Visa Information Russia Visa, Entry and Stay Entry without Visa Entry with Visa on Arrival Entry with Visa - (Application in Advance) Latest Date of Entry / Validity Duration of Stay IMPORTANT - all accommodation must be booked in advance Not possible Not possible A visa is required. The visa must be obtained at the Russian Visa Handling Services (VFS.GOBAL) in Berne prior to arrival. VFS.GLOBAL issues the visa on behalf of the Russian Federation. The visa is issued according the entry and departure dates on the invitation letter. Entry and departure must be within the validity of the visa. Important: Application for the visa is possible no earlier than 3 months prior to the planned entry date. In case the visa must be obtained earlier, a written explanation must be added to the visa application. The visa is valid for exactly the same amount of time as the travel booking, up to a maximum of 30 days. All accommodation must be booked completely in advance for the entire stay in Russia. All the details regarding accommodation (hotels/train) must be listed on the visa invitation letter (see below). Upon entry into Russia all receipts for each accommodation must be presented (hotel vouchers, train tickets). Failure to do so will result in refusal of entry. Visa Application in Advance at VFS.GLOBAL Berne You can either obtain the visa yourself or through the Visa Service of Globetrotter against a fee. Would you like to have your visa organised through the specialists at Globetrotter and get your passport with the visa delivered directly to you? The Globetrotter Visa Service checks all the necessary documents, takes care of the payment of the visa or consular fees, checks the visa and returns the passport to you by mail. Documents Required Visa Application Form (Help for filling out the form - see below) Original Passport Residents Permit (for Non-Swiss Citizens) P assport Photo Travel Confirmation Departure Ticket Visa Invitation letter (original and copy) P roof of Insurance (certificate to be issued by your insurance company) The forms have to be filled out ONLINE, link: https://visa.kdmid.ru/petitionchoice.aspx The forms must be completely filled out, printed and signed by the applicant. Would you like Globetrotter to take care of the online application? See below. Original passport must be valid at least 6 months longer than your date of departure. Important: The passport must be signed, contain at least 2 empty pages and not damaged (the page with the passport information must not have any tears). Otherwise there is a risk that the visa is not getting granted or that the check-in at the airport is getting denied despite a valid visa. Copy of residents permit valid for at least 6 months longer than you date of departure. 1 recent photo, 35 x 45mm in size, taken in full-face view directly facing the camera, on light-coloured background, without dimmed glasses and bareheaded (wearing a headdress is only permitted for people who are required by their religion or tradition to do so, provided that the photo in the passport was taken with a headdress as well) Invoice / Confirmation from your travel agency with all the booked services (details of the accommodation must be shown) Officially, a departure ticket is required The visa invitation will be arranged and sent to you by your travel agent with the invoice / confirmation. Caution: If you apply for a Double Entry Visa, this has to be explicitly stated on your visa invitation. If entry to Russia is made with your own vehicle (car, motorcycle or bicycle), this must be mentioned ( Automobil Tourism ). Number plate, make, type and colour of the vehicle must be listed. Should you not have an invitation letter, Globetrotter Visa Service can arrange it for you (only possible for tourist trips, no business travel) - see below. Written Insurance Certificate including - the full name of the participant, the date of birth, the number of the insurance policy - the covered amount (minimum EUR 30 000.-) - the validity of cover for a min. of 1 week BEFORE as well as a min. of 1 week AFTER your intended stay in Russia - the information that the insurance is valid in Russia and that repatriation costs are covered
