Russia VKS Visa Application Process

Russia VKS Visa Application Process

The Russian VKS visa is a long-term Russian work visa that allows entering Russia and working as a worker in Russia for 3 years. The Russian Federation issues VKS visas to highly qualified workers abroad to work in Russia.

In order to obtain a Russian VKS visa, it is necessary to be accepted to a job in Russia, receive an invitation from the employer, prepare the necessary documents and apply for a visa.

The documents required for qualified workers in the Russian Federation include an invitation letter from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, an employer letter, an ELISA test result, and a passport.

What is VKS?

VKS stands for highly qualified personnel and VKS visa is a type of visa issued by the Russian Federation for expert workers. The Russian Federation grants VKS visa to foreigners who have received a job offer from Russia and meet the necessary conditions. Those who will apply for VKS visa must have an official invitation approved by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

Who is Eligible for a Russian Highly Skilled Work Visa?

Foreigners who are qualified workers and meet the necessary conditions can come to Russia for work purposes by obtaining a Russian VKS visa.

What are the Application Requirements for a 3-Year Russia Visa?

3-year Russian visa application requirements are listed below.

• Applicants with managerial qualifications must have higher education and have at least 5 years of work experience in senior management positions.
• Applicants with the qualification of finance director must have completed higher education in economics. They must have at least 5 years of work experience in finance and accounting, including senior management positions.
• Applicants for the position of assistant human resources manager must have higher education and at least 5 years of work experience in human resources positions.
• Persons applying as department heads must have higher education and at least 5 years of work experience.
• For the position of assistant commercial manager, higher education in economics must be completed and 5 years of experience in the same position must be had.
• The Russian Federation has set a minimum salary of at least 167,000 rubles for highly qualified specialists who will work in Russia, with some exceptions.
• A monthly amount of 58,500 rubles is set for highly qualified specialists who will work in the Dubna, Moscow, Petersburg and Tomsk technology development special economic zones.
• For academic researchers or teachers working as research or teaching assistants, a monthly salary of 83,500 rubles is given.
• Medical and research workers are given 1 million rubles annually.

How to Apply for a Russian VKS Visa?

Russian Federation VKS visa applications can be made in person or through accredited agencies to the Russian Embassy, ​​Russian consulates general or intermediary institution's visa application centers.

Visa applications made through Russian foreign missions are made at Russian consulates in Istanbul, Ankara, Trabzon and Antalya. For Russian visa applications to be made at consulates, an appointment must be made at the consulate. The online Russian visa application form and questionnaire must be filled out completely, the required documents must be attached and the visa fee must be paid through contracted banks. The documents must be submitted completely on the VKS visa appointment day. A visa interview is held if deemed necessary by the Russian Consulate.

To apply for a Russian visa through the Russian Visa Center, applications are made to the visa application centers located in Istanbul, Ankara, Trabzon and Antalya. An online appointment is required to apply to the Russian Visa Center. Russian visa applications are completed through the Russian Visa Center by filling out the Russian visa application form, preparing the necessary documents, paying the visa fee before or during the appointment depending on the visa center to be applied to, and finally submitting the documents.

Where to Make an Appointment for Russian Federation VKS Visa?

If you apply for a Russian VKS visa from a visa application center, you must make an appointment through the visa center's online appointment system; if you apply from a consulate, you must make an appointment through the consulate's online appointment systems.

If you are going to get a Russian VKS visa appointment from a consulate, you can get an appointment by signing up and entering your name, surname, phone number, email and date of birth through the consulate's electronic appointment system.

If the Russian VKS visa will be obtained from visa application centers, the visa application must be filled online by entering the place of application, place of residence, visa type, application number and e-mail address information through the online appointment system.

The visual for making an appointment at the consulate for the Russian VKS visa is given below.

The visual for making an appointment from the Russian Visa Center for the Russian VKS visa is given below.

What are the Required Documents for a Russian VKS Visa?

The documents required for the Russian VKS visa are listed below.

• Visa invitation from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs: A Russian VKS visa invitation from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs must be requested from the Russian employer. The Russian VKS visa invitation must be in original, printed or electronic form.
• Passport: A passport valid for 6 months beyond the end of the planned stay in Russia is required.
• Russian employer letter: It must be a job offer letter written and signed by a Russian employer.
  • The personal information of the Russian VKS visa applicant, the date of travel to Russia, the destination and the purpose of the travel to Russia must be clearly explained.
  • It should include the name of the company to be worked with in Russia and the contact information of the authorized persons.
  • It should be clearly stated who will cover the expenses of the trip to Russia.
• HIV Test (AIDS) Certificate: Must be made within the last three months before the Russian VKS visa application.
• Document confirming the work permit
• Payment of state duty: A document showing that the state duty of 800 rubles has been paid is required.

