Issuing invitations to foreign citizens to enter the Russian Federation

Help for foreign citizens during the coronavirus quarantine period »

The following services are currently available:

• Issuing an invitation to the Russian Federation for business purposes for citizens or residents of the following countries: Great Britain (suspended), Venezuela, Vietnam, Germany, Greece, Egypt, India, Qatar, Cuba, Maldives, UAE, Seychelles, Serbia, Singapore, Syria, Tanzania (suspended), Turkey (suspended), Finland, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, South Korea, Japan. And also for residents of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. And also for residents of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. If you do not have citizenship of one of these countries, you must attach a document (notarized translation) confirming the right to permanent residence: a residence permit or work visa.
• Registration of a business invitation to the Russian Federation for the purpose of a maintenance trip for a wide list of countries.

Travelmart provides services only to legal entities registered in Moscow or the Moscow Region. Before submitting documents to the Ministry of Internal Affairs directly for an invitation, the company's accreditation as an inviting organization is required - details here.

A business visa to the Russian Federation for foreigners is a popular type of Russian visa, as it opens up more opportunities for foreign citizens compared to tourist or private visas.

A business visa to Russia is issued to foreign citizens at a consulate abroad on the basis of a business invitation, which you can issue with our help.

We assist the client's company in obtaining registration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation and subsequently issuing invitations directly on its behalf.

Invitations are guaranteed to be accepted at all Russian Consulates abroad, as a basis for obtaining a business visa.

Recipients of public services

• Legal entities that have registered with an authorized division or territorial body by notification.
• Branches, representative offices of foreign commercial organizations, registered with the Federal Migration Service of Russia or its territorial body by notification, in the event that these branches invite foreign citizens for the purpose of carrying out labor activities in the Russian Federation;
• Representative offices of foreign commercial organizations that have registered with the Federal Migration Service of Russia or its territorial body through a notification procedure, in the event that these representative offices invite foreign citizens sent for the purpose of carrying out labor activities in the Russian Federation in accordance with Article 13.5 of the Federal Law “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in Russian Federation".
• Citizens of the Russian Federation.
• Foreign citizens permanently residing in the Russian Federation.
• Foreign citizens who are highly qualified specialists, carrying out labor activities in this capacity on the territory of the Russian Federation, if they invite members of their family.

In accordance with the requirements of the Federal Law of July 25, 2002 No. 115-FZ “On the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation”, family members of a highly qualified specialist are his spouse, children (including adopted children), spouses of children, parents (including adopted ones), spouses of parents, grandparents, grandchildren.

In relation to foreign citizens - highly qualified specialists and members of their families, the inviting party may be:

• Russian commercial organizations;
• Russian scientific organizations, educational institutions of vocational education (with the exception of institutions of professional religious education (spiritual educational institutions)), health care institutions, as well as other organizations carrying out scientific, scientific, technical and innovative activities, experimental developments, tests, training in accordance with state priority areas for the development of science, technology and engineering of the Russian Federation, if they have state accreditation in cases provided for by the legislation of the Russian Federation;
• Branches of foreign legal entities accredited in accordance with the established procedure on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Where should I apply for an invitation?

Authorized representatives of legal entities apply for an invitation to be issued at their location.

The location of a legal entity is the place of its state registration.

Authorized representatives of foreign legal entities and branches of foreign legal entities apply for an invitation to the place where they are registered with the tax authority.

Citizens of the Russian Federation apply for an invitation to be issued at their place of residence or place of stay.

Foreign citizens permanently residing in the Russian Federation apply for an invitation to be issued at their place of residence.

Foreign citizens who are highly qualified specialists, carrying out labor activities in this capacity on the territory of the Russian Federation, apply in relation to their family members at the place of temporary stay (residence), and in the case of obtaining a residence permit - at the place of residence.

An application for issuing an invitation to enter the Russian Federation can be submitted electronically using the Unified Portal for the provision of state and municipal services (functions).

