The following documents should be submitted in order to obtain a visa:

1. Passport in original (valid at least 6 months prior to the expiry date of the visa which is going to be processed in most cases/ 18 months in case of work or study visa).

If any of the pages within the applicant’s passport, including the page with the photograph, is damaged or broken your visa application will be declined.

2. Filled in, signed and dated visa application form-

Only electronic application forms are processed. In order to fill in the form please visit the web-site of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. While applying for a visa, an applicant should submit an electronic application form printed out from the site. All other application forms are not accepted.

An application form should be signed and dated by the applicant personally. Please note that you have to carefully answer all questions of the visa application form in block letters either in Swedish, English or Russian. Incomplete application forms will not be processed. Any corrections made in the application forms are not permitted. Also be prepared to submit necessary documents to support information which you mention in the application form.
 

3. One recently taken color passport-size picture (35 x 45mm) of an applicant glued to the lower left corner of the application form. The picture should be:

• of true likeness and taken not earlier than 6 months ago, showing face in full;
• taken without a headgear, head covering or hat;
• taken on a clear, evenly lightened background.

4. Invitation from a host in Russia duly arranged in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation:

For tourist visa – a confirmation letter issued by an authorized hosting Russian travel agency which is registered with the MFA of Russia and has a corresponding reference number. It should contain personal data of the applicant such as full name, date of birth, passport number, dates of entry and departure to/from Russia, itinerary of the trip, reference and registration number of the Russian hosting agency, its official seal and signature of an authorized person. Fax copies of the documents could be accepted as an exception only. A consular officer has the right to ask you to provide additional documents to support your visa application such as plane/railway tickets to all points of your destination, receipts from your hosting tourist agency confirming payment for the trip and accommodation.

ATTENTION Hotel reservation itself is not enough to obtain a Russian tourist visa. However, hotel should be fully prepaid for the entire period of stay in Russia before you apply for a visa. Tourist visa could be processed within minimum 5 working days and cannot be issued for a period longer than 30 days. While entering Russia with a tourist visa, please be prepared to provide a confirmation letter as well as return ticket with the exact date of departure from Russia at the border control point. You also may be asked to prove that you have sufficient funds for your travel.(an invitation from the Federal Migration Service or Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ tourist document ( confirmation letter issued by an authorized Russian travel agency) or a letter of invitation from a Russian hosting company or organization (for EU citizens)).

For private visa – an official invitation (originals only are accepted) issued by the Federal Migration Board of the Russian Federation. The original of the invitation should be sent to the applicant directly.

A citizen of the EU member state who legally resides, works or studies on the territory of the Russian Federation can invite his close relatives – spouse, children (including adopted ones), parents (including guardians), grandparents and grandchildren – by taking advantage of a simplified procedure. An invitation (originals only are accepted) written by the hosting person which should be certified by a Russian notarius publicus. The invitation should be standard and contain the following information:

• for the hosting person - first  and family name, residence address in the Russian Federation;
• for the visiting person - first  and family name, date of birth, sex, current citizenship(s), passport number, purpose and period of visit, number of entries requested.

Copy of a document confirming that the hosting person legally resides in Russia: permanent or temporary residence permit, work or study visa valid for a period of stay exceeding 90 days.

Document which certifies relationship between the hosting and visiting persons. Those could be, in particular, certificates of birth, marriage, or name change. For the Swedish citizens it could be a Personbevis containing all necessary information. The above-mentioned documents are accepted in Russian, English or Swedish.

For transit visa:

A valid visa of the country of your final destination or a confirmation in written form from any official source (i.e. web-site of the corresponding Embassy) that a visa is not needed to enter the country of your final destination;
Original and a copy of your confirmed air ticket to and from Russia (reservations and confirmation of booking are not accepted).
A transit visa is not required if you stay in the transit zone of the Russian airport waiting for your connection within 24 hours of arrival.
A transit visa is mainly issued in case You do not have a possibility to travel directly from the country of your departure to the country of your final destination.