Application for double entry (needed only for Double Entry Tourist visa) Stamped Addressed Envelope* P ayment for Visa Fees* *Only necessary for self-submitted visa applications (by mail) Written application to the consular department of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, 3006 Berne with the following information: - Full name, date of birth, passport number of applicant - Information regarding entry and exit (date, point of border crossing, mode of transport) - Reasons for application (why is a Double Entry Visa needed) - Date, place, signature of applicant Self-addressed envelope with registered mail, pre-stamped. All the fees must be paid directly when submitting the application at VFS.GLOBAL. Modes of payment: cash, credit card, maestro card. Visa Fees / Consular Fees Fees Charged by the Russian Visa Handling Services ( VFS.GOBAL) Berne Visa Fees (valid for Single, Double or Multiple Entry Visa): Normal Procedure CHF 45.- Express Procedure CHF 90.- Service fees if applying via the Globetrotter Visa Service or self-submitted application (personal delivery of the documents / pick up of the passport at VFS.GLOBAL): Service fee per person/visa CHF 28.- Supplement for self-submission (personal delivery of the documents / returning the passport by VFS.GLOBAL through a courier service): Standard delivery by courier (DHL) per person/visa CHF 45.- Express delivery by courier (DHL) per person/visa CHF 65.- For Non-Swiss Citizens (including EU citizens) different fees may apply. Visa Submission / Submission Service Fees Processing Time for Obtaining Normal procedure: ca. 7 to 10 working days for Swiss Citizens (subject to change) the Visa via VFS.GLOBAL Express procedure: ca. 4 working days for Swiss Citizens (subject to change) Visa-Submission by Globetrotter Visa Service Special Offer Transsib Package - Obtaining Visa for Russia, Mongolia and China via the Globetrotter Visa Service Self-Submission Requirement: all documents must be correct and complete Please send all the documents including the signed submission order form to: Globetrotter Travel Service AG, Visa-Service, Postfach, 3001 Bern. The visa and submission service fees will be invoiced by Globetrotter. Payment to VFS.GLOBAL and provision of a stamped addressed envelope is unnecessary. Visa Submission (normal procedure) per person/visa CHF *80.- Visa Submission (express-procedure) per person/visa CHF 130.- Visa Invitation Letter per person/visa (only possible for tourist trips) CHF 40.- Filling out the Visa Application ONLINE per person/visa** CHF 20.- *For customers of Globetrotter Business Travel rates apply as per agreement **Please fill in the Questionnaire Visa Russia and send it together with all the other documents to the Globetrotter Visa-Service. Globetrotter takes care of your online application and will send the form to you for your signature. If all three visa are obtained via the Globetrotter Visa-Service, you receive a discount on the submission service fees of CHF 50.-! Book an appointment under http://www.vfsglobal.com/russia/switzerland/index.html). All the necessary documents must be delivered personally to VFS.GLOBAL Berne. The visa fees and service charges (CHF 28.-) as well as possible costs for the courier service (CHF 45.-/65.-) must be paid on spot. As soon as the visa is issued the passport can either get picked up or it will get delivered via courier service. Russian Visa Handling Services, VFS.GLOBAL, Bolligenstrasse 54, 3006 Bern E-Mail: info.russiabern@vfshelpline.com; http://www.vfsglobal.com/russia/switzerland/index.html Phone 031 528 11 06 (MO-FR: 09.00h - 17.00h) Opening hours: Delivery of the visa applications MO-FR: 08.30h - 15.00h Picking up of the passports MO-FR: 15.00h - 17.00h
Help for Answering the Questions in the ONLINE Form If entry to Russia is made with your own vehicle, this must be mentioned in the visa application form. Please mark Automobil Tourism as Purpose of visit. Name of organization = name of the company who issued the visa invitation Address = Address of the company who issued the visa invitation Reference + Confirmation Number = number of the visa invitation (2x) If the visa invitation is arranged by Globetrotter: Name of organization = Comintour / Address = Moscow Reference + Confirmation Number = please fill in 0000 (2x) Destination name (at the end of the form) = select Visa Application Center VFS (Berne) 12.04.17 - Subject to change
Questionnaire Russia Visa Part One To be completed by the applicant either online (with Adobe Acrobat Reader) or in BLOCK LETTERS, if the Visa will be obtained through Globetrotter Visa-Service. Important: Please answer the questions in order for Globetrotter Visa Service to obtain your Visa. Thank you! Nationality: Have you ever had a USSR/Russian citizenship? *If YES, when: Why did you give up the citizenship? Purpose of visit: Tourism Business Study Number of entries: Single Double Multiple Intended date of entry (to Russia): Intended date of departure (from Russia): Entry with own vehicle (car, motorbike, bicycle): *If YES, please indicate details of the vehicle License plate of the vehicle: Brand of the vehicle: Type of the vehicle: Colour of the vehicle: Su rname: F irst name: Other names: Place of birth: (if in Russia, please indicate where you have immigrated to and when) Which city/cities in Russia will you visit: (please indicate all cities) Do you have medical insurance valid for Russia: (please indicate insurance company and policy nr) Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern Page 1 of 5
