russian Embassy located in that country.

Very important ! Foreign citizens who plan to go to the Russian Federation as permanent staff members of foreign diplomatic or consular missions, international organisations and their permanent missions in Russia, and members of their families (who go to live together with them but not as guests), except citizens of countries that have bilateral agreements which Russia establishing a visa-free entry procedure for this category of persons, can get a 3 months single-entry service visa. This visa is only valid to enter the Russian Federation and to immediately start the accreditation procedure in the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia or in an office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia on the territory of the Russian Federation.

We are pleased to inform you that the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Malta has resumed its operation. Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

Private visas are issued to foreign citizens and stateless persons entering the Russian Federation as private guests on the basis of an invitation completed in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, following an application by a citizen of the Russian Federation or a foreign national who has obtained residency in the Russian Federation.

There are three kinds of invitations accepted for private visas:

- an invitation in a paper form (original only) or an electronic form issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia). Ask for this kind of invitation from your Russian inviting person;

- an inviting letter of a citizen of the Russian Federation regarding his family member entry to Russia. Taking into account that this application must be submitted by a citizen of the Russian Federation, the procedure in the Russian language is to be followed;

- a letter of invitation legalized at a notary office in Russia (original only) from a citizen of the European Union who lives on a legal basis in the Russian Federation and invites his next of kin.

The standard maximum validity period of a single/double entry private visa (up to 90 days) and multi-entry private visa (up to 1 year without limits of staying).

List of required documents

1. Visa invitation of one of three kinds:

- an invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia) – in a paper form or an electronic form. Ask for this kind of invitation from your Russian inviting person;

Attention to the Russian transliteration of the name and surname of the invited foreign citizen (in case of the differences the Visa would not be issued);

- an inviting letterof a citizen of the Russian Federation regarding his family member entry to Russia. Taking into account that this application must be submitted by a citizen of the Russian Federation, the procedure in the Russian language is to be followed;

- a letter of invitation legalized at a notary office in Russia (original or copy) from a citizen of the European Union who lives on a legal basis in the Russian Federation and invites his next of kin. The copy of the document proving the legal stay in Russia of the inviting person and the proof of the relationship with the applicant will be required.

2. Travel passport (original). The passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages and must be valid 6 months after the last day of the required visa validity;

3. Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant.

4. 1 recent passport photo. The photo must be glued (not stapled!) on the visa application form;

- the date when the agreement was signed;

- the policy number;

- the full name of the insured person;

- full details of the insurer;

- the dates of validity: the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and double-entry visas, and the duration of the first trip for multiple-entry visas;

- the list of medical services covered by the insurance, the repatriation must be included;

- the geographical area coverage: worldwide or including the Russian Federation or Europe including the Russian Federation;

- the insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros;

- the signature of the insurer.

Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the above information and standard forms stamped by the insurer are not accepted.

Insurance cards are not accepted;

6. Original and copy of a valid Malta permanent residence permit (not required if the applicant is a citizen of the EU or the USA).

The Russian Consulate may request additional documents before issuing a visa, invite any applicant to a personal interview or extend the time required for the visa consideration.

To be noted that the law of the Russian Federation empowers the Russian Consulate to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

7. A HIV-certificate (for multi-entry private visa for a period exceeding 3 months). An HIV-certificate is not required for a foreign citizen who has family members in Russia.

Important information

Processing time

The processing time for the issuance of a business visa in the Consular section depends on the invitation:

- for invitations of the Russian MVD: 3 working days – 20 calendar days;

- for telex invitations of the Russian MFA: 1 working day – 5-7 calendar days;

- for inviting letters from organizations based in Russia:

- single-entry and double-entry visas: 3 working days-20 calendar days,

- multiple-entry visas: only 10 calendar days (may not be reduced).

General rules

1. The Consular section is authorized to give visas only for the Russian Federation.

2. The Consular section does not accept any visa documents sent by post and never sends passports with visas by post.

3. The visa application is to be introduced not later than 5 calendar days and not earlier than 3 months before the trip to the Russian Federation.

4. All payments in the Consular section must be done only in cash. Bank cards money and other means of payment are not accepted.

5. The fee paid for a visa is not refundable.

6. When obtaining a passport with a visa, we recommend that you carefully check the personal data specified in the visa.

7. The law of the Russian Federation empowers the Consular section to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

8. Before you make an appointment we recommend you to read the information about the required documents first.

11. VERY IMPORTANT ! ARE YOU BANNED TO ENTER THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION?

We are pleased to inform you that the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Malta has resumed its operation. Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

Humanitarian visas are issued to citizens of foreign countries and stateless persons entering the Russian Federation with the purpose of establishing, renewing or strengthening academic, cultural or socio-political ties, taking part in sports, religious activity and charitable work or supplying humanitarian aid.

Humanitarian visas can be single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry. Single-entry and double-entry visas can be valid for a period up to 3 months. Multiple-entry humanitarian visas are normally valid for a period up to 1 year. In accordance with Russia-EU Visa facilitation Agreement multiple-entry humanitarian visas can be valid for a period up to 5 years.

Foreign citizens and stateless persons may not stay in the Russian Federation with a multiple-entry humanitarian visa for more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

List of required documents

1. Visa invitation of one of three kinds:

- a telex invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA of Russia). This type of invitation can be requested by your Russian host company at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (if available). Such invitations are sent to the Consular section directly by the Ministry, the applicant is required to provide only the number (6 digits) of the invitation;

2. Travel passport (original). The passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages and must be valid 6 months after the last day of the required visa validity;

3. Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant.

4. 1 recent passport photo. The photo must be glued (not stapled!) on the visa application form;

- the date when the agreement was signed;

- the policy number;

- the full name of the insured person;

- full details of the insurer;

- the dates of validity: the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and double-entry visas, and the duration of the first trip for multiple-entry visas;

- the list of medical services covered by the insurance, the repatriation must be included;

- the geographical area coverage: worldwide or including the Russian Federation or Europe including the Russian Federation;

- the insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros;

- the signature of the insurer.

Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the above information and standard forms stamped by the insurer are not accepted.

Insurance cards are not accepted;

6. Original and copy of a valid Malta permanent residence permit (not required if the applicant is a citizen of the EU or the USA).

The Russian Consulate may request additional documents before issuing a visa, invite any applicant to a personal interview or extend the time required for the visa consideration.

To be noted that the law of the Russian Federation empowers the Russian Consulate to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

Additional requirements for a multiple-entry humanitarian visa

If the applicant wishes to apply for a 1 year multiple-entry humanitarian visa on basis of a direct inviting letter in accordance with the Russia-EU Visa facilitation Agreement he will be required to prove the visit of Russia during the previous 12 months. Transit visits are not considered.

In this case a copy of that visa with stamps of the Russian border service are to be submitted to the Consular section together with the visa application.

Processing time

The processing time for the issuance of a humanitarian visa depends on the invitation:

- for invitations of the Russian MVD: 3 working days – 20 calendar days;

- for telex invitations of the Russian MFA: 1 working day – 5-7 calendar days;

- for inviting letters from organizations based in Russia:

- single-entry and double-entry visas: 3 working days-20 calendar days;

- multiple-entry visas: only 10 calendar days (may not be reduced).

Important information

Processing time

The processing time for the issuance of a business visa in the Consular section depends on the invitation:

- for invitations of the Russian MVD: 3 working days – 20 calendar days;

- for telex invitations of the Russian MFA: 1 working day – 5-7 calendar days;

- for inviting letters from organizations based in Russia:

- single-entry and double-entry visas: 3 working days-20 calendar days,

- multiple-entry visas: only 10 calendar days (may not be reduced).

General rules

1. The Consular section is authorized to give visas only for the Russian Federation.

2. The Consular section does not accept any visa documents sent by post and never sends passports with visas by post.

3. The visa application is to be introduced not later than 5 calendar days and not earlier than 3 months before the trip to the Russian Federation.

4. All payments in the Consular section must be done only in cash. Bank cards money and other means of payment are not accepted.