List of documents required to issue an invitation

To issue an invitation, the recipient of the public service must submit the following documents:

• Application for issuing an invitation (samples No. 1, No. 2).
• A valid identification document of the inviting party. A copy of the identity document of the invited foreign citizen and recognized by the Russian Federation in this capacity, the validity of which, as a rule, should not expire earlier than 6 months from the date of expiration of the intended period of stay. In the case where the invited person is accompanied by family members included in his passport, copies of the relevant pages of the passport.
• Letters of guarantee from the inviting party regarding the assumption of obligations for material, medical and housing support for the invited foreign citizen for the period of his stay in the Russian Federation (samples No. 11, No. 12).
• An individual acting as an inviting party attaches to the letters of guarantee on the material, medical and housing support of a foreign citizen for the period of his stay in the Russian Federation information on income (monetary funds) that allows him to ensure the fulfillment of the above obligations.
• The inviting party takes measures to implement guarantees of material, medical and housing support for the invited foreign citizen during his stay in the Russian Federation.

Attention! In accordance with the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences, failure by the inviting party to take measures to provide material, medical and housing support for the invited foreign citizen during his stay in the Russian Federation shall entail the imposition of an administrative fine on officials in the amount of forty thousand to fifty thousand rubles; for legal entities - from four hundred thousand to five hundred thousand rubles.

• A receipt for payment of the state fee for issuing an invitation, in cases provided for by the legislation of the Russian Federation (800 rubles), is provided at the initiative of the applicant: in non-cash form, the fact of payment is confirmed by a payment order;
• in cash, the fact of payment is confirmed by a receipt. In this case, it is important that from the documents submitted it can be clearly established that the payer is acting on behalf of the represented organization. This fact is confirmed by the presence of: a) a power of attorney or constituent documents, which indicate that the payer is a representative of the organization
• b) an expenditure cash order or other document confirming the issuance of funds to pay the state duty.

If the state duty is paid on behalf of an improper payer in an improper amount, then the payment will not be considered executed in relation to the proper payer.

In accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 333.35 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, if an individual applies for an invitation in the form of an electronic document using a single portal of state and municipal services, the state duty is charged with a coefficient of 0.7 of the established one

The above paragraphs do not apply to legal entities acting as an inviting party in relation to foreign citizens - highly qualified specialists.

Attention! Citizens have the right not to submit: 1. A receipt for payment of the state fee for issuing an invitation. 2. Copies of the permit to attract and use foreign workers and a work permit, or a copy of the application with a mark confirming the receipt of documents from the employer for issuing a work permit for each foreign worker, in the case of issuing an invitation for the purpose of carrying out work activities. 3. A special permit or corresponding approval from the FSB of Russia or its territorial body, giving the right for the invited foreign citizen to enter the territory for which such permission or approval is required.

Obtaining a business visa to Russia

Having received an invitation, a foreign citizen must apply for a business visa to Russia. To obtain a business visa, he must provide the following documents to the consular department of the Russian Federation in his country:

• completed visa application form;
• two photographs in visa format;
• a foreign passport valid for at least six months after the expiration of the visa received;
• original invitation or its printed electronic version;
• receipt of payment of the consular fee.

Additionally, a medical insurance policy and an HIV test may be requested. The applicant can check the requirements for documents and the amount of the consular fee on the website of the Russian embassy or consulate in their country.

Deadline for issuing an invitation

The invitation is issued within a period not exceeding 20 working days from the date the applicant submits the application (with all necessary documents attached). If there are documented circumstances related to the need for emergency treatment, serious illness or death of a close relative, or other circumstances requiring the immediate entry of a foreign citizen into the Russian Federation, the period for issuing an invitation should not exceed 5 working days from the date of submission of the necessary documents.

When issuing an invitation to a highly qualified specialist, the period for issuing an invitation should not exceed 14 working days from the date of receipt of all necessary documents.

