In the previous article we looked at the visa for a close relative of a Russian citizen. Now it is the turn of the business visa. “I am travelling on business, so I need a business visa.” Almost every foreigner thinks so. But a business visa is not for just any kind of business, and there are three different ways to get one.
What it is for
Business contacts: negotiations, exhibitions, conferences. Work under an employment contract is not covered: that needs a work visa (we will write about it in a separate article).
A business visa has many purposes in the visa: business, driver, crew member, treatment and accompanying person, adoption, correspondent and others. In this article we deal with the most common one, “business”.
1. What serves as the ground
- An invitation issued by a Russian organisation through the MVD (the Ministry of Internal Affairs). The most common and the simplest way
- A decision of the Russian MFA on issuing the visa, which is sent to the consulate (when a Russian organisation applies to the MFA)
- A decision of the ambassador or the consul general on the written statement of the foreigner. Only for taking part in international and domestic official, economic, socio-political and scientific events, and also in connection with treatment, a serious illness or the death of a close relative. Only for a single or double entry visa. And do not count on it: this is rather an exception than a rule
2. Validity of the visa
General rule: single and double entry visas are issued for up to 3 months, multiple entry visas for up to 1 year (para. 29 of Government Decree No. 335).
On the basis of reciprocity the validity may be up to 5 years (Art. 25.6 of Federal Law No. 114), and under bilateral arrangements, for example for citizens of the USA, a multiple entry visa is issued for up to 36 months.
3. IMPORTANT
On an ordinary multiple entry business visa you may stay in Russia for no more than 90 days in every 180. The visa says so: “valid 90 days out of every 180”. Many people read “visa for a year” and think they can live in Russia for the whole year. No 🙂
4. Processing time
As a rule, up to 20 working days from the moment ALL documents have been submitted. Urgent processing within 3 working days is possible on payment of the urgent fee.
5. An important nuance
The visa form states the receiving organisation. Without this information the border guard may refuse to let you in. So check the name and address in the invitation BEFORE you apply, not at the airport.
And one more thing. If a person applies not in the country of his or her nationality, with an invitation he or she needs a document confirming lawful residence there for more than 180 days.
Our advice
First determine who invites you and on what ground. An invitation from an organisation is a good way. A statement to the ambassador is a last resort that does not always work.
If you have questions about the business visa, write to us, and we will advise.