5. The fee paid for a visa is not refundable.

6. When obtaining a passport with a visa, we recommend that you carefully check the personal data specified in the visa.

7. The law of the Russian Federation empowers the Consular section to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

8. Before you make an appointment we recommend you to read the information about the required documents first.

11. VERY IMPORTANT ! ARE YOU BANNED TO ENTER THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION?

We are pleased to inform you that the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Malta has resumed its operation. Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

Service visas are issued by a decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on the basis of a verbal note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic or consular mission of a foreign state or permanent mission of an international organisation in the Russian Federation, provided to the Russian Ministry of foreign affairs or to a Russian Embassy.

Service visas are issued to the following foreign citizens holding a service passport:

a) members of official foreign delegations, family members of these persons, and their accompanying persons, unless other rules are not established by an international treaty of the Russian Federation;

b) employees of administrative and technical staff members of diplomatic missions, consular employees and employees of the service staff of consular missions of foreign countries in the Russian Federation, permanent missions of international organisations in the Russian Federation, unless other rules are not established by an international treaty of the Russian Federation, family members (spouses) of the said persons, as well as minor children (under 18 years old) of the above-mentioned foreign nationals living together with their parents, unmarried major children – students of Russian universities (until they reach the age of 25 years old), as well as children under the care of parents who need a constant care for medical reasons;

c) officers of the armed forces of foreign states and members of their families who come to the Russian Federation not to work in military attaché offices of diplomatic missions of foreign states;

If the Russian Federation recognizes an official status of a foreign citizen who does not have a service passport, he may get a service visa.

Service visas may be issued for national (ordinary) passports only for the following categories of foreign citizens:

a) members of official delegations at high and at the highest levels;

b) members of the aircraft crews transporting the said delegation members to Russia;

c) members of family of administrative and technical staff members of foreign diplomatic or consular missions, permanent missions of international organisations in the Russian Federation, if such family members have ordinary passports or are citizens of another country;

d) foreign citizens on the basis of the decision made by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

If the Russian Federation recognizes the diplomatic status of a foreign citizen who has a service passport, he may get a diplomatic visa.

If the Russian Federation does not recognize the official status of a foreign citizen who has a service passport, he may apply for an ordinary visa.

Service visas may not be issued even to a service passport to the following categories of foreign citizens:

a) citizens of countries with which the Russian Federation does not have diplomatic relations;

b) adult children (sons and daughters older than 18 years) of members of the administrative and technical staff of foreign diplomatic or consular missions;

c) employees of the state authorities of the host country who hold service passports, as well as employees of diplomatic or consular missions of third countries who have service passports, who come to Russia as tourists or on private invitations from Russian citizens;

d) employees of the state authorities of the host country who have service passports, as well as employees of diplomatic or consular missions of third countries who have service passports, who come to Russia as guests of employees of foreign diplomatic or consular missions accredited to the Russian Foreign Ministry or its offices in the subjects of the federation; offices of foreign companies, banks and mass media;

e) employees of the state authorities of the host country who hold service passports, as well as employees of diplomatic or consular missions of third countries who have service passports, who come to Russia at the invitation of Russian organisations that are not represent legislative, executive or judicial Russian federal authorities;

f) employees of the state authorities of the host country who hold service passports, as well as employees of diplomatic or consular missions of third countries who have service passports, going through Russia as transit passengers to third countries not with an official mission (as tourists, private affairs).

In cases where business passport holders can not be issued service visas, ordinary business, humanitarian, tourist, etc. visas are issued to them.

To obtain a service visa, the following documents must be provided to the Consular section of the Russian Embassy:

- service passport;

- verbal note of the Foreign Ministry of the host country (diplomatic consular mission of another state in the host country), confirming the official purpose of trip of the person for whom a service visa is requested (a verbal note is not required if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has already taken a decision to grant to that person a service visa. In that case a 6 digits decision MFA number will be required);

- Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant with one passport photo glued on it.

For a diplomatic visa the health insurance policy and the certificate of absence of HIV infection are not required.

Very important ! Foreign citizens who plan to go to the Russian Federation as permanent members of administrative and technical staff of foreign diplomatic or consular missions, international organisations and their permanent missions in Russia, and members of their families (who go to live together with them but not as guests), except citizens of countries that have bilateral agreements which Russia establishing a visa-free entry procedure for this category of persons, can get a 3 months single-entry service visa. This visa is only valid to enter the Russian Federation and to immediately start the accreditation procedure in the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia or in an office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia on the territory of the Russian Federation.

We are pleased to inform you that the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Malta has resumed its operation. Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

Student visas are issued to citizens of foreign countries and stateless persons entering the Russian Federation for study purposes on the basis of an invitation from the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia), a decision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA of Russia).

Student visas are either single-entry or double-entry, and are valid for 90 days.

The visa may be subsequently extended by the MVD of Russia at the place where the foreign national resides and is based, for migration records, by issuing a multiple-entry visa for the duration of the study contract, entered into in accordance with the educational legislation of the Russian Federation, but by not more than 1 year for each subsequent visa.

The student visa may be given for free in accordance with Russia-EU Visa facilitation Agreement on the basis of an inviting letter from the Russian university (only for short-term study for not more than 90 days without prolongation).

List of required documents

1. Visa invitation of one of three kinds:

Attention to the Russian transliteration of the name and surname of the invited foreign citizen (in case of the differences the Visa would not be issued);

- a telex invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (MFA of Russia). This type of invitation can be requested by your Russian university at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (if available). Such invitations are sent to the Consular section directly by the Ministry, the applicant is required to provide only the number (6 digits) of the invitation;

- a copy of a direct inviting letter (for short-term study only, without prolongation): a written request of your Russian university signed by the Rector of the university or the Head of the International Department, with a stamp. Such an invitation shall be printed on the official paper of the Russian university. See the specimen.

2. Travel passport (original). The passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages and must be valid 6 months after the last day of the required visa validity;

3. Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant.

4. 1 recent passport photo. The photo must be glued (not stapled!) on the visa application form;

- the date when the agreement was signed;

- the policy number;

- the full name of the insured person;

- full details of the insurer;

- the dates of validity: the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and double-entry visas, and the duration of the first trip for multiple-entry visas;

- the list of medical services covered by the insurance, the repatriation must be included;

- the geographical area coverage: worldwide or including the Russian Federation or Europe including the Russian Federation;

- the insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros;

- the signature of the insurer.

Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the above information and standard forms stamped by the insurer are not accepted.

Insurance cards are not accepted;

6. Original and copy of a valid Malta permanent residence permit (not required if the applicant is a citizen of the EU or the USA).

The Russian Consulate may request additional documents before issuing a visa, invite any applicant to a personal interview or extend the time required for the visa consideration.

To be noted that the law of the Russian Federation empowers the Russian Consulate to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

General rules

1. The Consular section is authorized to give visas only for the Russian Federation.

2. The Consular section does not accept any visa documents sent by post and never sends passports with visas by post.

3. The visa application is to be introduced not later than 5 calendar days and not earlier than 3 months before the trip to the Russian Federation.

4. All payments in the Consular section must be done only in cash. Bank cards money and other means of payment are not accepted.

5. The fee paid for a visa is not refundable.

6. When obtaining a passport with a visa, we recommend that you carefully check the personal data specified in the visa.

7. The law of the Russian Federation empowers the Consular section to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

8. Before you make an appointment we recommend you to read the information about the required documents first.

11. VERY IMPORTANT ! ARE YOU BANNED TO ENTER THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION?

We are pleased to inform you that the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Malta has resumed its operation. Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

Transit visas are issued to citizens of foreign countries and stateless persons entering the Russian Federation for the purposes of passing through the territory of the Russian Federation. This may be for a period of up to 10 days (by road or rail), or for a period of up to 3 days (by air), on the basis of valid tickets for departure from the Russian Federation and possession of a valid visa (or documents confirming that the applicant is not required to get a visa to enter this state) for entry into the next state en route, or a visa for the final port of call, or passport for that country.

Foreign citizens passing through the Russian Federation to the country of their destination in a motor car or heavy goods vehicle, are issued with a transit visa for the period of time required in order to complete the journey by the shortest routes (but in no case for a period longer than 10 days). The period of validity of the visa in such cases shall be calculated based on a theoretical average daily distance being equal to 500 km.

