Private visa request for Russia

Hi there,

I’d like to know if anyone has already applied for a private visa to Russia with an invitation from a Russian resident. I traveled earlier this year with an e-visa, but since I want to stay longer, I’ll be visiting my friend who lives in eastern Russia. For the visa application, does the invitation need to be on an official paper form issued by the Russian ministry? And most importantly, do I need to present the original for the application, or is there an electronic version that can be sent directly to the consulate in France? Thanks for any info if you’ve gone through this process before!

Best regards,

Gilles

Hello, Yes, it's the original document that's required. Currently, allow between 4 and 7 weeks to receive it via Russian post. It doesn't seem like an electronic version exists, and it's certainly not sent to the Russian consulate in France. You can apply for your visa through the embassy using an electronic form that you'll need to print. Don't forget that you must have valid repatriation insurance for Russia (ask for the word "Russia" to be specified on your insurance, and you need the original—insurance companies usually know how to do this). You'll also need valid photos; the requirements are on the Russian embassy's website. You can submit your application with a copy of the invitation to the embassy, explaining that you'll receive the original later. It will be required when you go to pick up your visa. (I've done this myself) With a private visa, you have three working days to register with the UFMS (Foreigners' Service), unlike a tourist visa, which gives you seven days. It's mandatory! You'll need to go, with the person who issued the document, to the UFMS to register (it's free). Don't do it via post (it's paid), and documents can sometimes get lost. Best regards, Patrick (By the way, Russia is to the east—could you specify a region to estimate the postal delivery time?)

Hello, If you're traveling to Russia by land, since the 19th sanctions train, Russia is considered a money-laundering country. You can only bring in 400 or 500 €—otherwise, it may be seized. I’d advise taking dollars (Uncle Sam wouldn’t be happy if we took his dollars). You can bring up to $10,000 or the equivalent into Russia; if it’s more, you’ll need to declare it. No issues with euros via Serbia, Turkey, "Dubai," and others. Best regards, Patrick

Hello

Thanks so much for the info. As for the timing, we’re supposed to meet up in Moscow at the end of April, so she’ll hand it to me in person—if she’s gotten it—at the same time I give her the invitation for her Schengen visa this summer. I also read that she needs to apply through her portal Gosuslugi and that the consulate can check the number directly... but she’ll look into it, and we’ll see.

Thanks again to all of you

Hi everyone, Here’s the link to IMA (the reinsurer for our individual insurance policies). Useful for any visa application.

https://www.ima.eu/fr/particuliers/formulaire-demande-attestation-assistance.

Hi there, With a private visa, you only have 3 working days to register, unlike a tourist visa which allows 7 working days. Just head to a UFMS center to get registered—it’s usually free. And while you’re there, take the opportunity to register so you can open a bank account in Russia. There are a few formalities, but... Best, Patrick

At the same time, I read that she had to apply through her portal Gosuslugi and that the number would be directly accessible to the consulate...

The application can be made on Gosuslugi via this form, which appears when you're on Gosuslugi, or simply from the main page:

https://www.gosuslugi.ru/600127/1/form



I’m using my Gosuslugi account for this demo—just starting a sample invitation request. I don’t complete it, but it still shows up as the most recent action on my Gosuslugi dashboard:



This part: "Приглашение иностранца в Россию."

Hi, isn't an eSIM simpler?

Good evening, wouldn't an eSIM be simpler?

Wrong thread :) The question was about how a resident in Russia can provide an invitation to a foreigner for a private visa request: the classic process or online via the administrative portal (similar to France Connect sites). I was illustrating the online procedure on the administrative portal (Gosuslugi).

For eSIMs, according to Irena Domingo, the only provider currently operating in Russia is Ubigi: https://russiable.fr/carte-sim-russe-en-france/