Private visa

Private visa is issued to foreign citizens entering Russian Federation to visit relatives or friends.

Please note, you can only apply for visa maximum three months in advance.

A Standard private visa issued to citizens of the Netherlands, other countries or stateless persons entering the Russian Federation as 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, or a legal entity.

  1. An invitation to enter the Russian Federation issued by the Federal Migration Service 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, or a legal entity;
  2. A written application from a citizen of the Russian Federation made out to the director of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Netherlands regarding their joint entry into the Russian Federation with members of his family, who are minors or foreign nationals;
  3. A written notarised application from a citizen of the European Union who lives legally in the Russian Federation and invites their next of kin.

Foreign nationals may be issued also with a standard private visa due to the need to enter the Russian Federation because of urgent treatment, or following the serious illness or death of a close relative and provided a written confirmation of the need to provide urgent medical assistance or of the serious illness or the death of a near relative. Private visas are issued for a period of up to 90 days and may be either single-entry or double-entry.

Special cases

Individuals attending military or civil funerals must provide the following documents (In accordance with the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the European Union on simplifying the process of issuing visas to citizens of the Russian Federation and the EU):

  • The original or a notarised copy of the document confirming that the funeral is taking place. The document must have been issued by the Russian authorities or by the Red Cross;
  • The original or a copy of the document confirming that the applicant and the deceased are related (next-of-kin*). *Next-of-kin shall be understood to mean parents, children, grandchildren, spouses, grandmothers, grandfathers and siblings.
  • Individuals attending military or civil funerals are, as a general rule, issued with short-term private visas valid for 14 days.

For urgent treatment, or following the serious illness or death of a close relative, due to the need to enter the Russian Federation, foreign nationals may be issued with an standard private visa based on the decision of the Ambassador of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Netherlands upon written application by the foreign national.

The application must have the following attached to it:

  • written confirmation from the Russian medical institution, on the institution’s official headed paper (stamped with its seal) of the need to provide urgent medical assistance, emergency hospital treatment or an emergency examination, or of the serious illness of the individual they are visiting, requiring constant care or;
  • the death certificate of the person to whom the applicant is next-of-kin (next-of-kin shall be understood to mean spouses, children, parents, including parents-in-law if one half of a married couple is being accompanied, and siblings or;
  • an international telegram confirming the death of a citizen, stamped by an authorized individual from the communications’ authorities or;
  • a document confirming the next-of-kin relationship between the applicant and the individual they are visiting, or the close relationship between the applicant and the deceased.

Dear applicants!

Please note that while applying for a Russian visa you will be requested to leave your passport for the whole period of the application process.

In order to apply for a private visa the applicant is required to provide 6 main documents which are mentioned below. Please note that depending on the provided invitation, extra documents will be requested as well. This information is mentioned after the list of main document.

Please note, that starting from November 9, 2021 all non-Dutch citizens residing in the Netherlands should provide a confirmation for continuous stay to apply for a visa to Russia in the Netherlands: residence permit, or an extract from the BPR (Municipal Personal Records Database) as proof of permanent residency.

In order to apply for standard single-entry or double-entry private visas, you must provide the following 6 main documents:

  1. Please find below three different options:
    1. An invitation to enter the Russian Federation issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia), following an application by a citizen of the Russian Federation or a foreign national who has obtained residency in the Russian Federation, or a legal entity;
    2. A written application from a citizen of the Russian Federation made out to the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Netherlands regarding their joint entry into the Russian Federation with members of his family, who are minors or foreign nationals. Please download the form here;
    3. A notarised application from a citizen of the European Union, who lives legally in the Russian Federation and invites his close relatives – close relatives shall be understood to mean parents, children, grandchildren, spouses, grandmothers, grandfathers and siblings. The copies of the documents confirming his legal residence must be attached to his application: residence permit, temporary residence permit, student or work visa;

The copies of the certificates issued by the civil registry office or the similar documents issued by the appropriate authority abroad. In the case of the applications from grandparents or grandchildren there must be copies of two certificates of the civil registry office, or of the similar documents that are issued by the appropriate authority abroad. These documents must prove the kinship of the mentioned persons.

  1. Original passport containing at least 2 blank pages in a page opening, valid for a period of 6 months after the visa expires;
  2. Online application form completed on the website kdmid.ru, printed and signed in person by the applicant;

When selecting the location where you are going to submit your documents, you must state the visa centre where you intend to submit your documents and not “The Embassy”.

