Citizenship: USA
- For U.S. citizens only. If you are not a U.S. citizen, call (914) 592-2760.
- Your U.S. passport must be signed, valid for 6+ months, and have 2–3 blank visa pages (not "Amendment" pages).
- The fee for reformatting uploaded documents is $35.00..
Entry Requirements
- Passport and visa are required.
- Valid signed passport: submit current passport and a color copy of the data page. Must have 2 adjacent blank “Visas” pages; “Amendment” pages are not valid for visas.
- Passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond your final international travel date.
Consular District (NY Consulate): CT, IL, IN, ME, MA, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI.
Photo Requirements
- Your head must face the camera directly with full face in view.
- Neutral facial expression or natural smile, with both eyes open.
- Taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis.
- Taken in the last 6 months.
- Plain white or off-white background.
- 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
- Head between 1–1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head.
- Printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper, in color.
- No glasses.
- No hat or head covering (exceptions for documented religious or medical reasons).
- Full face visible; no shadows on face.
- No headphones or wireless hands-free devices.
If Traveling for Business
Online Visa Application (print & sign). Choose the visa center you will use (if JIDS/NY, select Russian Visa Center New York).
If Traveling for Tourism
- Individual travel: hotel confirmation & tour voucher (“Confirmation of hosting a foreign tourist”) from a hotel/tour agency registered with the Federal Agency of Tourist Operators. Booking receipts alone are not sufficient.
- Tour group / cruise: letter & voucher from tour company or cruise line including reference/confirmation numbers.
- 3-year multiple-entry tourist: indicate full 3-year span on application (e.g., 25/10/2016–24/10/2019 minus one day).
Health Requirements
- See our News Page for coronavirus updates.
- CDC travel health info: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
- Strongly recommended: travel/health insurance covering care in Russia.
Register Your Trip (STEP)
Give yourself peace of mind.
JIDS can enroll your trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate for $25.00 via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
Accompanying Minors
- Consent letter signed by both parents/guardians.
- ID copies for both parents.
- Copy of the child’s birth certificate.
Non-U.S. Citizens
- U.S. Permanent Residents: include Green Card copy.
- U.S. Visa holders: include U.S. visa copy.
- European nationals: proof of medical insurance valid in Russia (letter stating coverage in Russia, affiliate provider in Russia, and copy of insurance card).
- If unemployed/retired: most recent bank statement, proof of health insurance in Russia, round-trip flight itinerary.
- Fees vary by nationality.
Additional Information
U.S. State Department Advisory (9/25/23)
Do not travel to Russia. Due to the invasion of Ukraine, harassment/detention risks for U.S. citizens, arbitrary law enforcement, limited flights, limited U.S. consular assistance, and the possibility of terrorism. U.S. citizens in Russia should depart immediately.
Flight options are extremely limited; the U.S. Embassy has severely limited ability to help citizens depart. Info for departing Russia: travel.state.gov.
- Embassy Moscow: +7 (495) 728-5577 (after hours: +7 (495) 728-5000) • [email protected] • ru.usembassy.gov
- Consular Affairs (U.S.): +1 202-501-4444 (overseas) or +1 888-407-4747 (U.S.)
Required (one of the following invitation types):
- Original Official Invitation issued by the Federal Migration Service; or
- MFA decision to issue a visa (Telex); or
- Written statement from sponsoring organization (in Russian) for 3-year multi-entry.
- Original invitation may add ~$25 online fee; processing ~12–15 business days minimum; no rush on this type.
- We can help obtain business invitations: Invitation Form.
- 3-year business visas (US citizens): max stay 6 months per entry.
- 1-year multi-entry business visas: max stay 90 days in any 180-day period.
U.S. Company Cover Letter
- On company letterhead, signed (not by applicant), include passport info, purpose, host details, dates, and who pays expenses. Self-employed: include recent bank statement.
Questions or Help
JIDS service fees: see our pricing page or call (914) 592-2760.
Return Shipping & JIDS Fees
Return Shipping
- FedEx charge according to ZIP code.
- Saturday/8AM delivery available.
- Include a printed airbill to avoid extra charges. (No UPS accounts can be processed through us.)
Service Fees
- See JIDS pricing or call (914) 592-2760.
- If JIDS pays government fees on your behalf, a 5.9% processing fee applies.