Su rname: F irst name: Have you visited Russia before: *If YES, how often: When was your last trip (entry/departure dates): Your permanent address (street, zip code, town): Phone number: Name of employer / university: Work position: Address of employer / university: Phone number of employer / university: Do you have relatives in Russia: *If YES, please indicate the following details Surname/first name / date of birth: Relation degree (father/daughter/etc.): Address: Date: Signature of Applicant*: * i f the form is filled in with the Adobe Acrobat Reader, the sign pdfs function can be used instead of printing and signing the form. Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern Page 2 of 5
Questionnaire Russia Visa Part two To be completed by US, Canadian or UK passport holders only! Please answer the following questions so we can fill out the online application form for you. Thank you! Su rname: F irst name: Marital Status: Spouse s full name: Spouse s date of birth: Spouse s place of birth: married single divorced separated widowed Who will pay for your trip to and stay in Russia? Name, address and phone of a person or hotel in Russia that you plan to stay with: Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offence? *If YES, when/where: Have you ever been afflicted with a communicable disease of public health significance or a dangerous physical or mental disorder? YES Have you ever been a drug abuser or an addict? YES Have you ever been refused a russian visa? *If YES, when/where: Has your russian visa ever been cancelled? YES Have you ever tried to obtain a Russian visa or enter Russia by providing misleading or false information? YES Have you ever overstayed your russian visa or stayed unlawfully in Russia? YES Have you ever been deported from Russia? *If YES, when/where: Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern Page 3 of 5
Su rname: F irst name: Has this application been completed personally by you? YES NO* *If N O, name, relationship and address of applicant Do you have any specialized skills, training or experience related to fire-arms and explosives or to nuclear matter, biological or chemical substance? *If YES, please specify: Have you ever performed a military service? *If YES, country, branch of service, rank occupation, date of service List all professional, civil and charity organizations which you are/were member of or cooperate with: Have you ever been involved in armed conflicts, either as a member of the military service or a victim? *If YES, conflict name, country name, conflict date List all educational institutions you ever attended, except high schools Course of study: Address and phone Date of admission Date of graduation Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern Page 4 of 5
Su rname: F irst name: List your last two places of work excluding the current one 1 st place of work Name: Address: Phone: Your position: Your chiefs surname: Date of joining: Date of dismissal: 2 nd place of work Name: Address: Phone: Your position: Your chiefs surname: Date of joining: Date of dismissal: Have you ever been issued a russian visa? *If YES, when/where? Has your passport ever been lost or stolen? YES List all countries you have visited in the last ten years and indicate the date of visit: List all countries which have ever issued you a passport Your fathers full name: Your mothers full name: Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern Page 5 of 5
Visa Submission Order Form Sender: Phone number / E-Mail for further enquiries: Phone number E-Mail Registered Mail Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern Applicant/s Name / First Name 1 Name / First Name 2 Name / First Name 3 Name / First Name 4 Submit the Visa/s for Destination/Country Date of departure from Switzerland Date of entry at the destination Date of departure from the destination Number of entries Single Double Multiple Type of visa Tourist Business Transit Submission Normal Express Send the Passport/s Latest Date To the above address. To the following address Remarks Globetrotter Order Number (Refer to Invoice/Confirmation) Date Signature * I f the form is filled in with the Adobe Acrobat Reader, the sign pdfs function can be used instead of printing and signing the form. Globetrotter Travel Service AG Visa-Service Neuengasse 30 Postfach 3001 Bern