Visa

Almost all foreigners need visa when traveling to Russia. Exceptions are citizens of few states that were part of former Soviet Union. For personal visa, one needs to have a valid passport, one passport photo, copy of travel insurance, completed visa application form and invitation or recommendation from hotel or private person with which you're planning to stay. When travelling by using travel agency, the agency takes care of invitations. Group visa is available for Finnish citizens.

Processing time for personal and group visas is usually 5-6 working days. One can also get visa by express processing in three days for extra fee. Longer visas, such as double entry and 12 month visas, have processing times of 4-6 weeks. For longer visas, applicants passport must be valid until six months after visa expires.

Visa registration is mandatory on longer trips. In Russia there are so called "registration agencies" that register visas. These agencies may charge 20-200 euros for registration, and that may also take time. On package tours, travel agency takes care of visa registration. If you're traveling on your own, it is easiest to register your visa by staying in a hotel for at least one night. Visa registration procedures and practised are not yet consistent and uniform; at least for trips shorter than five days, the registration is not demanded.