TDS; Passports, Visas, Travel Documents

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REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS TO OBTAIN VISA TO ENTER THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Requirements for Tourist Visa
Requirements for Business or Invited Guest
Requirements for Private or Home Stay Visit
Requirements for Transit Visa

Tourist Visa

ORIGINAL Passport, signed, (valid for further 6 months) required to be submitted, PLUS a photocopy
1 Visa Application Form, fully completed and signed.

Application Form (for US citizens)

Application Form (for NON-US citizens)

The Application Form must be completed in CAPITALS
1 recent passport-type photograph. The photo must not be smaller than 1 3/4" x 1 3/4". The photo must have a white or gray background only.
Non-U.S. citizens: Should submit a photocopy of your medical insurance card and also provide proof of legal status in the USA (Permanent Resident Card, or I-94 etc.,)
Completed Cover Page and Credit Card Authorization forms (print from browser)
If Tour Group or Cruise Passenger: Invitation or letter, plus voucher, from tour company or cruise line confirming itinerary and including a copy of the confirmation from Intourist or other authorized Russia travel company which shows the reference number and confirmation number for the visa.
If Individual Travel: Invitation, or confirmation, plus voucher, of hotel arrangements from authorized Russian travel company, or directly from the Russian hotel, showing reference number and confirmation number for the visa.
1 Completed itinerary form (This form prints in ADOBE PDF format, on TDS letterhead and addressed to the "Embassy of the Russian Federation).

Business Visa or Invited Guest Visa

ORIGINAL Passport, signed, (valid for further 3 months) required to be submitted, PLUS a photocopy

Application Form (for US citizens)

Application Form (for NON-US citizens)

Form, completed and signed

1 recent Passport-type photograph

Completed Cover Page and Credit Card Authorization forms
(print from browser)
For stay exceeding 3 months, or multi entry visa, a HIV test required

Official invitation from an organization authorized to invite business visitors to Russia.
Completed itinerary form (This form prints together with the visa application, on TDS letterhead and addressed to the "Embassy of the Russian Federation)

To arrange an invitation, usually sent to you by fax, your sponsor will require all of the following:

Your Full Name, Nationality, Passport Number,
Date of Arrival/Departure in Russia,
and the Cities you will visit.

Visa Notes:

The Invitation to Russia must be authorized by The Ministry of Interior or its local offices; or other authorized Russian Agencies.

The letter must contain: official seal and legal address of the agency, signature and name of official authorized to invite foreigners to Russia.
The Embassy reserves the right to request the original invitation.

Processing Instructions

Please forward the completed requirements detailed above to:

TRAVEL DOCUMENT SYSTEMS, INC.,
3 Embarcadero Center
Lobby Level, Suite 2
San Francisco, Ca 94111

Your application will be checked and hand carried to the Russian Federation Consulate; normal processing time is approximately one week.

Fees

TDS Service Fee:

$45.00 per Visa

$90.00 Per Visa - Same Day Service

Consular Fee: ( Single Entry Visa )

$131.00 Per Visa - 7 Business Days
$150.00 Per Visa - 3 Business Days
$200.00 Per Visa - 24 Hours issue
$300.00 Same Day Service - By Appointment Only
Consular Fee: ( Double Entry Visa )

$131.00 Per Visa - 7 Business Days
$200.00 Per Visa - 3 Business Days
$250.00 Per Visa - 24 hours issue
$350.00 Same Day Service - By Appointment Only

Note: The processing times above are estimates only and may be extended by the Embassy without notice during busy periods. Effective January 14 2008, the base fee of $100.00 will increase to $131.00. Other fees (rush fees) are not affected at this time.
Include credit card authorization, a check or money order payable to "Travel Document Systems, Inc." for TDS Handling Fee, Embassy Consular Fee, and return FedEx.

Return Postage

Continental USA Only -
$23.00 FedEx (Next Business Day - up to 3 passports)
$26.00 FedEx (Next Business Day - 4 or more passports)
$39.00 FedEx (Saturday Delivery)
Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, USVI -
$39.00 FedEx Next Day Letter (No Saturday Delivery)

Travel Document Systems is a recommended visa service of the Consulate of the Russian Federation in San Francisco
The above visa requirements apply to the Consulate of the Russian Federation in San Francisco.
The Russian Tourist visa is usually issued for a single entry, for the cities specifically mentioned on the invitation, and the specified dates up to a maximum of 30 days stay. The period of stay cannot be extended in Russia.
A double entry visa may be issued at AN ADDITIONAL $50 CONSULAR FEE upon specific request; applicant must attach a brief letter explaining why the double entry is needed.
If the visa support invitation has been sent by Interior Ministry telex directly to the Russian Consular office in San Francisco, please note that no processing begins on the application until the Consulate confirms receipt.
Visas valid for more than 90 days must be confirmed through the Ministry of Interior in Moscow. higher visa fees and longer processing time usually apply in these cases.
Passport must have at least six months remaining validity and contain at least one blank visa page for visa to be issued. TDS can assist with obtaining U.S. Passports, whether new issue, renewal, or obtaining additional visa pages for a valid passport.
Special requirements exist for U.S. Official and Diplomatic Passport Holders

The U.S. Department of State encourages all American travelers to register with their local Embassy or Consulate when arriving in a foreign country. Registration helps the Embassy to provide important services for American citizens residing or traveling abroad. Some of these services include:

Locating individuals in cases of family or personal emergencies,
Relaying important travel and safety information about the region,
Arranging evacuation transportation in cases of natural disaster or civil unrest,
Issuing replacement passports when originals are lost, and
A number of other administrative services relating to personal documentation.

Without the information provided through registration, the Embassy is severely hindered in its ability to provide these services. Many of these services involve emergency situations and time constraints, therefore failure to register will almost certainly lead to delays at moments when you can least afford them.

Register Online with U.S. Embassy in this Country

Print Visa Application Form

INFORMATION AND FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
REVISED 07/2008

Print Friendly Version REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS TO OBTAIN VISA TO ENTER THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Print Friendly Version

REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS TO OBTAIN VISA TO ENTER THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION