(Visitor’s/Private Visa is issued  for a period no longer than 90 days
and can be single-entry or double-entry)

  • Application form completed and signed by applicant with 1 photo (3,5 cm X 4,5 cm, color) glued to the form.

NOTE! Incomplete visa application may result in rejection of documents. 

  • Valid Passport (only in original and valid for at least six months after the last day of the intended stay in Russia).

NOTE! Non-South African nationals must submit valid Residence Permit (Work Permit) in RSA or copy of RSA ID (RSA passport). 

  • Inviting person, Russian citizen must appeal to the local representation of the Federal Migration Service of Russia in order to organize an official invitation.

A foreigner currently residing in Russia appeals to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia  for the invitation.

NOTE! Only original invitation is accepted when lodging a visa application.

  • Copy of medical/travel insurance for the whole period of stay in Russia. We encourage all our visitors to have a valid insurance to cover any unforeseen medical expenses, which are usually rather costly abroad. Please note, that this requirement is mandatory for EU-citizens (Schengen Zone countries) only.

  • Copy of return air ticket.

Private visas for close relatives of a Russian citizen

 

If your close relative (spouses, parents (adoptive parents), children (adopted children), spouses of sons or daughters, siblings and half-siblings, grandparents, grandchildren) is a Russian citizen with valid Russian travel and internal passport - this Russian relative may submit special visa invitation to the Consulate to issue a private visa for you.

Visa processing time for this type of visa is not less than ten business days (no express service).

This type of visa can be multi-entry valid for one year or single/double-entry valid for 3 months.

 

Documents required:

 

1. Visa application form, printed out from this website only. No blank spaces must be left. If a question does not apply, please type "N/A". If the answer is none, write "None". Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with or fall within the period specified in the supporting documents. The form should bear the original signature of applicant and must be well readable. Please state clearly your contact telephone number (office and after hours). Incomplete forms, forms with no signature, forms with corrections, forms filled out illegibly or with different pens will be returned to the applicants unprocessed.

2. One photo (3,5 by 4,5 cm) in color taken against a light background (white or off - white). The photo needs to display a full frontal view of the face. The facial image must be sharp and clear. Sunglasses or tinted glasses are not permitted. Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and in this case there shall be a similar photo with a head covering in the applicant's passport. The photo must be glued on the form strictly at reserved place. If photograph presented does not meet the requirements an application will be considered incomplete.

3. Valid international passport or another ID recognized as such in the Russian Federation with at least 2 blank pages for visas. The passport should be submitted in original only and should be valid for at least 18 months after visa's expiration date stated in the invitation.

4. Special application to the Consul General of the Russian Federation (must be filled out and signed by your Russian close relative).

5. Copy of the valid Russian Passports (travel and internal) of the Russian citizen-close relative. 

6.  Copy of official documents confirming the decree of your relationship with the Russian citizen (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.)

Copies of the documents must be provided with the original documents only.

If your Russian close relative cannot visit the Consulate together with you to apply for your visa, you may apply for such a visa only if this special visa application, passport copies and documents proving your relationship with this Russian citizen are verified by a Russian notary office. Only original notarized copies of the documents and original application with notarized signature of your Russian close relative accepted.

7. In case of visa application for a period of more than 3 months, in addition must be provided 1) official hospital HIV (AIDS) Test Certificate taken in last three months; 2) a health insurance covering the period of first entry.

  1. Consular fee. Visa processing fees and time you can find in the "General information" section of the website. We accept cash only.  Accepted visa processing fees received from the applicant are not subject for reimbursement in any circumstances. Payments exceeding R 10 000 can be managed differently, please enquire before the application.