How Much Is The Russia VKS Visa Fee?

Russian VKS visa fees vary depending on the number of entries to Russia and the visa processing day duration.

For a Russian visa, the process takes 4-10 days and the single-entry visa costs $80, the double-entry visa costs $128, and the multiple-entry visa costs $240. For a Russian visa, the process takes 1-3 days and the single-entry visa costs $160, the double-entry visa costs $256, and the multiple-entry visa costs $480.

Russian visa fees are paid in cash or through banks in dollars, depending on where the visa application is made.

For single-entry Russian VKS visa applications for 2022; Total costs, including visa fee, application form filling, travel health insurance, sworn translation, notary approval and consultancy fee, amount to an average of 180 dollars.

How Many Days Does It Take to Finalize a Russian VKS Visa?

The Russian VKS visa application is evaluated within 10 working days and it is decided whether the Russian VKS visa will be granted to the applicant.

Russian VKS visa applications are processed by the Embassy and Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Türkiye and the processing time may vary depending on the density.

If an urgent visa application for a Russian VKS visa is ordered by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ambassador or Consul General of the Russian Federation, the processing time can be completed within 3 business days or less.

If deemed necessary by the Consulate, the Russian VKS visa processing time can take up to 30 days.

How to Make a Russia VKS Visa Inquiry?

Consulates do not have any tracking and query system for the Russian VKS visa, but information about the application can be requested by contacting the visa unit of the relevant consulates via phone or e-mail.

VKS visa applications made through the Russian Visa Center are tracked through the online tracking system with passport number/reference number and date of birth information.

The application tracking image of the Russian Visa Center is given below.

How Long Is the Russian VKS Visa Validity Period?

The validity period of the Russian VKS visa is 3 years.

Can a 3-Year Work Visa in Russia Be Extended?

The 3-year work visa in Russia can be extended.

20 days before the expiration of the 3-year visa, the Russian VKS visa can be extended for another 3 years without leaving Russia. In order to extend the 3-year work visa, registration must be made with the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Migration of the Russian Federation.

After entering the Russian Federation with a work visa and registering with the relevant institutions, the application process for a long-term work visa is concluded within 2 weeks.

What are the advantages of the Russian VKS Visa?

The advantages of the Russian VKS visa are listed below.

• Work permit applications for foreign citizens are processed regardless of quotas.
• There is no need to apply for permits to employ foreign personnel.
• Foreign personnel may be granted a work permit covering several Russian regions.
• Multiple entry work visas are issued for highly qualified specialists, covering a work permit period of three years.
• The work permit application period for highly qualified specialists is 14 days.
• The validity period of multiple-entry visas can be extended without the need to exit the Russian Federation.
• With a visa for a highly qualified specialist, family members of highly qualified specialists in Russia have the right to work and can easily find a job.
• If a foreign citizen is in the Russian Federation under a work visa issued for a different legal entity, he can be issued with such a visa without having to leave the Russian Federation.
• Highly qualified specialists can carry out their work on business trips to any administrative region of the Russian Federation.
• Highly qualified specialist workers and their family members are allowed to register for immigration within 90 days from the date of their entry into the Russian Federation, and if they are travelling within the Russian Federation, they do not need to register for immigration for up to 30 days.
• The income of highly qualified specialists is taxed at a rate of 13%, and the employer is obliged to pay only 0.2% tax to the Social Insurance Fund.
• Highly qualified specialists and their family members are given the right to easily apply for a residence permit for the duration of the work permit.
• A work permit for highly qualified specialists is issued in the name of a Russian company or a branch of a foreign company.

For highly qualified specialists who want to work in Russia, the advantages they will receive within the scope of the Russian Federation work visa will make their business life easier.

Can I Get a Permanent Residence Permit in Russia with a VKS Visa?

Yes, it is possible to obtain a permanent residence permit in Russia with a VKS visa.

Those who have resided in Russia for two years as highly qualified employees in accordance with a permanent residence permit are granted an indefinite permanent Russian residence permit.

What are the Disadvantages of a 3-Year Work Visa in Russia?

The disadvantages of the Russian 3-year work visa are listed below.

Those working in Russia with a VKS visa are required to have a valid health insurance policy or a contract for medical care for all family members.

Those working in Russia with a VKS visa are required to receive a minimum salary of 167,000 rubles (2,300 euros) per month, and the amount paid must be accounted for on a quarterly basis.