For work or study visa:

An official invitation for work or study (originals only are accepted) issued by the Federal Migration Board of the Russian Federation. The invitation could be processed on behalf of the organization inviting you to visit Russia with work or study purposes by a Local Office of the Federal Migration Board. The original of the invitation should be sent to the applicant directly.
According to the Russian legislation, a foreign citizen or a stateless person intending to stay in Russia longer than 90 days should submit an HIV-test certificate along with the visa application (as a rule, it should be made not later than 3 months ago).

For business or humanitarian visa (EU member states citizens):

One of the documents specified below as per the purpose of your trip to Russia:
For members of official delegations participating in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programs as well as in events organized in Russia by the intergovernmental bodies:
an official letter issued by a Swedish competent authority or another EU member state, or by a European institution confirming that the applicant is a member of an official delegation travelling to the Russian Federation (originals only are accepted) to participate in the aforementioned events, along with a copy of an official invitation from a Russian government organization or intergovernmental body. A visa could be single entry or multiple re-entry (if a person is intending to participate in official meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programs as well as in events organized in Russia by the intergovernmental bodies on a regular basis).

For businessmen and representatives of business community (EU member states citizens):

an invitation letter issued by a hosting company, organization or its branch office, Russian state and local authorities or organizing committees of trade and industrial exhibitions, conferences and symposia organized in the Russian Federation. The document should be submitted to the Consular Section in original only and contain the following information:
- for the hosting organization – full title, legal address in the Russian Federation, Russian tax authority registration number;
- for the visiting person - first and family name, date of birth, sex, current citizenship(s), passport number, purpose and period of visit, number of entries requested.
An invitation should be signed by an authorized person and bear an official seal of the hosting organization. Please note that the Consular Section reserves the right to make an investigation on whether information contained in the invitation is true. A business visa could be single entry or multiple re-entry.

For drivers involved in international cargo and passenger transportation services between the territories of the Russian Federation and Sweden on vehicles registered in the Russian Federation or any of the EU member state (EU member states citizens):

a request issued by the Swedish national association (union) of carriers (originals only are accepted) stating the purpose, duration and frequency of trips and containing the following information:
- for the organization – full title, legal address in Sweden, registration number;
- for the driver - first  and family name, date of birth, sex, current citizenship(s), passport number, purpose and period of visit, number of entries requested.
An invitation should be signed by an authorized person and bear an official seal of the organization. This type of visa could be single entry or multiple re-entry.

For journalists (not including free-lancers) visiting Russia to cover certain events, as well as to make an interview on their employer’s initiative, etc. but not going to work in Russia as accredited journalists (EU member states citizens):

a) a certificate or other document issued by a Swedish mass media association (union) confirming that the applicant is a professional journalist (originals only are accepted);
b) a written request from the applicant’s employer stating that the purpose of the journey specified in the document would be professional (originals only are accepted) and containing the following information:

• for the organization - full title, legal address in Sweden, registration number;
• for the journalist - first  and family name, date of birth, sex, current citizenship(s), passport number, purpose and period of visit, number of entries requested.

An invitation should be signed by an authorized person and bear an official seal of the organization. This type of visa could be single entry or multiple re-entry.

For persons participating in scientific and cultural activities, including university and study exchange programs (EU member states citizens):

an invitation letter issued by a hosting company to participate in the above-mentioned activities (originals only are accepted) containing the following information:

• for the hosting organization – full title, legal address in the Russian Federation, Russian tax authority registration number;
• for the visiting person - first  and family name, date of birth, sex, current citizenship(s), passport number, purpose and period of visit, number of entries requested.

An invitation should be signed by an authorized person and bear an official seal of the organization. This type of visa could be single entry or multiple re-entry.