The period of validity of double-entry transit visas must not exceed one month. In cases when foreign nationals need to pass through Russian in transit on their way to a third country, then come back through Russia more than a month later, they must apply for a single-entry transit visa and obtain a second transit visa at the Russian Embassy/Consulate in the country which was the foreign national's initial destination.

List of required documents

1. Copy of the confirmed ticket to and from Russia;

2. Copy of a valid visa (if required by that country) to the country of the final destination or documents confirming that the applicant is not required to get a visa to enter that country, or the passport of that country;

3. Travel passport (original). The passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages and must be valid 6 months after the last day of the required visa validity;

4. Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant.

5. 1 recent passport photo. The photo must be glued (not stapled!) on the visa application form;

6. Medical insurance policy document (copy or original) issued by a foreign insurance company or a Russian insurance company. This document is required only from the citizens of all EU countries (except Great Britain), Iran, Iseland State, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Swiss. This document must contain:

- the date when the agreement was signed;

- the policy number;

- the full name of the insured person;

- full details of the insurer;

- the dates of validity: the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and double-entry visas, and the duration of the first trip for multiple-entry visas;

- the list of medical services covered by the insurance, the repatriation must be included;

- the geographical area coverage: worldwide or including the Russian Federation or Europe including the Russian Federation;

- the insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros;

- the signature of the insurer.

Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the above information and standard forms stamped by the insurer are not accepted.

Insurance cards are not accepted;

6. Original and copy of a valid Malta permanent residence permit (not required if the applicant is a citizen of the EU or the USA).

The Russian Consulate may request additional documents before issuing a visa, invite any applicant to a personal interview or extend the time required for the visa consideration.

To be noted that the law of the Russian Federation empowers the Russian Consulate to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

The following situations do not require a transit visa:

- Foreign nationals flying over the territory of the Russian Federation without changing flights in the country;

- Foreign nationals flying with an international airline and changing flights in the Russian Federation, at the same airport on both the outward journey and the inbound journey (on condition that this airport has a transit area), in possession of properly completed documents confirming their right to enter the destination country, and an airline ticket with a confirmed departure date from the airport in Russia where they changed flights, no more than 24 hours after their arrival date.

To be noted, in Sheremetievo terminals D,E,F are located in a single transit zone. Terminal "C" is in separate transit zone/ The letters of the arrival and departure can be checked in your ticket.

Please note that if a foreign citizen travels across the territory of Russia to the countries of the Customs Union (Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan) he is required to apply for a transit visa, unless he’s a citizen of countries eligible for visa-free travel to Russia in accordance with bilateral agreements.

Very important ! Foreign citizens travelling by air to/from Belorussia through the Russian Federation are required to get a Russian transit visa.

Processing time

The processing time for the issuance of a transit visa in the Consular section is from 3 working days till 7 calendar days.

General rules

1. The Consular section is authorized to give visas only for the Russian Federation.

2. The Consular section does not accept any visa documents sent by post and never sends passports with visas by post.

3. The visa application is to be introduced not later than 5 calendar days and not earlier than 3 months before the trip to the Russian Federation.

4. All payments in the Consular section must be done only in cash. Bank cards money and other means of payment are not accepted.

5. The fee paid for a visa is not refundable.

6. When obtaining a passport with a visa, we recommend that you carefully check the personal data specified in the visa.

7. The law of the Russian Federation empowers the Consular section to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

8. Before you make an appointment we recommend you to read the information about the required documents first.

9.A foreign citizen or a stateless person (who does not have the Russian citizenship) must be present in the Consular section in person. The applicant is authorized to apply for a visa for himself and his/her children under 18 y.o. for a joint trip to Russia (for the same dates). Documents proving the degree of relationship are required (originals from the Gemeente). The applications on behalf of a third person (even with the power of attorney) are not accepted.

11. VERY IMPORTANT ! ARE YOU BANNED TO ENTER THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION?

We are pleased to inform you that the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Malta has resumed its operation. Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

In accordance with the Russian law, foreign citizens who arrive to the Russian Federation through sea and river ports as passengers of cruise ships or ferries may stay in the territory of the Russian Federation for 72 hours without visas.

Conditions to visa-free shore of foreign cruise or ferry passengers are the following:

- providing by the captain of the ship to the Russian port authorities of the lists of passengers 72 hours before the arrival of the vessel to the Russian port;

- the passenger must be included in the above lists;

- the passenger needs to have a valid ID document (only travel passport);

- the accommodation of the passenger during his (her) stay in Russia is possible only on board of a cruise or ferry ship;

- site-seeing by a passenger is only possible within the territory determined for visiting the group tourist program.

If a cruise ship passenger doesn't wish to join a tourist program on a visa-free basis proposed by the organisers of the cruise and wants to explore the city under his own conditions, he is required to get a 1-2 days tourist visa by providing tourist visa documents and follow the standart tourist visa procedure.

The period of stay of a cruise or ferry passenger in the territory of the Russian Federation without a visa may be extended because of a delay of the departure of a cruise or ferry vessel due to a damage or a natural disaster, or if this foreign citizen is unable to continue the cruise due to emergency treatment or severe illness. The departure of such a foreign citizen from the Russian Federation by another mean of transport or through another point of entry-exit of the Russian border is possible only with a visa. The foreign citizen has to get a transit visa in a local office of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation. Such kind of visa may be issued only in the territory of Russia for the purpose of evacuation of a foreign citizen who entered Russia on a visa-free basis.

In accordance with the decision of the President of the Russian Federation, the issuance of unified e-visas, valid on the entire territory of the Russian Federation, has begun on August 1, 2023.

Unified e-visa can be obtained by citizens of the following 55 countries:

Andorra

Austria

Bahrain

Belgium

Bulgaria

Cambodia

China

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

India

Indonesia

Iran, Islamic Republic of

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Korea, Democratic People's Republic of

Kuwait

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malaysia

Malta

Mexico

Monaco

Myanmar

Netherlands

North Macedonia

Norway

Oman

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Romania

San Marino

Saudi Arabia

Serbia

Singapore

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan, China

Turkey

Vatican

Viet Nam

An electronic visa can be issued based on a foreign citizen's application filled in electronically on the specialized website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia at https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru or via a mobile application available for download on the said website.

The application for an e-visa must be submitted no later than four calendar days before the expected date of entry into the Russian Federation. The application must be accompanied by a digital photo of the person and a scan of the personal data page of the foreign citizen's machine-readable passport. No other documents are required to obtain an e-visa.

In accordance with the current Russian legislation, the unified electronic visa is chargeable. Payment can be made with a bank card through the specialized website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru. The total amount including consular fee, bank commission, transaction costs of the payment system, as well as the fee for preliminary verification of documents is (taking into account currency exchange rate fluctuations) about 52 USD. When applying for an e-visa for children under 6 years old, only the transaction costs of the payment system (about 2 USD) are payable.

An electronic visa entitles the holder to enter the Russian Federation only once and stay in the Russian Federation for private, business or tourist purposes, as well as to participate in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic, sporting events and to establish relevant relations and contacts.

The validity period of a unified electronic visa is 60 days from the day of its issuance with the authorized period of stay of a foreign citizen in the Russian Federation not exceeding 16 days from the day of entry into the territory of the Russian Federation.

Unified electronic visas are valid for entering into the Russian Federation and departing from the Russian Federation by air, road, rail and water transport, as well as without the use of vehicles only through checkpoints across the state border of the Russian Federation, the list of which is approved by the order of the Government of the Russian Federation of October 23, 2020 № 2741-r.

The list of checkpoints is available on the specialized website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru.

Transport companies can check whether a foreign citizen has a valid unified electronic visa on a special automated website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at https://evisacheck.kdmid.ru. Information on the checking procedure is also available there in Russian and English.

We are pleased to inform you that the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Malta has resumed its operation. Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

Visas to enter the Russian Federation as asylum seeker are issued to foreign citizens on the basis of a decision of a local office of the Ministry of the Interior of Russia (MVD of Russia) on the recognition of this foreign citizen as a refugee in the territory of the Russian Federation.

This visa is given for the period up to 3 months only for a single entry.

