Russia Family Reunification Visa Application Process
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    Russia Family Reunification Visa Application Process

    Immigration Expert
    Mar 5, 202514 min read

    Russia Family Reunification Visa Application Process

    The Russian family reunification visa is a special type of visa that allows Turkish citizens who have a first-degree relative with a residence permit in Russia or a relative with a Russian citizen to stay in Russia for a maximum of 90 days. The persons accepted as family members for the Russian family reunification visa include the mother or father, spouse, children under the age of 18, and children of the spouse under the age of 18.

    Russian family reunification visa applicants must obtain a document proving their first-degree family member status and an invitation letter from a family member in Russia, and must be submitted to the Russian Immigration Department along with other required documents.

    Applicants who meet the requirements for a Russian family reunification visa and want to live in Russia initially receive a temporary residence permit, and after 1 year, they can apply for a permanent residence permit and then citizenship.

    What are the Application Requirements for a Russian Family Reunification Visa?

    The requirements that Russian family reunification visa applicants must meet are listed below.

    • Having a first-degree family member who has a residence permit in Russia or is a Russian citizen and being able to prove blood ties
    • Have an invitation letter from a family member living in Russia
    • The HIV (AIDS) test result is negative.
    • Obtaining a criminal record showing that no crime has been committed
    • Payment of visa application fees

    What are the documents required for a Russian Family Reunification Visa?

    The documents required for a Russian family reunification visa application are listed below.

    • Family reunification visa application form filled online on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
    • Valid passport
    • 1 passport size photo
    • A copy of the full civil registration certificate proving the relationship with a family member who has a residence permit in Russia or is a Russian citizen.
    • Invitation letter sent by a Russian residence permit holder or Russian citizen
    • Passport and copy of the applicant's spouse, mother or father who is a Russian citizen
    • Payment receipts
    • Medical certificate proving negative HIV (AIDS) test result
    • If applying as a spouse of a Russian citizen; marriage certificate, family certificate and notarized translation
    • If applying as a child of a Russian citizen under the age of 18; the applicant's birth certificate and notarized translation
    • If applying as a disabled adult child of a Russian citizen; the applicant's birth certificate, document confirming disability and notarized translation
    • Criminal record certificate

    To apply for a Russian family reunification visa to accompany or join a family member in Russia, you must apply to the Russian Embassy or Russian Consulate in Turkey.

    How to Get a Criminal Record and Full Civil Registry Copy for a Russian Family Reunification Visa?

    The criminal record, which is among the documents required to obtain a Russian family reunification visa, can be obtained through the e-government system of the Republic of Turkey.

    The criminal record obtained from the e-government must be translated into Russian and notarized and apostilled at the prosecutor's office.

    The full-certified population registration sample must include information such as the name, surname, father's name, mother's name, place and date of birth, marital status and religion, registration description of all family members and can be obtained from e-government and Turkish Population Directorates. The full-certified population registration sample must be translated into Russian and apostilled with notary approval.

    How to Apply for a Russia Family Reunification Visa?

    The Russian family reunification visa application form must be filled out correctly and completely online from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and then printed out. The application number given to the applicant during the online application must be noted. After the application form is printed out, applicants who have completed all the required documents must make an appointment at the Russian foreign missions.

    The criminal record record, translated into Russian and notarized from the e-government, and the full civil registry record copy, which can be obtained from the civil registry offices as well as the e-government, must be certified with an apostille process.

    In order to obtain a Russian family reunification visa, the family member in Russia must send an invitation to the visa applicant through the Russian Foreign Ministry, approved by the Russian Federation Ministry. In order for the invitation to be sent, applicants who are first-degree relatives are required to provide a document proving blood ties. The original invitation is submitted immediately, and the electronic invitation is submitted after the approval of the Russian Consulate.

    What are the points to consider when applying for a Russia family reunification visa?

    When applying for a Russian family reunification visa, the application form must first be filled out completely with the correct information. The documents prepared for the visa application must not be missing. An invitation letter from a family member residing in Russia is among the most important documents required. If the family member in Russia will provide financial support for the candidate, this should be stated in these documents. Incomplete documents or incorrect information may result in the rejection of the Russian family reunification visa application.

    How Long Does It Take to Complete a Russia Family Reunification Visa Application?

    The Russian family reunification visa result is usually announced between 4 and 10 days. Some delays may occur due to the Russian family reunification visa's longer stay than some visas.

    The Russian Consulate may request additional documents and the applicant may be called for an interview before the visa approval decision. In addition to the request for additional documents and interviews by foreign missions, visa delivery time may be extended due to density, diplomatic relations and official holidays.

    Russian Consulates General and Consulates are the authorities authorized to communicate visa application results to applicants.

    What are the rights you can have with a Russian Family Reunification Visa?

    If a Russian family reunification visa is obtained, visa holders can have the following rights: living in Russia by obtaining a temporary residence permit, obtaining a permanent residence permit and then citizenship, working in Russia by obtaining a residence permit, traveling to any desired city if a residence permit is obtained, and voting in local elections.

    What are the differences between a Russian Family Reunification Visa and a Russian Family Visit Visa?

    There are some differences between the Russian family reunification visa and the Russian family visit visa. The Russian family reunification visa allows applicants to stay in Russia for a maximum of 90 days through a foreign national with a residence permit in Russia or a first-degree relative who is a Russian citizen. With the Russian family reunification visa, those who wish can then obtain a residence permit and citizenship.

    A Russian family visit visa is a type of visa that is obtained for the purpose of visiting a family member residing in Russia and is limited to 30 days. The Russian family visa cannot be used to obtain a residence permit and citizenship afterwards.

    What are the Other Russian Visa Types Similar to the Russian Family Reunification Visa?

    Other Russian visa types similar to the Russian family reunification visa are listed below.

    • Russian Tourist Visa
    • Russia Humanitarian Visa
    • Russian Business Visa
    • Russia Family Visit Visa

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