  1. Colour Photograph – please see Photo Specifications page. The photo must be glued (not stapled!) on the visa application form.
  2. Personal medical insurance policy document, valid in the territory of the Russian Federation.

It is allowed to provide either health or travel insurance. Please note that plastic insurance card issued by the insurance company is not enough and, therefore, is not accepted.

The insurance document must contain the date when the agreement was signed, the policy number, full name and full details of insured person as well as the signature of the insurer. The policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-, double-entry visas, and the duration of the first entry for multiple-entry visas. It has to be clearly stated in the policy that the cover territory is worldwide or the Russian Federation, or Europe, including Russia. The insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros.

Citizens of the following countries have to provide insurance: EU, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Ireland, Israel, Monaco and Iran.

Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the information above and standard forms stamped by the insurer will not be accepted. Guarantee letters from the employer are not accepted as insurance as well.

  1. Valid Dutch residence permit (not required if the applicant is a citizen of the EU or the USA). If the applicant is not a citizen of EU or the USA, please contact our call-centre for more detailed information.

Attention for citizens holding UK, Irish, Danish and Norwegian passports:

It is requested to provide an official document proving an official registered residence in the territory of The Netherlands (“Uittreksel uit de basisregistratie personen”) or an official residence permit in case it was applied for.

Extra additional documents for those applicants who have chosen the second type of the invitation (a written application from a citizen of the Russian Federation made out to the director of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in The Netherlands):

  1. Valid Russian Foreign Passport of the applicant-Russian citizen + copy
  2. Document confirming legal residency of the applicant-Russian citizen in the Netherlands (visa, residence permit, passport) + copy
  3. Documents proving the relationship to the applicant-Russian citizen (marriage certificate, birth certificate) + copy
  4. Copy of the first main page of the applicant’s passport
  5. All other 6 main above-mentioned documents;

It is required to provide original documents while applying for a private visa with an invitation made out to the director of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in The Netherlands.

Appearance in person:

When applying for a private visa with an invitation made out to the director of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in The Netherlands, the documents have to be submitted to the Russian Visa Application Centre in person by a citizen of the Russian Federation (by the inviting person).

Appearance in person of the inviting person- citizen of the Russian Federation: is mandatory;

Appearance in person of the relatives (children and / or spouse): not required.

This type of invitation submitted by applicants being in a partnership is not accepted.

Private visas under this procedure can only be received by the following categories of close relatives: spouses, minor children and disabled children of the applicant, a citizen of the Russian Federation.

The standard maximum validity period of a single-entry or a double-entry private visa is 90 days.

For citizens holding German, Swiss, Spanish, Hungarian and Japanese passports:

It is possible to apply for multiple-entry private visas only for above mentioned citizens on the basis of bilateral agreements of the Russian Federation with these countries. In order to apply for multiple-entry private visas, it is required to provide the same above-mentioned documents.

The validity period of a multiple-entry private visa issued:

  1. On the basis of bilateral agreements of the Russian Federation with Germany, Swiss and Spain is up to 6 months (the authorized stay is 90 days at one trip or in total),
  2. On the basis of bilateral agreements of the Russian Federation with Hungary and Japan is up to 1 year (the authorized stay is not more than 90 days in any 180-day period).

Attention for citizens holding UK, Irish and Norwegian passports:

It is requested to provide an official document proving an official registered residence in the territory of The Netherlands (“Uittreksel uit de basisregistratie personen”) or an official residence permit in case it was applied for.

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in The Netherlands may require additional documents before issuing a visa, or invite you to an interview or extend the time required for consideration of your visa application.

Payment of the consular and service charges may be made at the Visa Centre.

Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself. The photographs should be:

  • 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
  • Clear share quality and with the face in focus.
  • Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
  • Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).
  • Please stick the Photograph on the visa application form.

Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete.

Dear applicants!

Please note that while applying for a Russian visa you will be requested to leave your passport for the whole period of the application process.

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Netherlands process visa applications and decide whether or not to issue a visa within the processing times service standards of up to 30 working days. This is subject to a complete set of documents being provided and consular fees paid.

The standard maximum validity period of a single-entry or a double-entry private visa is 90 days.

The validity period of a multiple-entry private visa issued:

  • on the basis of bilateral agreements of the Russian Federation with Germany, Swiss and Spain is up to 6 months (the authorized stay is 90 days at one trip or in total),
  • on the basis of bilateral agreements of the Russian Federation with Hungary and Japan is up to 1 year (the authorized stay is not more than 90 days in any 180-day period).

Processing times vary from application to application and are at the sole discretion of the Russian Consulate. Please note that for some nationals the visa processing time may take up to 30 days, and is solely at the Embassies discretion.

