Russia Journalist Visa
INCLUDE ALL ITEMS BELOW FOR YOUR Russia VISA:
Passport:
You must submit your actual signed passport, including one copy of the personal information page of your passport. Your passport must:
- Have at least six months of validity left beyond your intended stay in the visiting countries.
- Have at least two blank visa pages’ side by side (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
- Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way.
Photographs:
Submit two professional color passport photo. Snapshot, photocopy or computer picture will not be accepted. Photo requirements:
- Photo size should measure 2″ x 2″. Leave the photo loose.
- Photo should be taken within six months to reflect your current appearance.
- Photo must include clear frontal view of full face, both ears, neck and upper shoulders.
- Photo should be printed in color on either matte or glossy photo paper and has not been altered in any way.
- Photo must be clear. Blurry, underexposed, overexposed and low quality photos are not accepted.
- Background of photo must be white, with no shadows over the face or the background.
- Facial expression must be neutral with eyes open and all the facial features should be clearly visible.
- Do not smile in photo.
- Do not wear eyeglasses in photo.
- Hats or head covering are only allowed if worn for religious reasons and if they do not obscure any facial features. See below photo measurements:
Invitation Letter:
You must obtain an official Russian Invitation to travel to Russia. Include the original invitation with the documents that you submit to us. Your invitation must:
- Be the original letter, if you are applying for a multiple entry visa
- If you are providing your own Telex then you must apply for your Russia visa in the city where the Telex is approved. That city may be different than the city where you have been directed to processes your visa. If you are unsure then confirm this information with the organization that provided the Telex.
Visa Application Form:
The Russian Consulate requires a visa application be completed online by all travelers, and can be found at https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx. This application, hosted by the Russian government, may take up to an hour to complete and requires very detailed information. For Houston visa issuing office, select “Visa Application Center ILS (Houston)” in the drop-down box. Your visa request cannot be processed if you do not complete the application form online. Your completed application must:
- Provide answers for all fields (handwritten changes are not accepted)
- Include your name as it appears in your passport
- Include the institution or organization in Russia to be visited
- Ensure that you have answered Section 27 (Previous Work Experience) or provide a letter explaining why the field is left blank
- Be signed inside the box found directly below the section where we will attach your photograph. Your signature must match the signature in your
- Signed passport
- Be accompanied by a copy of your Application ID and password
- Be printed double-sided
- A correctly printed application must be printed so that the distance between the borders and the edge of the paper should be no larger than 7mm. The border of the application must also go all the way around the paper. To ensure that the form is printed as above, please make sure your printer settings are set as follows:
- Page Scaling should be set to: None
- Auto-Rotate and Center box: Not checked (left blank)
Please see guide provided to assist you in completing the application.
FORMER SOVIET AND UKRAINIAN CITIZENS:
If you were born in a state of the former Soviet Republic or Ukraine, you must supply a copy of your Soviet or Ukrainian passport along with a letter
Stating when you immigrated to the US.
FORMER & DUAL RUSSIAN CITIZENS:
If you were born and left Russia before 1991 you must submit the proof that you have left before 1991 by providing your former USSR passport with exit visas and your US Naturalization Certificate. If you left Russia after 1991, you are still considered a Russian citizen hence, you must travel with both your US and Russian passports. If you prefer to renounce your Russian citizenship you must appear at the Consulate in person.
PAPER INVITATION FOR TRAVELERS AGE 65 AND OLDER:
Travelers age 65 and older are not permitted to secure a Russian Business Invitation Telex. You need to secure a Russian Business Invitation printed on paper or a Tourist invitation.
Non-Us Passport Holder:
Please provide copy of your U.S Immigration Status.
Consular Fees:
In addition to Orbit visa’s service fees, consular fees are the cost of your visa application.
Orbit Visas Order Form:
Click here to provide Orbit Visas order form.
Orbit Visas Service Fees:
The following prices are for Orbit Visa’s service fee per item.
Processing Time:
Please send the required documents via a traceable service such as FedEx or UPS to:
Orbit Visas
Attn: Visa and passport processing
5959 Westheimer Road, Suite 216
Houston, Texas 77057
Phone: (713) 750-9716