List of required documents

1. A written decision (original) of the MVD of Russia;

2. Travel passport (original). The passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages and must be valid 6 months after the last day of the required visa validity;

3. Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant;

4. 1 recent passport photo. The photo must be glued (not stapled!) on the visa application form;

5. Original and copy of a valid Maltese permanent residence permit (not required if the applicant is a citizen of the EU).

General rules

1. The Consular section is authorized to give visas only for the Russian Federation.

2. The Consular section does not accept any visa documents sent by post and never sends passports with visas by post.

3. The visa application is to be introduced not later than 8 calendar days and not earlier than 3 months before the trip to the Russian Federation.

4. All payments in the Consular section must be done only in cash. Bank cards and other means of payment are not accepted.

5. The fee paid for a visa is not refundable.

6. When obtaining a passport with a visa, we recommend that you carefully check the personal data specified in the visa.

7. The law of the Russian Federation empowers the Consular section to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

8. Before you read the information about the required documents we recommend you to first make an appointment.

9. VERY IMPORTANT ! The visa procedure that is underway in the Russian consulate may be cancelled (stopped) by the applicant. For that the candidate for a visa has to apply with a written statement to the Consular section. All paid fees in that case are not refundable. The passport without a visa will be returned to its holder not earlier than after 2-3 working days.

Разрешение на временное проживание в России

Оформление иностранным гражданам разрешения на временное пребывание (РВП) в Российской Федерации производится на основании п. 4 ст. 6 Федерального закона от 27 июля 2002 года № 115-ФЗ «О правовом положении иностранных граждан в Российской Федерации» и приказом МВД России от 21 ноября 2017 года № 891 «Об утверждении Административного регламента Министерства внутренних дел Российской Федерации по предоставлению государственной услуги по выдаче иностранным гражданам и лицам без гражданства разрешения на временное проживание в Российской Федерации, а также форм отметки и бланка документа о разрешении на временное проживание в Российской Федерации».

Разрешение на временное проживание — это подтверждение права иностранного гражданина временно проживать в Российской Федерации до получения вида на жительство, оформленное в виде отметки в его паспорте.

Консульским отделом Посольства принимаются заявления на РВП от совершеннолетних иностранных граждан, проживающих на Мальте, в том числе в отношении получающих разрешение совместно с ними иностранных граждан, не достигших 18-летнего возраста, или признанных недееспособными или ограниченными в дееспособности, законными представителями которых они являются.

Порядок приема

Прием заявлений и документов на получение РВП ведется по предварительной договоренности с консульским отделом за исключением выходных и российских праздничных дней. В консульский отдел следует обратиться по электронной почте rusconsul@onvol.net, приложить копию заполненного заявления, необходимых документов и указать в теме «Выдача РВП». День и время приема будут назначены после проверки документов.

Личная явка кандидата на получение РВП: обязательна (от третьих лиц по доверенности документы не принимаются).

Срок рассмотрения: 6 месяцев со дня приема документов территориальным подразделением МВД России (по итогам рассмотрения заявитель информируется о решении МВД России по предоставленным им контактным данным).

Заявления иностранных граждан, являющихся участниками Государственной программы по оказанию содействия добровольному переселению в Российскую Федерацию соотечественников, проживающих за рубежом, и переселяющимися совместно с ним членами их семьи, рассматриваются в течение 60 суток со дня приема документов территориальным подразделением МВД России.

Оплата: Наличные денежные средства

Важная информация

В компетенцию консульского отдела в вопросах выдачи РВП входит:

- прием у иностранного гражданина заявления и пакета подготовленных им документов на выдачу РВП;
- пересылка документов на рассмотрение в территориальное подразделение МВД России;
- информирование заявителя о результатах рассмотрения заявления по предоставленным им контактным данным.

Внимание ! Все возникающие при подготовке документов вопросы заявитель решает напрямую с территориальным подразделением МВД России.

Консульский отдел консультаций по подготовке пакета документов не предоставляет.

Во время приема консульское должностное лицо:

- проверяет правильность заполнения заявления;
- проверяет комплектность прилагаемых к заявлению документов;
- производит заверение копий всех прилагаемых документов (оригиналы подлежат возврату на руки заявителю, в Россию направляются заверенные копии. Плата за заверение копий не взимается);
- в случае отсутствия недочетов выписывает заявителю направление на оплату данной услуги в кассе консульства;

По завершении данной процедуры досье на выдачу РВП пересылается в территориальное подразделение МВД России по месту рассмотрения.
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Федеральным законом Российской Федерации установлен различный порядок получения разрешения на временное проживание:

- иностранным гражданам, для въезда которых на территорию России виза требуется, и
- иностранным гражданам, для въезда которых на территорию Российской Федерации виза не требуется.

В консульский отдел могут обратиться по вопросу получения РВП только граждане первой категорий (т.е. те, кому требуется виза для въезда в Россию). Граждане второй категории обращаются по вопросу получения РВП только на территории Российской Федерации. С условиями получения разрешения на временное проживание (РВП) в Российской Федерации просьба ознакомиться на сайте Главного управления по вопросам миграции (ГУВМ) МВД России.
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Срок действия РВП – три года.

Продление срока действия разрешения на временное проживание законодательством Российской Федерации не предусмотрено.

Внимание ! Консульский отдел не несет ответственности за принятые в подразделениях МВД России решения о выдаче РВП.

Внимание ! В случае отказа территориального подразделения МВД России в выдаче заявителю РВП либо аннулирования его действующего РВП новая заявка может быть подана не ранее, чем по истечению 1 года со дня принятия такого решения.

При принятии территориальным подразделением МВД России положительного решения о выдаче заявителю (или его ребенку) РВП российским консульством ему может быть выдана виза на въезд в Российскую Федерацию в целях получения разрешения на временное проживание. После въезда в Россию заявителю необходимо обратиться в соответствующее подразделение МВД России для простановки отметки об РВП в его иностранный паспорт.

Временно проживающий в Российской Федерации иностранный гражданин не вправе по собственному желанию избирать место своего проживания вне пределов субъекта Российской Федерации, на территории которого ему разрешено временное проживание.

Список необходимых документов

I. Если заявление о выдаче РВП подается совершеннолетним иностранным гражданином в отношении себя:

1. Заявление в двух экземплярах;

2. Две фотографии, которые размещаются на заявлении по одной на каждом экземпляре, размером 35 x 45 мм в черно-белом или цветном исполнении с четким изображением лица анфас без головного убора. Допускается представление фотографий в головных уборах, не скрывающих овал лица, гражданами, религиозные убеждения которых не позволяют показываться перед посторонними лицами без головных уборов. Для граждан, постоянно носящих очки, обязательно фотографирование в очках без тонированных стекол. Требования к фотографиям - здесь;

3. Паспорт иностранного гражданина с переводом на русский язык (перевод может быть выполнен присяжным переводчиком или заявителем самостоятельно). Проставление на копии паспорта апостиля не требуется. Верность перевода подлежит предварительному удостоверению в консульском отделе.

4. Справка об отсутствии судимости у заявителя, выданная мальтийскими компетентными органами не ранее чем за 3 месяца до подачи заявления о выдаче РВП в консульский отдел. Справка принимается с апостилем и переводом на русский язык (перевод может быть выполнен присяжным переводчиком или заявителем самостоятельно), верность перевода подлежит предварительному удостоверению в консульском отделе.

5. Если заявитель не является гражданином Мальты, представляется вид на жительство в Республике Мальта или справка из Мэрии с адресом проживания. Документ представляется с переводом на русский язык (перевод может быть выполнен присяжным переводчиком или заявителем самостоятельно). Проставление на копии вида на жительство апостиля не требуется, на справке – требуется обязательно. Верность перевода подлежит предварительному заверению в консульском отделе.

6. Медицинские справки, подтверждающие отсутствие у иностранного гражданина, подающего заявление, заболевания наркоманией и инфекционных заболеваний, которые представляют опасность для окружающих (перечень заболеваний утвержден приказом Минздрава России от 29 июня 2015 г. № 384н). Выданные компетентными органами на Мальте справки должны быть легализованы апостилем и переведены на русский язык (присяжным переводчиком или заявителем самостоятельно). Верность перевода подлежит предварительному заверению в консульском отделе.