The processing times may vary according to the decision of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Netherlands.

For citizens holding European passports and all other countries:

Normal applications will take minimum 7 calendar days.

For the citizens of Australia:

The visa processing time will take minimum 14 calendar days.

For the citizens of United Kingdom and New Zealand:

The visa processing time will take minimum 7 calendar days.

For travellers to Dagestan, Chechen Republic, North Ossetia, Alany, Ingushetia:

The visa processing time will take minimum 10 calendar days, in case if they have MVD invitation.

The processing of your application is subject to the procedures and timescales of the Russian Federation, over which we have no control.

Please note that there is no urgent procedure for a private visa in The Hague.

Please note!
Payments are only possible by PIN transaction (no visa or MasterCard).

According to the Russia-EU visa facilitation agreement for citizens of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia) and in accordance with the bilateral agreements for citizens of Norway, Denmark, Iceland State, Liechtenstein and Swiss

PROCESSING TIME CONSULAR FEE SERVICE FEE
(INCL. VAT)
ORDINARY PRIVATE VISA
SINGLE-ENTRY/ DOUBLE/MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA
WITH A TOTAL PERIOD OF STAY IN RUSSIA NO MORE THAN
90 DAYS PER PERIOD OF 180 DAYS
7-10 calendar days 75,20 EUR/120,30 EUR /225,70 EUR 40 EUR
VISA FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE IN RUSSIA
42.30 EUR 40 EUR
CONSULAR FEE SERVICE FEE
(INCL. VAT)
RENEWAL AND TRANSFER OF VISA
33.80 EUR 40 EUR

For citizens of other countries and stateless persons

PROCESSING TIME CONSULAR FEE SERVICE FEE
(INCL. VAT)
ORDINARY PRIVATE VISA
SINGLE-ENTRY/ DOUBLE-ENTRY VISA
7 calendar days 75.2/ 120.3 EUR 40 EUR
3 working days 150.4/ 240.6 EUR 40 EUR
VISA FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE IN RUSSIA
42.30 EUR 40 EUR
CONSULAR FEE SERVICE FEE
(INCL. VAT)
RENEWAL AND TRANSFER OF VISA
33.80 EUR 40 EUR

For citizens of Angola, Vietnam:

PROCESSING TIME CONSULAR FEE SERVICE FEE
(INCL. VAT)
ORDINARY PRIVATE
SINGLE-ENTRY/ DOUBLE-ENTRY/ MULTIPLE-ENTRY VISA
7 calendar days 37,6 EUR / 60,2 EUR/ 112,8 EUR 40 EUR
3 working days 75,2 EUR / 120,4 EUR/ 225,7 EUR 40 EUR
CONSULAR FEE SERVICE FEE
(INCL. VAT)
VISA FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE IN RUSSIA
42.30 EUR 40 EUR

For citizens of China:

PROCESSING TIME CONSULAR FEE SERVICE FEE
(INCL. VAT)
ORDINARY PRIVATE
SINGLE-ENTRY/ DOUBLE-ENTRY/ MULTIPLE-ENTRY VISA
7 calendar days 47 EUR / 94 EUR/ 141 EUR 40 EUR
3 working days 75,2 EUR / 122,3 EUR/ 169,2 EUR 40 EUR
1 working day 112,8 EUR / 159,8 EUR/ 206,9 EUR 40 EUR
CONSULAR FEE SERVICE FEE
(INCL. VAT)
VISA FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE IN RUSSIA
42.30 EUR 40 EUR

For citizens of Japan:

PROCESSING TIME CONSULAR FEE SERVICE FEE
(INCL. VAT)
ORDINARY PRIVATE
SINGLE-ENTRY/ DOUBLE-ENTRY/ MULTIPLE-ENTRY VISA
7 calendar days 0 EUR / 0 EUR/ 0 EUR 40 EUR
1 – 3 working days 82 EUR / 82 EUR/ 82 EUR 40 EUR
CONSULAR FEE SERVICE FEE
(INCL. VAT)
VISA FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENCE IN RUSSIA
42.30 EUR 40 EUR

For US citizens:

PROCESSING TIME CONSULAR FEE SERVICE FEE
(INCL. VAT)
ORDINARY PRIVATE
SINGLE-ENTRY/ DOUBLE-ENTRY / MULTIPLE-ENTRY VISA
7 calendar days / 10 calendar days (for multiple-entry visa) 150.4 EUR / 150.4 EUR / 150.4 EUR 40 EUR
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