Deadline for issuing an invitation upon a request submitted by a highly qualified specialist working in the Russian Federation in the manner prescribed by Article 13.2 of Federal Law No. 115-FZ of July 25, 2002 “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation” for issuing an invitation to members of his family should not exceed 14 working days from the date of receipt of all necessary documents.

In accordance with Article 2 of the Federal Law of July 25, 2002 No. 115-FZ “On the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation,” a foreign citizen permanently residing in the Russian Federation is a person who has received a residence permit.

For citizens of the Russian Federation living on the territory of the Russian Federation - a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, identifying the identity of a citizen of the Russian Federation on the territory of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as an internal passport).

For citizens of the Russian Federation permanently residing outside the Russian Federation - a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation, identifying the identity of a citizen of the Russian Federation outside the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as a foreign passport).

For foreign citizens - a passport of a foreign citizen or another document established by federal law or recognized in accordance with an international treaty of the Russian Federation as an identification document of a foreign citizen. For a foreign citizen permanently residing in the Russian Federation - a residence permit.

Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of March 24, 2003 No. 167 “On the procedure for providing guarantees of material, medical and housing support for foreign citizens and stateless persons for the period of their stay in the Russian Federation.”

In accordance with Article 16 of the Federal Law of July 25, 2002 No. 115-FZ “On the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation.”

The list of territories with regulated visits for entry into which foreign citizens require special permission was approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of October 11, 2002 No. 754.

How to issue an invitation for a foreigner to travel to Russia on behalf of a company in 2021

A visit to the Russian Federation by foreign guests for the purpose of carrying out professional and commercial activities on its territory, as well as for the purpose of conducting negotiations and participating in business meetings, will require a business visa. The basis for its issuance is an invitation for a foreigner to Russia from the company. There are several ways to design it in 2021.

The document is valid for the entire period of stay of a foreign citizen in Russia.

What types of invitations are there?

There are three types of invitations for foreign citizens.

1. Business invitation (relevant for single-entry and multiple-entry visas).
2. Work invitation (relevant for foreign citizens who are interested in work).
3. Tour voucher (relevant for foreign citizens planning a tourist trip).

Tourist voucher and confirmation of acceptance of a foreigner

A sample petition can be downloaded on the Internet;.

Recipient categories

A guest invitation for a foreigner can be issued by:

• legal entities (carrying out their activities in the Russian Federation);
• citizens of the Russian Federation;
• foreign citizens permanently residing in the Russian Federation legally.

The package of documents includes a passport, medical insurance policy and some other documents. The full list can be found on the website of the Russian consulate.

Features of a guest invitation to Russia

An ordinary private visa to Russia implies that a foreign citizen will live at a private address for the duration of his trip, which will be indicated by the inviting party when filling out the application form for an invitation required to obtain a private visa to the Russian Federation.

Therefore, in cases where:

• your guests have not yet decided where they will stay;
• priority is given to a hotel or a hotel;
• you are not the owner of the apartment or do not want to burden the owner with documents and trips to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

It is worth considering an alternative, less labor-intensive option for issuing a tourist invitation.

In some cases, foreigners want to apply for a private multiple-entry visa to the Russian Federation.

Business invitation

For EU countries, USA, Japan, China - fill out the online form, pay, receive an invitation by email.

For other countries, you need to fill out an online form, pay, wait for the invitation to be issued within the deadline specified when ordering

For this you will need such documents.

What to check when receiving an invitation

When receiving an invitation, please check the information:

– your personal data (first name, last name, patronymic, date of birth, gender);

– passport data (passport number, valid until);

– visa frequency and purpose of entry;

– dates of entry and stay in Russia (must correspond to the dates of stay in Russia).

‍HSE campuses can order a delivery service by first agreeing on the date and time with the Center.

If the original invitation is not required, then you can send a scan by email, having agreed on the information in advance with the foreign citizen, in accordance with the requirements of the consular office of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs abroad.

