Tourist Travel Requirements for an Russia Visa for Swiss Citizens

1. Entry and Exit Dates

   Russian visas are issued with specific start and expiry dates which are based on the visa support supplied. Travel must be completed within those dates. Completed visas cannot be changed or extended once they have been issued

2. Passport

   The applicant's actual passport. The passport must: 

   • Have two blank facing visa pages
   • Be valid for six months beyond exit date
   • Be free of passport covers

3. Photograph

   You must provide a photograph. Upload your photo and we will print it to the exact specifications required for this visa. Follow https://visacentral.ch/photo-service to upload your photo.

    

   Alternatively, you may provide one colour, passport type photograph that meets the following strict criteria: be taken within the last three months against a white background and printed on high quality photo paper; be 35mm by 45mm in size; provide the full frontal view of your head with your face centered in the middle and displaying a neutral (non-smiling) expression. You may wear neither spectacles nor headwear except for religious purposes. Your photograph should not be affixed to your application and may not display evidence of adhesive or staples.

4. Tourist Voucher and Confirmation

   A copy of a Russia Tourist Voucher and Russia Tourist Confirmation. This must:

   • Be stamped and signed by an authorised tour operator/travel agency
   • Be issued for stay of 30 days or less
   • Bear the exact entry and exit dates required by the applicant and as stated on the visa application form

5. Proof of Travel Insurance

   A certificate of health insurance coverage. Copies are accepted. The certificate must :

   • Indicate the name, address and phone number of the insurance company
   • Indicate the reference number of the insurance policy
   • Indicate the date of subscription to the insurance policy
   • Indicate the full name and date of birth of the applicant
   • Indicate the validity start and end dates of the policy
   • Have all dates written in the following format: DD/MM/YYYY
   • State that the policy is valid for "the Russian Federation" or "Worldwide"
   • Indicate the medical services covered by the policy including ambulance service, transport and repatriation
   • Indicate a medical liability cover of at least 30,000 Euros
   • Be signed and stamped by the insurer
   • State the full name of the signatory insurer
   • Be valid for one traveller only except for accompanying relatives or tourist groups
   • Indicate the applicant is covered for the entire period of stay in Russia for single and double entry visas and the entire stay for the first trip for multiple entry visas

6. Photocopy of Passport ID Page

   A clear copy of the information page(s) from the applicant's national passport

7. Visa Application Form(s)

   One fully completed and signed application form. This form must:
   • Be completed online at: https://visa.kdmid.ru
   • Be addressed to the "VFS Global (Geneva)"
   • Have no handwritten changes
   • State your current place of work (retired or unemployed applicants must provide their previous place of work)
   • State your actual place of birth
   • Be fully completed in all fields. "Non-mandatory" fields left blank will not be accepted
   • Bear a signature identical to the one on the applicant's passport
   • Bear a signature identical to the one on the applicant’s passport

   
   
   VisaCentral can assist the traveller in completing the online application form. This is offered as a Premium Service for an additional fee in addition to all other service fees and current VisaCentral handling fees.  In order to facilitate this, please complete the VisaCentral Russia Document Preparation Service Request which can be found within the VisaCentral Application Pack.
   
   Online application document preparation service requests must be received at VisaCentral before 14.00 hours in order to have it returned to you that day. Once VisaCentral have completed your online application we will send it to you for your signature. An original signature is required so you will need to return the form to us by post or courier

8. Consular Service Fees

   The Russian Visa Application Center charges a fee per application. The fee is CHF 38 for normal processing (7 to 10 working days)

9. Visiting Family and Friends

   Applicants staying with friends and family must provide an original invitation delivered by the Federal Migration Service in Russia

10. Holders of a Valid Russian Visa

    Applicants are only permitted to hold one valid Russian visa at any one time. Applicants holding a valid visa in a current or second passport must present this for cancellation.

11. Personal Appearance Only

    Travellers with Bangladesh, Lebanon, Syrian, Iraqi, Afghan, Yemeni, Libyan, Egyptian, Pakistani or Palestinian origins must apply for a visa in person only. VisaCentral is unable to assist in this instance

12. Former Residents of Russia or USSR

    Former residents of Russia or USSR must provide an original autobiography. This autobiography must:

    • Be signed and dated by the applicant
    • Confirm the applicant does not hold Russian citizenship
    • State when the applicant left Russia or USSR
    • State why the applicant left Russia or USSR
    • State the applicant's official registered address in Russia or USSR
    • State all of the applicant's places of residence and duration of stay since leaving Russia or USSR

    AND

    • A copy of the applicant's birth certificate

     
    OR

    • A copy of the applicant's letter of refusal or loss of Russian citizenship 

13. Double Entry Applicants

    Double entry visas are only issued to applicants who wish to visit a state bordering Russia. Travellers who wish to apply for a double entry visa must provide the additional documents:

    • A valid visa, if applicable, for the bordering state they will be visiting
    • A tourist voucher and confirmation letter which clearly states all entry and exit dates required by the applicant
    • A hotel confirmation covering the entire stay in the neighbouring state
    • Two hotel reservations for two distinct stays in Russia

14. Urgent Processing Time Applicants

    The validity of visas issued on a 2-day service starts 4 working days after submission of the visa application. Please factor this into your travel plans so travel dates can be met.