For scholars, post-graduate students and teachers who are planning trips for the sake of study or educational training, including exchange programs as well as other study related activities (EU member states citizens):

a) a document confirming that the applicant is a scholar, student or a teacher such as a student card issued by the university, or international student ID card, or an official letter from the applicant’s educational institution.
b) an invitation letter or a certificate of enrolment (originals only are accepted) from the Russian hosting university, academy, institute, college or school or the courses to be attended containing the following information:
- for the hosting organization - full title, legal address in the Russian Federation, Russian tax authority registration number;
- for the visiting person - first  and family name, date of birth, sex, current citizenship(s), passport number, purpose and period of visit, number of entries requested.
An invitation should be signed by an authorized person and bear an official seal of the organization. This type of visa could be single entry only. The visa is processed on a free of charge basis. Please note that this applies to those ones only who visit Russia for a short-term study or attend courses. Those ones who are intending to study in Russia longer than 3 month should apply for a study visa.

For participants of international sports events and persons accompanying them in professional capacity (EU member states citizens):

an invitation letter (originals only are accepted) from the Russian hosting organization or competent authorities such as national sport federations, or National Olympic Committee of the Russian Federation containing the following information:

• for the hosting organization - full title, legal address in the Russian Federation, Russian tax authority registration number;
• for the visiting person - first  and family name, date of birth, sex, current citizenship(s), passport number, purpose and period of visit, number of entries requested.

An invitation should be signed by an authorized person and bear an official seal of the organization. This type of visa could be single entry or multiple re-entry.

For participants of twin cities exchange programs (EU member states citizens):

a request (originals only are accepted) from the Head of Administration/Mayor of a Swedish city confirming that the applicant is a member of a corresponding delegation travelling to the twin city on the territory of the Russian Federation, along with a copy of an official invitation from the Head of Administration/Mayor of a Russian twin city.
This type of visa could be single entry or multiple re-entry (if a person is intending to participate in official meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programs as well as other events organized in Russia by the authorities of twin cities on a regular basis).
A single-entry visa allows to stay in Russia no longer than 90 days. You are entitled to apply for single-entry visas multiple times in a row, however, the total period of your stay in Russia cannot exceed 90 days per period of each 180 days. The medical insurance should cover the entire period of your stay in Russia. The standard visa processing fee within 4 to 10 calendar days for the citizens of Sweden as well as other EU member states is 375 SEK (35 EUR). Emergency visas with up to 3 days of processing time are possible for a double fee in the amount of 750 SEK (70 EUR). Please do not pay the amount until the consular officer examines all documents and makes a decision on your application. Also, be informed that a consular officer could specify a longer period of processing your visa application. ThAn invitation should be signed by an authorized person and bear an official seal of the organization. This type of visa could be single entry or multiple re-entry. e period of processing could in several cases be prolonged up to 30 calendar days due to certain reasons.
A multiple re-entry visa could be issued for a period of maximum 5 years.
Please, note the following:

• you are entitled to apply for a multiple re-entry visa valid up to one year if you have obtained at least one single entry visa in the past, used it and did not violate the Russian migration laws;
• you are entitled to apply for a multiple re-entry visa valid up to minimum of two years and maximum of five years if you have obtained at least one multiple re-entry visa in the past 2 years, used it and did not violate the Russian migration laws.

For visiting а military or civil grave (EU member states citizens)

A citizen of the EU member state is allowed once per year to visit a grave of his relative by taking advantage of a simplified procedure.
Official document which certifies relationship between the applicant and the buried person is to be submitted. Those could be, in particular, certificates of birth, marriage or name change. For the Swedish citizens it could be a Personbevis containing all necessary information. The above-mentioned documents are accepted in Russian, English or Swedish.

For visiting the Russian Federation in case of serious illness or death of a close relative.