Features of issuing invitations to highly qualified specialists and members of their families

In accordance with Article 13.2 of the Federal Law of July 25, 2002 N 115-FZ “On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation”, a highly qualified specialist is a foreign citizen with work experience, skills or achievements in a specific field of activity, if the conditions for attracting him to labor activity in the Russian Federation involves the receipt of wages (remuneration) in the amount of two or more million rubles for a period not exceeding one year.

To obtain a work permit for a highly qualified specialist, the employer, customer of work (services), who attracts a highly qualified specialist to work in the Russian Federation, submits in one copy to the Federal Migration Service of Russia:

• Request to hire a highly qualified specialist;
• An employment contract or a civil contract for the performance of work (provision of services) with a highly qualified specialist, the entry into force of which is conditional on the receipt of a work permit by this highly qualified specialist;
• A written obligation to pay (reimburse) the expenses of the Russian Federation associated with the possible administrative expulsion from the Russian Federation or deportation of a highly qualified specialist attracted by it.

To issue a highly qualified specialist an invitation to enter the Russian Federation for the purpose of carrying out work activities, the employee of the Federal Migration Service of Russia responsible for receiving the above documents immediately transmits copies of the application to attract a highly qualified specialist and an employment contract or a civil contract for the performance of work (rendering services) with attracted by a highly qualified specialist, the entry into force of which is conditioned by the receipt by this highly qualified specialist of a work permit in the authorized unit of the Federal Migration Service of Russia.

The invitation is issued for the duration of the employment contract or civil contract for the performance of work (provision of services), but not more than three years from the date of the expected entry of a highly qualified specialist into the Russian Federation.

The quota for issuing invitations to foreign citizens to enter the Russian Federation for the purpose of carrying out work activities does not apply to highly qualified specialists and members of their families.

Attention! In accordance with the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses, the provision by the inviting party of knowingly false information about the purpose of a foreign citizen’s stay in the Russian Federation when preparing documents for entry into the Russian Federation of the said foreign citizen shall entail the imposition of an administrative fine on officials in the amount of forty thousand to fifty thousand rubles ; for legal entities - from four hundred thousand to five hundred thousand rubles. When considering an application for issuing an invitation, a check is carried out to determine the presence or absence of the grounds provided for in Articles 26 and 27 of the Federal Law of August 25, 1996 No. 114-FZ “On the procedure for leaving the Russian Federation and entering the Russian Federation”, on which the entry of a foreigner the citizen is not allowed or may not be allowed.

Based on the results of consideration of the application, a decision is made to issue or refuse an invitation.

Business invitation for foreigners to Russia

A business invitation can be the basis for issuing a Russian business visa to a foreigner or the basis for visa-free entry. But receiving a visa by invitation does not give permission to work.

Types of business invitation

The following types are provided:

• A letter of invitation from a Russian organization on paper with its logo and details. Typically, this form is used for the EU and the USA, with which a simplified procedure is provided. It is completed in just one day and the foreigner receives an invitation document on FMS letterhead. The validity period of such a document is 1-3 months, with it you can enter Russia 1 or 2 times. Can be issued with multiple entries for a period of six months to a year. The objective reason for a possible refusal is the foreigner’s previous violation of Russian migration legislation. It is usually sent to the foreigner by express mail. DHL mail provides the fastest delivery.
• On the form of the Federal Migration Service . To issue it, a Russian legal entity must submit a petition to the FMS and ask to issue an invitation to a foreigner. The received document is sent by the inviting party to the foreigner. The authenticity of the invitation can be verified by a foreigner using the electronic database of the Federal Migration Service. This type of document can be single/double or multiple, valid for 30 - 365 days.
• Electronic version of the FMS with barcode . This is a modern simple and one of the most popular design methods at the moment. To register, a Russian legal entity must contact the FMS and provide the necessary data and documents about the foreigner.
• Telex . This is a specific telegraphy network, arranged through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Information regarding the foreign citizen and the details of his invitation is sent via a special communication channel to the Russian Consulate in the relevant foreign state. The following data is transmitted: document expiration date, passport details of the foreigner, information about the Russian applicant. Data is sent digitally. Registration is much more convenient and faster than issuing the original invitation on the FMS form.