7. Сертификат об отсутствии у заявителя заболевания, вызываемого вирусом иммунодефицита человека (ВИЧ-инфекции). Сертификат должен быть оформлен в соответствии с требованиями, утвержденными Постановлением Правительства Российской Федерации от 25 ноября 1995 г. № 1158 "Об утверждении требований к сертификату об отсутствии ВИЧ-инфекции, предъявляемому иностранными гражданами и лицами без гражданства при их обращении за визой на въезд в Российскую Федерацию на срок свыше трех месяцев". На сертификате обязательно должна быть проставлена подпись врача, проводившего исследование, и печать (врача или клиники/лаборатории, в которой он работает). Выданные на Мальте сертификаты должны быть легализованы апостилем и переведены на русский язык (присяжным переводчиком или заявителем самостоятельно). Верность перевода подлежит предварительному заверению в консульском отделе.

8. Документ, подтверждающий владение иностранным гражданином русским языком, знание истории России и основ законодательства Российской Федерации. К таким документам относятся: сертификат о владении русским языком, знании истории России и основ законодательства Российской Федерации; документ государственного образца об образовании (на уровне не ниже основного общего образования), выданный образовательным учреждением на территории государства, входившего в состав СССР, до 1 сентября 1991 года; документ об образовании и (или) о квалификации, выданный лицам, успешно прошедшим государственную итоговую аттестацию на территории Российской Федерации с 1 сентября 1991 года.

От необходимости представлять такой документ освобождаются:

- мужчины, достигшие возраста 65 лет;
- женщины, достигшие возраста 60 лет;
- граждане Республики Беларусь;
- участники Государственной программы переселения в Российскую Федерацию соотечественников и члены их семей;

9. Заполненное заявление с контактными данными (будет использовано консульством для информирования заявителя о результатах рассмотрения его ходатайства).

II. Если заявление о выдаче РВП подается совершеннолетним иностранным гражданином в отношении своего ребенка, не достигшего 18-летнего возраста:

1. Заявление в двух экземплярах;

3. Иностранный паспорт ребенка с переводом на русский язык (перевод может быть выполнен присяжным переводчиком или заявителем самостоятельно). Проставление на копии паспорта апостиля не требуется. Верность перевода подлежит предварительному удостоверению в консульском отделе.

4. Свидетельство о рождении ребенка. Иностранные свидетельства о рождении должны быть легализованы апостилем и полностью переведены на русский язык (присяжным переводчиком или заявителем самостоятельно). Верность перевода подлежит предварительному удостоверению в консульском отделе.

5. Справка об отсутствии судимости у ребенка (только для детей в возрасте от 14 до 18 лет), выданная полномочным органом государства постоянного проживания не ранее чем за 3 месяца до подачи заявления о выдаче РВП в консульский отдел. Справка принимается с апостилем и переводом на русский язык (перевод может быть выполнен присяжным переводчиком или заявителем самостоятельно), верность перевода подлежит предварительному удостоверению в консульском отделе.

6. Если ребенок не является гражданином Мальты, представляется его вид на жительство в Республике Мальта или справка из Мэрии с адресом проживания. Документ представляется с переводом на русский язык (перевод может быть выполнен присяжным переводчиком или заявителем самостоятельно). Проставление на копии вида на жительство апостиля не требуется, на справке – требуется обязательно. Верность перевода подлежит предварительному заверению в консульском отделе.

7. Медицинские справки, подтверждающие отсутствие у ребенка заболевания наркоманией и инфекционных заболеваний, которые представляют опасность для окружающих (перечень заболеваний утвержден приказом Минздрава России от 29 июня 2015 г. № 384н). Выданные компетентными органами Мальты справки должны быть легализованы апостилем и переведены на русский язык (присяжным переводчиком или заявителем самостоятельно). Верность перевода подлежит предварительному заверению в консульском отделе.

8. Сертификат об отсутствии у ребенка заболевания, вызываемого вирусом иммунодефицита человека (ВИЧ-инфекции). Сертификат должен быть оформлен в соответствии с требованиями, утвержденными Постановлением Правительства Российской Федерации от 25 ноября 1995 г. № 1158 "Об утверждении требований к сертификату об отсутствии ВИЧ-инфекции, предъявляемому иностранными гражданами и лицами без гражданства при их обращении за визой на въезд в Российскую Федерацию на срок свыше трех месяцев". На сертификате обязательно должна быть проставлена подпись врача, проводившего исследование, и печать (врача или клиники/лаборатории, в которой он работает). Выданные на Мальте сертификаты должны быть легализованы апостилем и переведены на русский язык (присяжным переводчиком или заявителем самостоятельно). Верность перевода подлежит предварительному заверению в консульском отделе.

Иностранный гражданин, которому РВП может быть выдано без учета квоты в соответствии с п. 3 ст. 6 Федерального закона «О правовом положении иностранных граждан в Российской Федерации», одновременно с вышеуказанными документами представляет:

1. Родившийся на территории РСФСР и состоявший в прошлом в гражданстве СССР или родившийся на территории Российской Федерации - свидетельство о рождении, выданное на территории РСФСР или Российской Федерации органом записи актов гражданского состояния. В случае отсутствия указанного свидетельства, документом, подтверждающим рождение на территории РСФСР и состояние в прошлом в гражданстве СССР, является паспорт гражданина СССР образца 1974 года, в который внесены соответствующие записи;

2. Признанный нетрудоспособным, имеющий дееспособных сына или дочь, состоящих в гражданстве Российской Федерации, - свидетельство о рождении и паспорт гражданина Российской Федерации, удостоверяющий личность гражданина Российской Федерации на территории Российской Федерации, сына или дочери, а также документы, подтверждающие нетрудоспособность заявителя (например: справку об инвалидности, выданную учреждением государственной службы медико-социальной экспертизы либо компетентным органом иностранного государства, пенсионное удостоверение, справку территориального органа Пенсионного фонда Российской Федерации, подтверждающую факт установления пенсии);

3. Имеющий хотя бы одного нетрудоспособного родителя, состоящего в гражданстве Российской Федерации, - свидетельство о рождении заявителя и паспорт гражданина Российской Федерации нетрудоспособного родителя, а также документы, подтверждающие нетрудоспособность родителя (например: справку об инвалидности, выданную учреждением государственной службы медико-социальной экспертизы, пенсионное удостоверение, справку территориального органа Пенсионного фонда Российской Федерации, подтверждающую факт установления пенсии);

4. Состоящий в браке с гражданином Российской Федерации, имеющим место жительства на территории Российской Федерации, – свидетельство о заключении брака и паспорт супруга (супруги) – гражданина Российской Федерации;

5. Осуществивший инвестиции в Российской Федерации – письмо руководителя организации, привлекшей инвестиции, об осуществлении данным иностранным гражданином инвестиций в размере, установленном Правительством Российской Федерации;

6. Поступивший на военную службу – контракт о прохождении военной службы;

7. Имеющий ребенка, состоящего в гражданстве Российской Федерации, – свидетельство о рождении ребенка. Наличие гражданства Российской Федерации у ребенка удостоверяется документами, предусмотренными законодательством Российской Федерации;

8. Имеющий сына или дочь, достигших возраста восемнадцати лет, состоящих в гражданстве Российской Федерации и решением суда, вступившим в законную силу, признанных недееспособными либо ограниченных в дееспособности, - свидетельство о рождении и паспорт гражданина Российской Федерации сына или дочери, а также копию решения суда о признании лица недееспособным или об ограничении лица в дееспособности.

Перечень оснований для приостановления или отказа в предоставлении услуги по выдаче РВП

Приостановление предоставления государственной услуги законодательством Российской Федерации не предусмотрено.

