29.12.2025
A step-by-step guide on how to arrange an invitation for a foreign national to Russia through the Gosuslugi portal or the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Types of invitations, required documents, processing times, and fees.
An invitation for a foreign national to Russia is not a universal requirement for all visitors. It is necessary for citizens of countries that do not have a visa-free regime or simplified tourist entry scheme with Russia.
Even for citizens of “visa-required” countries, an invitation is not always needed — the requirement depends entirely on the purpose of travel and the type of visa. Below is a detailed and practical explanation of when an invitation is actually required and how to obtain it correctly.
Key Facts
An invitation is required only for visa-required countries and not for all types of travel.
Invitations can be arranged by Russian citizens, legal entities, and individual entrepreneurs.
Processing time is up to 20 business days.
The state fee is 960 RUB per invited person.
Applications can be submitted online via the Gosuslugi portal or in person at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
An invitation for the entry of a foreign citizen into the Russian Federation is an official document confirming the purpose of travel and the presence of a host party in Russia. It serves as the legal basis for applying for a Russian visa at a consulate or embassy.
It is important to understand the key point: an invitation is required only for those foreigners who cannot enter Russia without a visa and do not fall under simplified entry formats. If a visa-free regime is in effect between Russia and the person’s country of citizenship, no invitation is required. Such countries include, for example, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Serbia, and Montenegro.
For some foreign nationals, a Russian electronic visa (e-visa) is available. It is obtained online, issued for up to 30 days, and does not require an invitation or a tourist voucher. However, the e-visa has limitations: it is valid only for short trips, cannot be extended, and entry is permitted only through specific border checkpoints.
If a simplified tourist scheme is provided for a country, a tourist visa may be issued based on a voucher from an accredited tour operator or a hotel booking confirmation, without an invitation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This applies, among others, to citizens of Turkey, India, Iran, China, and Vietnam.
At the same time, for private, business, work, and study trips, an invitation remains mandatory, even for citizens of countries eligible for tourist or electronic visas. For example, citizens of the EU, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and South Korea will need an invitation for a private (guest), business, work, or student visa. In such cases, the invitation allows a visa to be issued for a longer period (up to one year) and enables entry through a wider range of border checkpoints than an electronic visa.
Invitations may be issued in electronic or paper form. Regardless of the format, a visa of the relevant type will not be issued without a valid invitation.
An invitation for a foreign national can be arranged by:
Russian citizens with permanent or temporary registration.
Foreign nationals holding a residence permit in Russia.
Foreign citizens who have the status of a Highly Qualified Specialist in Russia and a valid work permit — exclusively for inviting members of their own family.
The individual issuing the invitation becomes the host party and assumes responsibility for the foreigner’s accommodation, medical care, and financial support for the duration of the stay in Russia.
An invitation for a foreign national may be issued by:
Russian companies and individual entrepreneurs registered with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Branches of foreign companies accredited in Russia.
Educational and research institutions.
Sports federations and clubs.
Such invitations are used for business, work, study, and sports visas.
Used for visiting relatives, spouses, friends, and other private purposes.
Visa: single-entry or double-entry up to 3 months, or multiple-entry up to 1 year.
Arranged by: an individual.
Used as an invitation for a relative, spouse, or friend to Russia.
Issued for participation in negotiations, conferences, exhibitions, and other business activities.
Visa validity: up to 1 year.
Stay limit: no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.
Issued by: a legal entity or organization.
A tourist invitation is not always required. For citizens of countries with a simplified tourist scheme, a tourist visa can be obtained with a voucher from an accredited tour operator or a hotel booking confirmation. When applying for a Russian e-visa, neither a tourist voucher nor an invitation is required.
Trip duration: up to 30 days.
Issued by: a tour operator.
Used for obtaining a tourist visa.
Required for the official employment of a foreign national in Russia.
Issued by: the employer.
Legal basis: a work permit or patent.
Used for obtaining a work visa.
Document Checklist
Application for issuance of an invitation. The primary application document on the basis of which the Ministry of Internal Affairs reviews the request. It includes details of the inviting party, information about the foreigner, the purpose of the visit, the duration of stay, and place of residence. The application may be submitted online via the Gosuslugi portal or in person at the office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. When submitted online, the form is automatically generated according to an approved template.
Passport of the Russian citizen (inviting party). Confirms the identity of the host party and their right to arrange an invitation. For online submissions, a scan, or photo of the passport’s ID page is attached; for in-person submissions, the original passport must be presented.
Copy of the foreigner’s passport. Used to identify the invited person. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended visa expiration date. The document must be translated into Russian and notarized.
Guarantee letter. A document in which the host party confirms their obligations to provide financial support, medical care, and accommodation for the foreign national during their stay in Russia.
When applying via the Gosuslugi portal, the guarantee text is already included in the electronic application.
For in-person submission, a sample can be obtained at the local migration office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The letter may be written in free form but must include the passport details of the inviting person, the foreigner’s information, the duration of stay, and the signature of the host party.
Proof of financial solvency. Confirms that the host party has sufficient funds to cover the foreigner’s expenses during their stay in Russia. There is no legally established minimum income or bank account balance; the decision is made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on a case-by-case basis based on the provided documents. Acceptable documents include income certificates, bank account statements, or other financial documents.
Proof of family relationship. Required when issuing an invitation for a relative. This may include a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or another official document.
Receipt of state fee payment. Confirms payment of the state fee for processing the invitation. The fee is 960 RUB per foreign national. Payment can be made:
online via the Gosuslugi portal when submitting the electronic application (the receipt is generated automatically and attached to the application, so no additional document upload is needed);
through banking apps using the payment details provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
at bank branches or via payment terminals
Documents in a foreign language must be translated into Russian and notarized.
Procedure to arrange an invitation for a foreigner online:
Register on the Gosuslugi portal: gosuslugi.ru.
Find the service “Issuance of an Invitation for a foreign national”.
Complete the electronic application form:
Foreigner’s personal data (full name, date of birth, passport details).
Purpose of visit (private, business, tourist).
Duration of stay.
Upload scans of the required documents (passport, guarantee letter).
Pay the 960 RUB state fee.
Submit the application.
Wait for the decision (up to 20 business days).
Receive the electronic invitation in your personal account.
Schedule an appointment through the Gosuslugi portal.
Visit the migration office at your place of registration. Addresses and contacts are available on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs: https://мвд.рф/contacts/sites.
Submit the documents and the application (in two copies).
Pay the state fee.
Receive the invitation after 20 business days.
Processing time: up to 20 business days.
State fee: 960 RUB per foreign national.
Invitation validity: depends on the visa type.
Electronic invitations are issued immediately after approval.
Invitations cannot be extended. If the invitation’s validity period has expired or travel plans have changed, a new invitation must be arranged.
An application may be refused. The most common reasons for refusal include errors or incomplete data in the application, insufficient proof of financial guarantees, a mismatch between the stated purpose of the trip and the supporting documentation, as well as any entry restrictions imposed on the foreign national.
If a foreigner plans a long-term stay in Russia, after entry, they may need to obtain a residence permit. A detailed explanation of the procedure is available in a separate article.
Official Sources
Gosuslugi Portal: gosuslugi.ru
Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia: mvd.ru
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia (visa information): kdmid.ru
Consultant Plus (legal acts): consultant.ru