Telex invitation for a foreigner to Russia

To fill out a business invitation, you must provide the following information:

1. Full name of the foreigner, gender;
2. Nationality;
3. Date of birth;
4. Validity period of the invitation;
5. Purpose of visiting the Russian Federation.

The invitation must have the seal of the FMS department and the signature of its employee.

The duration of registration depends on the citizenship of the foreigner, length of stay in the Russian Federation, and type of business invitation. Usually it ranges from one day to 30. A person who wants to invite a foreigner must request a sample invitation in paper and electronic form.

Purposes of foreigners’ stay in Russia

A business invitation must specify the purpose of your stay in the country.

Main purposes of stay:

• "A commercial". Issued for persons who work outside of Russia and plan to visit the country for business meetings. It is issued to employees of foreign companies for the implementation of joint projects with our partners;
• "Maintenance". Issued for engineers and technical specialists arriving in the country to assist in the installation, installation, configuration or repair of equipment purchased abroad;
• “Cultural connections” and “scientific and technical connections”. To invite musicians and artists who come to perform at concerts;
• "Accompanying a family member." For family members who are traveling with a person making a business trip to Russia (most often given to children arriving accompanied by parents);
• “Crew member” - for pilots, flight attendants.

How to order a business invitation

To order, you need to fill out the form “Information about the invited person” and send a scan of the foreigner’s passport - a spread with a photo. When ordering a business invitation, you must pay special attention to the validity period of the passport. It must exceed the invitation period by at least six months.

To obtain a business visa, a business invitation is required. It has different types and terms of registration.

Refusal to issue an invitation

An invitation will not be issued if:

• A decision was made against a foreign citizen not to allow entry into the Russian Federation on the grounds provided for in Articles 26, 27 of Federal Law No. 114-FZ of August 15, 1996 “On the procedure for leaving the Russian Federation and entering the Russian Federation. The decision to refuse to issue a highly qualified specialist an invitation to enter the Russian Federation for the purpose of carrying out work activities is made if there is one of the grounds provided for in subparagraphs 1-7 of paragraph 9 and paragraph 9.1 of Article 18 of the Federal Law of July 25, 2002 No. 115-FZ “ On the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation”, if this foreign citizen: advocates a violent change in the foundations of the constitutional system of the Russian Federation, or by other actions creates a threat to the security of the Russian Federation or citizens of the Russian Federation.
• finances, plans terrorist (extremist) acts, assists in the commission of such acts or commits them, as well as through other actions supports terrorist (extremist) activities.
• during the five years preceding the day of filing the application, was subject to administrative expulsion from the Russian Federation, deportation, or was transferred by the Russian Federation to a foreign state in accordance with the international treaty of the Russian Federation on readmission, or during the ten years preceding the day of filing the application,
• repeatedly (two or more times) was subjected to administrative expulsion from the Russian Federation, deportation, or transferred by the Russian Federation to a foreign state in accordance with the international treaty of the Russian Federation on readmission.
• submitted forged or forged documents or provided knowingly false information about himself.
• convicted by a court verdict that has entered into legal force for committing a grave or especially grave crime or a crime the recurrence of which is recognized as dangerous. has an outstanding or unexpunged conviction for committing a grave or especially grave crime on the territory of the Russian Federation or abroad, recognized as such in accordance with federal law.
• repeatedly (two or more times) within one year was brought to administrative responsibility for violating the legislation of the Russian Federation in terms of ensuring the regime of stay (residence) of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation.

Lawyers and lawyers of the Bar Association No. 1 are engaged in issuing invitations to enter the Russian Federation for foreign citizens in accordance with the law and in the shortest possible time. Contact us for this legal service!

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