В соответствии со статьей 7 Федерального закона «О правовом положении иностранных граждан в Российской Федерации» разрешение иностранному гражданину не выдается в случае, если данный иностранный гражданин:

1. Выступает за насильственное изменение основ конституционного строя Российской Федерации, иными действиями создает угрозу безопасности Российской Федерации или граждан Российской Федерации;

2. Финансирует, планирует террористические (экстремистские) акты, оказывает содействие в совершении таких актов или совершает их, а равно иными действиями поддерживает террористическую (экстремистскую) деятельность;

3. В течение пяти лет, предшествовавших дню подачи заявления о выдаче разрешения, подвергался административному выдворению за пределы Российской Федерации, депортации или передавался Российской Федерацией иностранному государству в соответствии с международным договором Российской Федерации о реадмиссии либо в течение десяти лет, предшествовавших дню подачи заявления о выдаче разрешения, неоднократно (два и более раза) подвергался административному выдворению за пределы Российской Федерации, депортации или передавался Российской Федерацией иностранному государству в соответствии с международным договором Российской Федерации о реадмиссии;

4. Представил поддельные или подложные документы либо сообщил о себе заведомо ложные сведения;

5. Осужден вступившим в законную силу приговором суда за совершение тяжкого или особо тяжкого преступления либо преступления, рецидив которого признан опасным, или за совершение преступления, связанного с незаконным оборотом наркотических средств, психотропных веществ и их аналогов или прекурсоров, растений, содержащих наркотические средства или психотропные вещества либо их прекурсоры, а также их частей, содержащих наркотические средства или психотропные вещества либо их прекурсоры;

6. Имеет непогашенную или неснятую судимость за совершение тяжкого или особо тяжкого преступления на территории Российской Федерации либо за ее пределами, признаваемого таковым в соответствии с федеральным законом;

7. Неоднократно (два и более раза) в течение одного года привлекался к административной ответственности за совершение административного правонарушения, связанного с посягательством на общественный порядок и общественную безопасность либо нарушением режима пребывания (проживания) иностранных граждан в Российской Федерации или порядка осуществления ими трудовой деятельности на территории Российской Федерации, либо совершил административное правонарушение, связанное с незаконным оборотом наркотических средств, психотропных веществ и их аналогов или прекурсоров, растений, содержащих наркотические средства или психотропные вещества либо их прекурсоры, а также их частей, содержащих наркотические средства или психотропные вещества либо их прекурсоры;

8. По истечении трех лет со дня въезда не имеет в Российской Федерации жилого помещения на основаниях, предусмотренных законодательством Российской Федерации;

9. Выехал из Российской Федерации в иностранное государство для постоянного проживания;

10. Находится за пределами Российской Федерации более шести месяцев;

11. Заключил брак с гражданином Российской Федерации, послуживший основанием для получения разрешения, и этот брак признан судом недействительным;

12. Является больным наркоманией либо не имеет сертификата об отсутствии у него заболевания, вызываемого вирусом иммунодефицита человека (ВИЧ-инфекции), либо страдает одним из инфекционных заболеваний, которые представляют опасность для окружающих, предусмотренных перечнем, за исключением случаев, предусмотренных абзацем третьим пункта 3 статьи 11 Федерального закона от 30 марта 1995 г. № 38-ФЗ «О предупреждении распространения в Российской Федерации заболевания, вызываемого вирусом иммунодефицита человека (ВИЧ-инфекции)»;

13. Помимо указанных случаев, разрешение иностранному гражданину не выдается в случае принятия в установленном порядке решения о нежелательности пребывания (проживания) в Российской Федерации или решения о неразрешении въезда в Российскую Федерацию данного иностранного гражданина;

14. Государственная услуга не предоставляется:

- если в отношении заявителя было принято решение об отказе в выдаче разрешения либо принято решение об аннулировании разрешения, и не истек один год со дня принятия указанного решения;

- если в Государственной информационной системе о государственных и муниципальных платежах отсутствуют сведения об уплате заявителем государственной пошлины (в случае если квитанция об уплате государственной пошлины не представлена им по собственной инициативе).

We are pleased to inform you that the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Malta has resumed its operation. Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

Work visas are issued to citizens of foreign countries and stateless persons entering the Russian Federation for work purposes on the basis of an invitation issued by Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia).

There is a possibility to extend the visa by the MVD of Russia. Work visas are single-entry only and valid for up to 90 days (with the exception of visas for highly-skilled specialists).

List of required documents

1. Visa invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia) – in a paper form (original is required) or an electronic form. Ask for this kind of invitation from your Russian employer;

2. Travel passport (original). The passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages and must be valid 6 months after the last day of the required visa validity;

3. Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant.

4. 1 recent passport photo. The photo must be glued (not stapled!) on the visa application form;

- the date when the agreement was signed;

- the policy number;

- the full name of the insured person;

- full details of the insurer;

- the dates of validity: the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and double-entry visas, and the duration of the first trip for multiple-entry visas;

- the list of medical services covered by the insurance, the repatriation must be included;

- the geographical area coverage: worldwide or including the Russian Federation or Europe including the Russian Federation;

- the insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros;

- the signature of the insurer.

Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the above information and standard forms stamped by the insurer are not accepted.

Insurance cards are not accepted;

6. Original and copy of a valid Malta permanent residence permit (not required if the applicant is a citizen of the EU or the USA).

The Russian Consulate may request additional documents before issuing a visa, invite any applicant to a personal interview or extend the time required for the visa consideration.

To be noted that the law of the Russian Federation empowers the Russian Consulate to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

Processing time

The processing time for the issuance of a work visa in the Consular section is from 3 working days till 20 calendar days.

General rules

1. The Consular section is authorized to give visas only for the Russian Federation.

2. The Consular section does not accept any visa documents sent by post and never sends passports with visas by post.

3. The visa application is to be introduced not later than 5 calendar days and not earlier than 3 months before the trip to the Russian Federation.

4. All payments in the Consular section must be done only in cash. Bank cards money and other means of payment are not accepted.

5. The fee paid for a visa is not refundable.

6. When obtaining a passport with a visa, we recommend that you carefully check the personal data specified in the visa.

7. The law of the Russian Federation empowers the Consular section to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

8. Before you make an appointment we recommend you to read the information about the required documents first.

11. VERY IMPORTANT ! ARE YOU BANNED TO ENTER THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION?

We are pleased to inform you that the Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Malta has resumed its operation. Please schedule an appointment for your visit here.

Work visas for highly-skilled specialists are issued to citizens of foreign countries and stateless persons entering the Russian Federation for a long-term work purposes on the basis of an invitation issued by Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia). The applicant has to request this kind of invitation from his Russian employer. This kind of visa is also issued to family members of a highly-skilled specialists.

Work visas for highly-skilled specialists are multiple-entry only and valid for up to 3 years. Highly-skilled specialists and their family members are authorised to stay in Russia for the whole period of their visa validity.

List of required documents

2. Travel passport (original). The passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages and must be valid 6 months after the last day of the required visa validity;

3. Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant.

4. 1 recent passport photo. The photo must be glued (not stapled!) on the visa application form;

- the date when the agreement was signed;

- the policy number;

- the full name of the insured person;

- full details of the insurer;

- the dates of validity: the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and double-entry visas, and the duration of the first trip for multiple-entry visas;

- the list of medical services covered by the insurance, the repatriation must be included;

- the geographical area coverage: worldwide or including the Russian Federation or Europe including the Russian Federation;

- the insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros;

- the signature of the insurer.

Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the above information and standard forms stamped by the insurer are not accepted.

Insurance cards are not accepted;

6. Original of HIV Test (AIDS) certificate made within the last three months. The HIV Test Certificate should be signed by a doctor and by the applicant and stamped by a medical organisation;

7. Original and copy of a valid Malta permanent residence permit (not required if the applicant is a citizen of the EU or the USA).

The Russian Consulate may request additional documents before issuing a visa, invite any applicant to a personal interview or extend the time required for the visa consideration.

To be noted that the law of the Russian Federation empowers the Russian Consulate to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

Processing time

The processing time for the issuance of a work visa for highly-skilled specialists in the Consular section is from 3 working days till 20 calendar days.

General rules

1. The Consular section is authorized to give visas only for the Russian Federation.

2. The Consular section does not accept any visa documents sent by post and never sends passports with visas by post.

3. The visa application is to be introduced not later than 8 calendar days and not earlier than 3 months before the trip to the Russian Federation.

4. All payments in the Consular section must be done only by cash. Bank cards and other means of payment are not accepted.

5. The fee paid for a visa is not refundable.

6. When obtaining a passport with a visa, we recommend that you carefully check the personal data specified in the visa.

7. The law of the Russian Federation empowers the Consular section to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.

8. Before you read the information about the required documents we recommend you to first make an appointment.

10. VERY IMPORTANT ! The visa procedure that is underway in the Russian consulate may be cancelled (stopped) by the applicant. For that the candidate for a visa has to apply with a written statement to the Consular section. All paid fees in that case are not refundable. The passport without a visa will be returned to its holder not earlier than after 2-3 working days.

11. VERY IMPORTANT ! ARE YOU BANNED TO ENTER THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION?

1. Where may I fill in a visa application form?

All Russian visa application forms must be filled in on the special web-site of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://visa.kdmid.ru. All visa application forms are to be submitted in a printed form, with one recent photo of an applicant (glued on it) and his personal signature.

2. I have booked a hotel in Moscow and would like to know what do I need to do in order to get a Russian tourist visa?

Tourist trips to Russia by EU citizens is completely different from the same trips to France, Italy, Greece or Spain. Russia is a visa country for the EU citizens that is why the normal (usual) procedure (book a hotel, buy a plane ticket) doesn’t work.

If you want to go to Russia as a tourist, you may not book the hotel by yourself. So, standard booking web-sites as www.booking.com or similar may not be used to book hotels in Russia. In order to get a Russian tourist visa, you will be required to provide a tourist confirmation document that is issued only by a Russian tourist agency that is supposed to find for you a hotel that suits to your budget and responds your expectations. The hotels (97% of them) are not authorized to issue this document. They may be authorized to issue the tourist confirmation documents if they are themselves registered as a tourist agency.

You have to find such an agency by yourself in the Internet. And one more important thing – when the agency is found, you need to first ask there about the reference (registration) number that is valid in the visa system of the Russian Foreign Ministry. We recommend you to continue the contacts with that agency only in case they have such a number. The validity of the reference number is checked automatically by our visa system. If the number is not valid, the Russian consulate will not be able to print the visa.

The Russian consulate accepts copies/scans of tourist confirmation documents with a signature of an officer of that tourist agency and a stamp. The original is not required.

3. Is it possible to apply for a visa on behalf of a traveler?

For the applications in the Russian consulate. A foreign citizen or a stateless person (who does not have the Russian citizenship) must be present in the Consular section in person. Applications on behalf of a third person (even if it is a family member) are not accepted. Booking one time slot in the appointment system allows for submitting only one set of visa documents.

4. May I apply documents for a several persons? How many applications do I need to create in the online appointment system on the website and what information should be indicated?

One appointment time is made for one applicant with one set of documents for one person or for several close relatives.

Visa agents or other intermediaries who are not close relatives of the applicants may apply exclusively for a tourist visa.

For faculty professors who intend to apply for a visa together with a group of students, we recommend making 3 appointments for any three names of applicants.

5. What type of insurance do I need?

To obtain a visa to the Russian Federation, you must provide a medical insurance policy.

The insurance must be valid throughout Russia (or the world) during the entire visa period. When applying for a multiple entry visa, you need to provide an insurance policy for your first trip.

Insurance cards (or copies thereof) are not accepted.

If you are covered by a Company insurance, a signed letter from the Head of the Company clearly confirming the validity of the insurance in Russia for the entire duration of the journey would be enough.

Also, a bank confirmation on the availability of sufficient funds on your account to cover all unforeseen insured events is suitable, on the bank's letterhead with the seal and signature of the Head of the Bank.

Medical insurance policy document (copy or original) issued by a foreign insurance company or a Russian insurance company. This document is required only from the citizens of all EU countries (except Great Britain), China, Iran, Iseland State, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Swiss. This document must contain:

- the date when the agreement was signed;

- the policy number;

- the full name of the insured person;

- full details of the insurer;

- the dates of validity: the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and double-entry visas, and the duration of the first trip for multiple-entry visas;

- the list of medical services covered by the insurance, the repatriation must be included;

- the geographical area coverage: worldwide or including the Russian Federation or Europe including the Russian Federation;

- the insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros;

- the signature of the insurer.

Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the above information and standard forms stamped by the insurer are not accepted.

6. In what cases do I need HIV test?

The original of HIV test Certificate is required only from highly-skilled specialists and their accompanying persons who apply for multiple-entry work visas for the period more than 3 months on the basis of an official invitation from the Ministry of Interior (MVD) of the Russian Federation. HIV Test (AIDS) Certificate should be signed by a doctor and by the applicant, stamped by a medical organization. HIV tests Certificates without signatures and stamp are not accepted.  

Those who apply for 3 months work or study single-entry or double-entry visas are not requested to provide the HIV test Certificate.

7. Citizens of what countries are not required to have a visa to travel to the Russian Federation?

A visa to enter the Russian Federation is not required for citizens of the countries that have bilateral agreements with Russia on the cancellation or simplification of a visa regime. The visa regime of Russia with a specific state may be checked on the web-site of the Russian Embassy located in this country.

A transit visa is not required in the following situations:

- Foreign citizens fly over the territory of the Russian Federation without changing flights in the country;

- Foreign citizens flying by an international airline and changing flights in the Russian Federation, at the same airport (provided that they do not leave the transit zone) no more than 24 hours after the date of arrival.

To be noted, in Sheremetievo terminals D,E,F are located in a single transit zone. Terminal "C" is in separate transit zone/ The letters of the arrival and departure can be checked in your ticket.

Please note that if a foreign citizen travels through the territory of Russia to the countries of the Customs Union (Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan), he must apply for a transit visa if he is not a citizen of countries eligible for visa-free travel in Russia in accordance with bilateral agreements.

Very important ! Foreign citizens traveling by air to / from Belarus through the Russian Federation need to obtain a Russian transit visa.

8. I am not a citizen of the European Union, how may I obtain a Russian visa? May I obtain a Russian visa in the Malta?

Non-EU citizens may apply for a Russian visa only on the basis of a tourist invitation, on the invitation issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (unless otherwise is agreed by international treaty of Russian Federation), on the invitation for the close relatives (spouses and minor children) of Russian citizens for a joint entry to Russia.

Non-EU citizens in order to be able to apply for a Russian visa in the Malta must have an EU country residence permit.

Stateless persons may apply for a visa only in person and only if they have residence permits in the Malta. The return tickets will be required.

9. How many days may I stay in Russia with a tourist visa?

A single or a double entry tourist visa if given only for 30 days of stay in Russia. There are some exceptions – citizens of Austria, Greece, Hungary, Spain, Japan may apply for a 6 months multiple-entry tourist visas (with an authorized stay of 90 days during one trip or in total for the whole period of 6 months). Citizens of India may apply for a 6 months multiple-entry tourist visas (each stay not more than 30 days). The USA citizens may apply for a 3 year multiple-entry tourist visas (with an authorized stay of 90 days during one trip or in total per each period of 180 days).

10. I’m a transit passenger in a Russian airport. Do I need a transit visa?

If the connecting flight is within the transit zone up to 24 hours and you will not change terminals, then a transit visa is not required and will not be given for you. If you want to make a sightseeing, you need to apply for a standard tourist visa for 1 day.

To be noted, in Sheremetievo terminals D,E,F are located in a single transit zone. Terminal "C" is in separate transit zone/ The letters of the arrival and departure can be checked in your ticket.

You will need a transit visa if you stay more than 24 hours in a transit zone or if you need to leave the airport to change your mean of transport (a plane from another airport, a train and so on).

Prior to purchasing tickets, we recommend you to check with your carrier if a transit visa is required for your itinerary.

Foreign citizens who go through the Russian territory to the countries of the Customs Union (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan), in accordance with the law of the Russian Federation, are obliged to obtain the Russian transit visa if they are not citizens of countries eligible for visa-free entry to Russia in accordance with current bilateral agreements.

11. I plan to travel through Russia by vehicle, what additional documents will be required from me?

Being a transit passenger in Russia and making a tour by vehicle are different things.

Transiting means crossing through the Russian territory to go to your final destination point outside of Russia by the quickest route, for example, when a different way to get the country of destination is not possible or it will take longer time.

The visa issuance time is granted on covering 500 km/day on the quickest route through Russia. (You should provide your itinerary in a map).

