Visa to Russia: Transit Visa

Apply for Visa

1. Visa Type and Validity
2. Processing Time
3. Visa Requirements
4. Application Form

Use the chart below to determine if you require a visa based on the purpose of your visit. If you require a visa you will then select from the menu below, choosing the appropriate type and validity of visa that suites your needs.

If you are not a US Citizen please see our NON US Citizen page for more visa information.

How our service works:

Choose the type of visa you need from the list below. Click "continue" at the bottom of the page. Select your processing time, view the visa requirements and print the visa application. You will then create your account, purchase your visa and checkout. After your order is placed you will receive a confirmation along with the address to send your application to.

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Questions?

For questions about how to place an order visit our How to Order a Visa page.

For general questions visit our Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

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Purpose of visit	Visa required?
Business	Not Applicable
Tourist	Yes if layover is more than 24 hours or changing airports.
Notes	The Russian Embassy will be closed February 23rd- Day of Russian Army. Please plan your visa processing accordingly. See the 2010 Embassy closing schedule. Russian Federation No Visa Required if: Transit visas are not required for lay-overs, which last less than 24 hours. You must stay in the international terminal of the airport. You cannot leave this area for any reason. You must be on a direct flight through the territory of Russia or travel by international airline and change flights in the same airport within 24 hours to transit without a visa. Visa Required: Travelers who are laying over for more than 24 hours in Moscow or another international airport in Russia and who continuing onward to a final destination will be asked to present a Russian transit visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. Russian authorities may refuse to allow a traveler to continue on to the final destination if the person is not in possession of a valid Russian transit visa. Travelers who are not allowed to proceed are immediately returned to the point of embarkation at the traveler's sole expense. Russia transit visas are valid for not more than 72 hours and can be single-entry or double-entry depending on the need. For example a single entry Russian transit visa allows for a traveler to enter Russian once within a 72 hour period. The traveler may exit the airport, stay in a hotel overnight, or explore a city before traveling on to a final destination. A double entry Russian transit visa would allow for the same except you may enter Russia twice within the 72 hour validity. The 72 hour / 3 day period is date specific and indicated on your Russian Transit visa. For example a Russian transit visa with a validity of June 1 to June 3 would allow a traveler to transit once or twice (depending on the number of entries issued) between June 1 and June 3. The visa is not valid outside of the specified date range.

Business

Not Applicable

Tourist

Yes if layover is more than 24 hours or changing airports.

Notes

The Russian Embassy will be closed February 23rd- Day of Russian Army. Please plan your visa processing accordingly. See the 2010 Embassy closing schedule.

Russian Federation

No Visa Required if:

Transit visas are not required for lay-overs, which last less than 24 hours. You must stay in the international terminal of the airport. You cannot leave this area for any reason. You must be on a direct flight through the territory of Russia or travel by international airline and change flights in the same airport within 24 hours to transit without a visa.

Visa Required:

Travelers who are laying over for more than 24 hours in Moscow or another international airport in Russia and who continuing onward to a final destination will be asked to present a Russian transit visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. Russian authorities may refuse to allow a traveler to continue on to the final destination if the person is not in possession of a valid Russian transit visa. Travelers who are not allowed to proceed are immediately returned to the point of embarkation at the traveler's sole expense.

Russia transit visas are valid for not more than 72 hours and can be single-entry or double-entry depending on the need. For example a single entry Russian transit visa allows for a traveler to enter Russian once within a 72 hour period. The traveler may exit the airport, stay in a hotel overnight, or explore a city before traveling on to a final destination. A double entry Russian transit visa would allow for the same except you may enter Russia twice within the 72 hour validity.

The 72 hour / 3 day period is date specific and indicated on your Russian Transit visa. For example a Russian transit visa with a validity of June 1 to June 3 would allow a traveler to transit once or twice (depending on the number of entries issued) between June 1 and June 3. The visa is not valid outside of the specified date range.