Russia Transit Visa Application Procedures and Current Conditions

Russia Transit Visa Application Procedures and Current Conditions

A Russian transit visa is a type of visa that must be obtained by people who want to enter Russia or transit to another country through Russian territory. A Russian transit visa is required to transit through Russian territory by land or using Russian airports.

Does Russia Require a Transit Visa?

Visa requirements for Russian transit vary depending on the duration of the passage for those who wish to pass through Russia by land or air.

People who will be connecting at airports in Russia do not need to obtain a transit visa, provided that the connecting time does not exceed 24 hours and that people do not leave the transit waiting areas.

People who want to transit through the Russian Federation without a visa must know whether there is a transit waiting area at the airport where they will transit. People who will transit through airports where there is no transit waiting area must obtain a Russian transit visa. For example, a person who will transit without a visa on a connecting flight to Moscow can transit through Domodedovo International Airport, the country's largest international airport, and the transit waiting area there for no more than 24 hours without a visa. Other examples of airports with transit zones in the Russian Federation are Sheremetyevo International Airport, Pulkovo International Airport, and Vnukovo International Airport.

If a person will be passing through the Russian Federation by air without landing on its territory, a transit visa is not required.

Do Turkish Citizens Require a Visa for Connecting Flights to Russia?

Visa requirements for Turkish citizens on connecting flights to Russia vary depending on the person's passport type.

Ordinary passport (maroon) passport holders are not required to obtain a transit visa for connecting flights to Russia, provided that the transit time does not exceed 24 hours and that they do not leave the transit area during the waiting period. Maroon passport holders must obtain a transit visa for connecting flights to Russia that do not meet the specified conditions.

Special (green) passport, service (grey) passport and diplomatic (black) passport holders do not need a transit visa for flights connecting in Russia.

In Which Cases Is a Russian Transit Visa Not Required?

Citizens of countries that have the right to enter Russia without a visa for tourism and other purposes, for journeys that pass through the territory of the Russian Federation without changing flights, and for journeys flown by an international airline and changing flights at an airport with a transit area in the Russian Federation do not need a Russian transit visa.

What are the New Regulations for Russian Federation Transit Visa?

Within the scope of the new regulations for the Russian Federation transit visa, with the entry into force of the Customs Union Agreement, all flights between the Russian Federation and Belarus and Kazakhstan are considered domestic flights, which means that the necessary procedures such as border and passport control are carried out only in one of the specified countries. Travelers to Belarus and Kazakhstan are required to obtain a transit visa if they will be transiting via Russia.

What are the Types of Russian Transit Visa?

Russian transit visa types are listed below.

• Single-entry transit visa: It is given to people who want to transit through the territory of the Russian Federation for a period of three days. In order to be granted a single-entry transit visa, the person must have tickets, a valid visa for the country of destination or destination on the route, and a passport.
• Double-entry transit visa: The consulate decides on the validity period of the double-entry transit visa. If a person transits from Russia to another country, if the person stays in that country for more than a month, he must obtain another transit visa from the Russian consulate of the country he is in.

How to Apply for a Russian Transit Visa?

Applications for a Russian transit visa can be made in person or through accredited agencies. Applications must be made to the Russian Embassy, ​​Russian Consulates General or Russian visa application centers.

People who will apply for a Russian transit visa at Russian foreign missions can apply to the Ankara Russian Embassy, ​​Istanbul Russian Consulate General, Trabzon Russian Consulate General or Antalya Russian Consulate General. People who will apply for a Russian transit visa at the consulates must make an appointment through the consulates' online appointment sites before applying.

To apply for a Russian transit visa, the online application form must be filled out by the appointment date received from the consulates, the necessary documents must be prepared, the application fee must be paid before or after the application according to the rules of the place where the application will be made, and all these documents must be delivered to the consulate where the appointment is made on the day and time of the appointment. If all these stages are completed correctly, the application is completed.

Transit visa applications can be made through the Russian Visa Center by going to the visa centers located in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya and Trabzon. For applications to be made to the visa center, an appointment must be made through the online system. The visa application is completed by filling out the online Russian visa application form, collecting all necessary documents, paying the visa fee on or before the appointment day and delivering the documents to the visa center on the appointment day.

Russian transit visa application can also be made by sending the necessary documents to the Turkey Russian Visa Application Center by mail. In order to apply for a visa by courier, the application form must first be filled out completely, all necessary documents must be prepared, payment must be made by bank transfer and the entire application file must be delivered to the Russian Visa Center offices.

What are the documents required for a Russian Transit Visa application?

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

• Plane tickets: Plane tickets showing the dates of entry and exit to the Russian Federation are required.
• Passport: A passport valid for at least six months from the visa expiry date and with at least two blank pages must be submitted.
• Russian transit visa application form: The application form for a Russian transit visa must be filled out with complete and accurate information on the visa.kdmid.ru website.
• Photo: Two biometric photographs, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm in size, taken within the last six months must be declared.
• Entry documents: A valid visa, passport or other document indicating the necessity of entry to the other country to be entered after the Russian Federation must be presented.
• Residence permit: For foreign nationals, a copy of a residence permit valid for at least three months in Turkey must be submitted.
• Health insurance: Iranian citizens must have health insurance covering the period of stay within the borders of the Russian Federation.

All the specified documents are completed and submitted with complete and accurate information, and the application process is started in this way. The Russian Consulate may request additional documents, call for an interview or extend the evaluation period specified for the visa, in addition to the documents required for the Russian visa application .

When to Apply for a Transit Visa for Russia?

Transit visa applications for Russia are finalized within three business days at the earliest in the form of an express visa application; this period can be up to ten business days for standard visa applications. Although processing times may vary depending on the type of visa application, a transit visa application for Russia must be made 3 to 10 days before the travel date.

How Much Is a Russia Transit Visa Fee?

The fee for a Russian transit visa varies depending on the number of entries and exits and the processing day. The single-entry visa fee, which takes 1-3 days, is $160, and the double-entry visa fee is $256. The single-entry visa fee, which takes 4-10 days, is $80, and the double-entry visa fee is $128.

For single-entry Russia transit visa applications for 2022; the total cost, including visa fee, filling out the application form, hotel and flight reservations, travel health insurance, sworn translation and consultancy fees when deemed necessary, is an average of 180 dollars.

How Long Is the Validity Period of a Russian Transit Visa?

The validity period of a Russian transit visa is three days for those who will transit by air. For those who will transit by road or rail, the validity period of a transit visa can be up to ten days.

A double-entry Russian transit visa can be valid for up to 30 days. Those who will return from Russia via transit after 30 days must obtain a transit visa again.

What Activities Are Not Allowed with a Russian Transit Visa?

A Russian transit visa does not allow activities such as studying, working, establishing a business or engaging in touristic activities within the borders of Russia. A Russian transit visa must only be obtained for situations where the person will be transiting through the borders of the Russian Federation.

Can I Get a Transit Visa from Russian Airports?

No, transit visas cannot be obtained from Russian airports.

There is no visa on arrival in the Russian Federation, so a transit visa cannot be obtained at the Russian border. People who need a visa to transit through Russia must apply for a transit visa from a Russian consulate or the Russian Visa Center before their travel, as there is no visa on arrival in Russia .