Making a tour by vehicle is considered as common or car tourism. In such case you should provide a confirmation from hotel(s) or from a registered travel agency, accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which would include your travel itinerary, and places of stay along the way. In this case, your purpose of travel would be "auto-tourism".

Documents of the car registration and insurance are not required to obtain a visa. But they would be required upon crossing the border and during your journey.

12. May I obtain an urgent visa? What are visa processing times?

In cases related to humanitarian or health reasons (need of urgent treatment, serious illness or death of a close relative in Russia) the visa can be issued the same day if the applicant has required documents and comes in a person to the Consular section od the Russian Embassy.

If the urgency of the trip to Russia is proved by the supporting documents submitted by the applicant (e.g. proof of important unexpected visit, etc. of the inviting Russian organization) the visa can be issued within 3 working days.

The normal procedure takes 5-7 calendar days (for single entry or double entry visas), 10 calendar days for multiple-entry visas. For tourist visas - 5-6 working days. If you apply for your visa in the Visa Centre – the day you submit the documents is added to the above mentioned period of your visa procedure. If you apply to a third organization (e.g. a visa agency), the procedure takes more time as the agency needs to introduce your documents to the Russian Visa Centre.

Important ! Please note that the applicant’s flight ticket is not accepted as a proof of the urgency of the trip.

The visa fee for the citizens of the EU-member states coming within the Russia-EU Facilitation Agreement in this case is 70 Euros.

The visa fees for the citizens of other countries may differ.

13. I have already bought the tickets to visit the Russian Federation, but I can’t make an appointment at the Consular section in a short time. What should I do?

First, you can check the update of the online visa appointment system of the Consular section. Quite often, applicants change the dates of application or cancel their appointments.

In cases related to humanitarian or health reasons (need of urgent treatment, serious illness or death of a close relative in Russia) the emergency visa can be issued the same day if the applicant provides all the required documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate ect.) and comes in a person to the Consular section of the Russian Embassy.

If the urgency of the business trip to Russia is proved by the supporting documents submitted by the applicant (e.g. proof of important unexpected visit, etc. of the inviting Russian organization) the visa can be issued within 3 working days.

Important ! Please note that the applicant’s flight ticket is not accepted as a proof of the urgency of the trip.

Tourist visas cannot be issued in 1 working day.

The visa fee for the citizens of the EU-member states coming within the Russia-EU Facilitation Agreement in this case is 70 Euros.

The visa fees for the citizens of other countries may differ.

14. I would like to make a cruise trip with a stop in one or several Russian ports. Do I need a Russian visa?

According to the law of the Russian Federation, cruise or ferry passengers are the only category of tourists visiting Russia who are allowed to stay on the territory of the Russian Federation without visa for up to 72 hours.

Cruise ship passengers have the right to visit Russia (for example, St. Petersburg) for up to 72 hours without a Russian visa, under the following conditions:

- you need to have a valid travel passport (ID cards are not accepted);

- you have to stay in a night on the ship;

- the list of visa-free passengers of the ship is to be sent by the captain of the ship to the Russian port authorities not later than 72 hours before the ship enters the Russian port. You need to be included in that list;

- you have to be accompanied on land at all times by a licensed tour guide (with a specific state license for accompanying cruise passengers without visas);

- the territory you may visit in the city is determined by the tourist program (to be asked from your tour guide).

If you would like to have greater freedom to explore the city under your own steam, it is worth getting a Russian tourist visa before you set out on your cruise. In order to do this, you can either book accommodation in Russia.

Essentials to Remember

This visa free exception applies, only to persons who travel within an organized group and do not intend to explore the cities on their own. Cruise passengers are free to use any authorized local travel agencies (not only cruise ship tour companies) for visa-free shore tours.

We recommend that you check information on organized cruise tours and visas with your cruise company in advance.

Russia's port cities where travelers won't need a visa for up to three days are:

- St Petersburg

- Anadyr

- Kaliningrad

- Vladivostok

- Sochi

- Vyborg

- Korsakov

- Novorossiysk

5. What are the categories of foreign citizens who are authorized to apply for the Russian visa directly in the Russian consulate without an appointment? In what cases is it possible?

The following categories of foreign citizens may apply for a visa directly to the Consular section of the Russian Embassy in the Malta, without an appointment:

1. Employees of ministries and other governmental bodies of the Republic of Malta – for official trips (documents are to be submitted by applicants themselves or by the official courier of a ministry or other departments);

2. Holders of diplomatic or service passports of diplomatic or consular missions of foreign countries accredited to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Malta, as well as employees of international organizations with the headquarters in the Malta – for official trips (documents are to be submitted by applicants themselves or by the official courier of a diplomatic or consular mission or an international organization);

3. Guests of stuff members of diplomatic or consular missions of the Malta accredited in the Russian Federation;

4. Foreign citizens in case of urgent departure to the Russian Federation linked with the death or serious illness of a close relative.

16. I would like to have a 5 year Russian multiple-entry visa on the Russia-EU visa facilitation Agreement. What do I need for this?

In order to get a 5 year multiple-entry visa for the Russian Federation you need to have a previous 4 year multiple-entry Russian visa.

According to the applied in the Russian Federation rules about the period of a visa validity please, note that:

if you did not have any trip to Russia with any kind of a Russian visa over the last 12 months, the first visa you may get is a single- or double entry visa for max. 90 days;
if you had in your passport a single- or double entry visa for 90 days and you used it (a copy of the visa is required), you may apply for a 1 year multiple-entry Russian visa;
if you had two Russian visas, 1 year each, given one right after another (a copy of the visa is required), you may apply for a 2 year multiple-entry Russian visa;
if you had a 2 year multiple-entry Russian visa (a copy of the visa is required), you may apply for a 3 year multiple-entry Russian visa;
if you had a 3 year multiple-entry Russian visa (a copy of the visa is required), you may apply for a 4 year multiple-entry Russian visa;
if you had a 4 year multiple-entry Russian visa (a copy of the visa is required), you may apply for a 5 year multiple-entry Russian visa.

Every time you apply for a multiple-entry visa for the Russian Federation the decision about the length of the visa is taken by the Russian consulate Visa officer. No claims are accepted.

17. I have a cancelled Maltese passport with a valid Russian visa and a new Maltese passport without a visa. Is it possible to enter the Russian Federation if I show both passports?

According to current Russian legislation, entry to the Russian Federation of foreign citizens and stateless persons holding a cancelled passport with a valid Russian visa and a new passport without such a visa is not allowed.

In such cases foreign citizens or stateless persons are to refer to the Russian consulate that has given the visa prior to their planned trip to Russia in order to transfer the valid Russian visa from the cancelled passport to the new one.

18. I was prescribed a medicine that contains some narcotic elements. I plan to visit the Russian Federation, I have a Russian visa. What document(s) do I need in order to be authorized to bring this medicine with me to Russia?

Unfortunately, this issue in not in the competence of the Russian consulate in The Malta. We are not able to provide you the information and not able to guide you.

We recommend to contact the Russian Customs Service directly (by e-mail fts_gr@ca.customs.ru) and ask about the existing rules.

The second solution we propose is to open the English version of the Web-site of the Russian airport of your entry and contact the appropriate service.

Good luck.

19. I applied for a visa but I urgently need my passport for a unplanned trip to another country. It is possible to get my passport back, even without a Russian visa?

The visa procedure that is underway in the Russian consulate may be cancelled (stopped) by the applicant. For that the candidate for a visa has to apply with a written statement to the organisation where he has submitted his/her visa documents. All paid fees in that case are not refundable. But pay attention that the passport without a visa will be returned to its holder not earlier than after 2-3 working days.

20. May I apply for two visas simultaneously?

No. According to the law of the Russian Federation, you cannot have two valid Russian visas in your passport(s).

If you have a valid visa in your passport (for example, an unused single or double-entry visa, which you used to enter the country only once, or an unused multiple-entry visa) but you need to apply for another kind of a Russian visa, the existing visa will be cancelled. Example: you acting Russian visa is valid until the 1 of May, you have already used 90 possible days of stay in Russia but you need to go to Russia in April. So, you apply for a new visa, the previous visa will be cancelled, and a new visa is given.