Russia Business Visa – Eligibility, Fees and How to Apply
If you are looking forward to do business in any part of Russia, the most ideal visa for you is the Russian business visa.
Russian business visa is a unique type of visa that creates possibilities for foreign businesspersons to travel to Russia in order to conduct business-related activities. Examples of such business activities include business negotiations, meetings, etc. You can also apply for a Russian business visa to receive your government subsidies in person.
Applying for this type of visa takes a processing time up to ten (10) working days, and costs about $160. Russian business visa is obtainable from any Russian embassy or consulate in your country.
Travelers are definitely required to provide a proof of funds to demonstrate sufficient money to cover for their living expenses in Russia. You also need to possess a valid invitation from the Russia-based company that you’re conducting the business with.
Continue reading to learn more about the Russian business visa, and its requirements, application fees, procedures, etc.
What is a Russia Business Visa?
A Russia business visa is a type of visa that enables foreigners to do business in Russia. This type of visa works differently from other types of visa. It serves as an endorsement for foreigners to carry out their business in Russia.
You can surely get a Russia business visa by visiting a Russian embassy or consulate. However, you must meet a number of requirements to get a Russia business visa. These include possessing a valid passport or travel document, and a recent proof of funds.
Russia Business Visa Processing Time
If you’re considering to get a Russia business visa, it is important to take note of the processing time for the visa. The processing time for Russia business visa can take up to ten (10) days, depending on the embassy or consulate in your home country.
It is best to start your application in advance to your intended date of travel.
Russia Business Visa Fees
The fees for Russia business visa varies on several factors, which includes your country of origin, the type of visa, etc. Russia business visa fees is around $160.
Russia Business Visa Requirements
To obtain a Russian business visa, it is necessary to make provision of some documents, as well as meet certain requirements, as noted below.
#1. A valid travel document of your home country such as a passport
#2. Visa support for business visits, which may include one of the following invitation letters;
- Original copy of an invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation. You can provide a softcopy (.pdf) or hardcopy of this requirement.
It is without doubt that your business associate in Russia can provide you with this document.
- An invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation can serve as your visa support for business visits. It is surely the responsibility of your business associate in Russia to help you get this document from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bear in mind that the invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has a 6-digit number, which you need to apply and process your business visa.
- An invitation letter from a Russia-based organization. This requirement is applicable only to citizens of countries in the visa facilitation agreements with Russia.
Be sure that the letter features the stamp and signature of organization’s head. The company must print the invitation on the company’s official paper.
Steps to Apply for a Russian Business Visa
If you wish to travel to Russia for business, you need to familiarize yourself with the visa application procedures.
Thus, below are few steps to guide you in applying for business visa to Russia.
- Prepare all paperwork
- Visit the Russian embassy or consulate
- Obtain visa application form, fill out and submit
- Await your visa application processing
STEP 1: Prepare all paperwork
The first step to apply for a Russia business visa is to put your paperwork together. Among which are your passport, proof of identification such as a driver’s license.
Without these documents, you’ll be unable to process your visa application.
STEP 2: Visit the Russian embassy or consulate
The next step in getting a Russia business visa is to visit a Russian embassy or consulate in your country of residence in order to initiate the application process.
The embassy or consulate will definitely be of help in obtaining the visa. Ensure that you bring along all necessary documents, like your passport, proof of funds (account statement), among other supporting documents.
STEP 3: Obtain visa application form, fill out and submit
While at the embassy, you need to request for a visa application form. You’ll then complete all required fields on the form, and submit it to the embassy for processing.
STEP 4: Await your visa application processing
After completing your visa application, you have to allow for some time in order to enable the embassy or consulate to begin its processing. This often takes up to ten (10) days.
If the embassy approved your business visa application, you can proceed to book your flight ticket, and travel for your business.
Duration of Russia Business Visas
Indeed, Russia business visas have a validity period of 3 months, which you can extend by another 3 months if able to satisfy a number of requirements.
You can only apply for a Russia business visa for business purpose, and not for any other reason such as tourism or study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get to know answers to a number of questions always asked about getting a business visa to Russia.
Does Russia have a business visa?
Yes, there is a business visa in Russia for foreigners who want to carry out a legal business activity or transaction in any part of Russia. To get this visa, you need to qualify by meeting few requirements and providing certain documents.
Which business is good in Russia?
A large number of businesses have great performance in Russia. These include the oil and gas sector, construction business, agricultural business, wood processing business, tourism business, etc.
How much does a Russian business visa cost?
The cost of getting a business visa to travel to Russia is typically around $160, depending on the country where you’re applying from.
How do I get a Russian business visa?
To get a Russian business visa, you have to gather a number of supporting documents to help you facilitate your application. Besides, you must visit an embassy or consulate in your country in order to get a copy of the visa application form.
Be sure to fill all required fields on the form, and submit it on time to the embassy. On average, you must wait for about 10 days to allow the embassy to process your application.
How long can a foreigner stay in Russia on a business visa?
If your business visa got approval, you’ll be able to stay in Russia and conduct your business for up to 3 months. It’s a violation to stay longer than your visa validity period.
Can I overstay a Russian business visa?
Yes, you can overstay your Russian business visa, but it’s a violation to the law. As such, you’ll face severe penalties. To avoid such penalty, it is best for you to leave the country as soon as your business visa expires without exceeding the day.
Can a foreigner start a business in Russia?
Yes, it is allowable for foreigners to establish a business in Russia as the Russian Federation permits it.
Can you own a small business in Russia?
Yes, you can set up and run a small business in any part of Russia inasmuch as you possess a valid residence permit. You may also need to have the visa required by self-employed persons in Russia.
Is it hard to get Russian business visa?
No, it is relatively easy to procure a Russian business visa, compared to most countries of the world. The application process of the business visa requires few paperwork, which also makes it easy for you.
Why do Russia business visas get rejected?
Applications for business visas to Russia may be rejected for different reasons. These include if the applicant submitted an incomplete or wrongly filled out application form for the visa.
A Russian embassy may also reject your application if you provided an invalid supporting document to facilitate your application. Finally, the embassy or consulate may refuse business visa applications of foreigners who have been banned to enter Russia for whatever reason.
Conclusion
All things considered, a Russia business visa can help you take business opportunities in any part of Russia. The visa application process is very simple, and you can start the process by reaching out to the embassy or consulate in your home country. Without doubt, getting a business visa offers you a great way to expand your business operations overseas.
By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you’ll be able to streamline the visa application process as much as possible. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!
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