PRIVATE VISAS FOR RELATIVES OF RUSSIAN CITIZENS
Private visas are issued to foreign citizens and stateless persons entering the Russian Federation as private guests on the basis of an invitation completed in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, following an application by a citizen of the Russian Federation.
There are three kinds of invitations accepted for private visas:
- an invitation in a paper form (original only) or an electronic form issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia). Ask for this kind of invitation from your Russian inviting person;
- an inviting letter of a citizen of the Russian Federation made out to the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the joint entry to the Russian Federation with members of his family (spouse, parents (adoptive parents), children (adopted children), children's spouses, full- and half-siblings, grandparents and grandchildren). Taking into account that this application must be submitted by a citizen of the Russian Federation.
- an inviting letter of a citizen of the Russian Federation made out to the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia legalized at a notary office in Russia (original only) from a citizen of the Russian Federation (can be sent by air mail post)
The standard maximum validity period of a single-entry or a double-entry private visa is 90 days. A multiple-entry visa is valid for one year.
Processing time
The processing time for the issuance of a private visa in the Consular section depends on the invitation:
- for invitations of the Russian MVD: 3 working days – 20 calendar days;
- for inviting letters of citizens of the Russian Federation made out to the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Saudi Arabia regarding the joint entry to the Russian Federation with family members: 10 calendar days;
List of required documents
1. Visa invitation of one of three kinds:
- an invitation of the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation (MVD of Russia) – in a paper form or an electronic form. Ask for this kind of invitation from your Russian inviting person;
- an inviting letter of a citizen of the Russian Federation made out to the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the Saudi Arabia regarding the joint entry to the Russian Federation with members of his family (spouse and minor children). The procedure in the Russian language is to be followed;
- a letter of invitation legalized at a notary office in Russia (original or copy) from a citizen of Russia
2. Travel passport (original). The passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages and must be valid 6 months after the last day of the required visa validity;
3. Visa application form printed and signed personally by the applicant;
4. 1 recent passport photo. The photo must be glued (not stapled!) on the visa application form;
Only for UE citizens and Iran, Iseland State, Israel, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway and Swiss. : Medical insurance policy document (copy or original) issued by a foreign insurance company or a Russian insurance company. This document must contain:
- the date when the agreement was signed;
- the policy number;
- the full name of the insured person;
- full details of the insurer;
- the dates of validity: the policy must cover the entire period of stay in Russia for single-entry and double-entry visas, and the duration of the first trip for multiple-entry visas;
- the list of medical services covered by the insurance, the repatriation must be included;
- the geographical area coverage: worldwide or including the Russian Federation or Europe including the Russian Federation;
- the insurance coverage amount must not be less than 30.000 Euros;
- the signature of the insurer.
Insurance policies and confirmation letters which do not contain the above information and standard forms stamped by the insurer are not accepted.
The Russian Consulate may request additional documents before issuing a visa, invite any applicant to a personal interview or extend the time required for the visa consideration.
To be noted that the law of the Russian Federation empowers the Russian Consulate to refuse to issue any visa without explaining the reasons of the refusal.