A foreign citizen could visit the Russian Federation in case of a serious illness or death of a close relative.
An official document confirming the fact of illness or death of a close relative. It could be an international wire confirmed by a doctor or a certificate of death (fax copies are accepted);
Official document which certifies relationship between the applicant and the sick or deceased person. Those could be, in particular, certificates of birth, marriage or name change. For the Swedish citizens it could be a Personbevis containing all necessary information. The above-mentioned documents are accepted in Russian, English or Swedish.
A personal statement of the applicant containing the reason for the request and the address in the Russian Federation where the applicant is planning to stay. A single-entry visa could be granted by decision of the Head of the Consular Section for the period of stay not exceeding 30 days. It could be processed immediately without a charge.

5. Confirmation of medical insurance valid for travel to Russia containing the following information: name of the traveler, period of travel and validity.

The validity period should cover the entire proposed trip to Russia. For multiple re-entry visas the validity period of the insurance should cover not less than 90 days of staying in Russia during the period of each 180 days of the visa validity.

6. Consular fee and visa processing fee (the latter when applying for a Russian visa through the Russian Visa Center).

Payment for processing of visa should be made on the day of submitting your application, making it in advance is not welcome. Fees should be paid in Swedish crowns by debit card.

Additional information

1. Visa processing time starts only when a full set of appropriate documents has been submitted to the Consular Section of the Embassy. Russian Visa Center normally delivers documents to the Consular Section of the Embassy on the day they are handled in by the applicant or the next business day. Sending any additional documents to the Consular Section by fax or in the mail later is not permitted.
2. The Consular Section of the Embassy reserves the right to invite applicants for an interview and ask specific questions about private, financial, business or corporate-related details associated with their trip as well as about their Russian counterparts, partners and relatives.
3. A consular officer could specify a longer period of processing your visa application. The period of processing could in several cases be prolonged up to 30 calendar days due to certain reasons.
4. As a general rule, any visa application could be submitted not earlier than 3 months before your travel date.
5. Applicants who used to be citizens of the Russian Federation and/or emigrated from Russia after February 6, 1992, should submit along with their application a document confirming that they are no longer Russian citizens, e.g. an official certificate issued by the Consular Section that they had abandoned Russian citizenship. Otherwise the applications could not be processed. According to the Russian legislation, a citizen of the Russian Federation has to enter or exit Russia with valid Russian documents only.
6. If you have replaced your passport with a new one and it does not contain a valid Russian visa, you should obtain a new one into the new passport. In order to do so you could apply to a Consular Section where you have received the previous visa and transfer it into the new passport.
7. If you travel from Belarus to Russia or to other neighbor countries through the territory of Russia, you still need to obtain a Russian visa.
8. Please be advised that you are not allowed to have two valid Russian visas simultaneously. If you are intending to apply for a new visa before the previous one has expired, the latter one would be cancelled.
9. Once the visa is processed, its type, dates of entry/exit as well as issuance date cannot be changed. After the visa is obtained by the applicant, please make sure that all data is correct (passport number, date of birth, period of validity) and, if necessary, return it to the Consular Section for making adjustments. The Consular Section assumes no responsibility for any discrepancies in visas which have not been brought to our attention prior to your departure from Sweden.
10. Providing false or misleading information or failing to provide relevant information in your application form or to a consular officer during an interview could be a reason to decline your application.
11. There are several internet web-sites which offer to purchase «invitations» to enter the Russian Federation, both for tourism and business. Please be informed that according to the Russian legislation selling or purchasing of those documents via Internet is illegal, «invitations» obtained via Internet cannot serve as reason to obtain a Russian visa and will not be accepted. Please read carefully the information below and follow easy instructions to process your Russian visa without any excessive problems.
12. In order to apply for a russian visa citizens of the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Chad, China, DPRK, Ethiopia, Georgia, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Vietnam must have Permanent Resident Card (Permanent Uppehållstillstånd) in Sweden.
13. In accordance with the Russian legislation, foreign citizens enter the Russian Federation on valid national passport with a valid russian visa. Please note that canceled national passport with a valid russian visa can not be used to enter the Russian Federation even if you have new valid passport without a valid russian visa.