An invitation for a foreigner to enter Russia is not etiquette at all, but an indispensable document for entry in one case, in another - the basis for obtaining a visa. This nuance must be taken into account by everyone who wants to visit Russia as a tourist or business partner, as well as those whose visit is of a private nature. The process of issuing an invitation may seem complicated, although if the purpose of the foreigner's visit to Russia is in no way contrary to the law, and the package of documents is complete and the certificate is flawed, then there are usually no obstacles to receiving an invitation. You can do the design yourself or with the help of visa center specialists. An invitation to Russia for a foreigner is issued on the FMS form, which is protected from fakes.
Three types of invitations are issued for foreign guests of Russia: private, business and tourist.
Why a foreigner needs an invitation
An invitation to Russia for a foreigner is the main migration document. Without it, you can not get a visa. In international relations of Russia there is a list of countries of visa-free or simplified entry into the country. It is easy for citizens of these states to visit the Russian Federation.
The invitation must be issued by the Russian side, this process begins with a petition. It is most convenient to submit it electronically through the State Services portal.
An individual and a legal entity have the opportunity to invite a foreign guest.
An invitation to Russia for a foreigner has restrictions on the number of entries: one, two, more than two.
Private invitation for a foreigner to Russia
If you decide to issue an invitation to a foreigner in Russia, be patient and collect documents. You can invite a foreigner to Russia if you yourself are a citizen of Russia. If you want to make an invitation to a foreigner to Russia on a guest visa, you will need to contact the FMS of the Russian Federation at the place of registration. You, as an inviting private party, must vouch for your guest that he will not violate the laws of the Russian Federation. In addition, guarantee the conditions of accommodation of a foreigner. Usually this is an inviting accommodation.
To collect documents for inviting a foreigner to Russia, you will have to visit a couple of offices. And also write a statement.
The package of documents includes:
- receipt confirming payment of state duty;
- certificate confirming the availability of money necessary for expenses on the stay of a foreigner;
- a document on the place of stay of a foreign guest.
Ready invitation must be sent to a foreigner. Upon receiving it, he must submit an application to the Russian consulate along with a passport, application form, medical insurance and photograph. Visa processing times vary by country, usually from three to thirty days. To obtain a visa, you must present the original invitation.
Make sure that your guest does not forget about the duration of the guest invitation - no more than 90 days.
Travel invitation
If a foreigner wants to come to Russia to see Red Square or Lake Baikal, he will also need an invitation. It can be issued by a travel company or a visa center. This usually happens quickly and does not take more than one day. However, it all depends on the agility of specialists. They need to present a copy of the passport, give the exact date of the trip and the city of Russia, where the tourist intends to visit.
Tourist invitation includes:
- confirmation of a guest visa;
- travel guarantee.
The forms are combined by a common individual and registry number of the tour operator.Permission to travel companies to accept tourists is issued by Tourism. This is a guarantee that the voucher will be valid.
It is very convenient to use the services of travel agencies when issuing an invitation, because it is enough to leave an online application and request.
In many countries, Russian consulates accept scanned copies of invitations, which greatly simplifies the processing of a tourist visa to Russia.
If a foreign guest would like to stay in Russia for longer than 30 days, a tourist invitation is not suitable.
Business invitation for a foreigner
Russian companies have many foreign business ties. And foreign businessmen seek to enlist partnerships with domestic manufacturers, industrialists and technology parks. To make the invitation of a foreign partner possible, representatives of the Russian company need to prepare documents and know the necessary information about the businessman who is being invited, as well as have a scanned copy of his passport. A business invitation is also issued through the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation, the process begins with an application.
If a citizen is from a country that is not on the list of visa-free, then after the invitation a foreigner will need to apply for a visa. The consulate may be asked to present the original business invitation. However, sometimes the electronic version is enough - telex.
Together with the invitation issued by a law firm, a visa call number is issued. It should be called at the Russian consulate, presenting only a passport. True, you need a photograph. In most countries, business invitation visas are issued urgently. They allow a foreign partner to visit Russia many times.
A legal entity can independently conduct the process of issuing an invitation for a foreigner to Russia or use the services of special centers. The cost of their work usually depends on the frequency of trips and the urgency of preparing the document - from 3,000 to 15,000 rubles.
Guest information in invitation
The Russian side, represented by the employer, travel company or relative, must know certain information about their guest.
You will need to specify:
- the exact name of the foreigner in Cyrillic and Latin letters;
- gender, date of birth, place of residence and citizenship;
- passport ID;
- purpose of the visit and terms of stay in Russia;
- names of cities chosen by the foreigner to visit.
The more attentively a foreigner treats the information about himself provided to the Russian side, the easier it is to exclude an offensive mistake, for example, in the complex name of a foreign guest.
How to get a visa to Russia
The algorithm is the same, despite the purpose of the trip. The only difference is the permitted way of presenting an invitation.
How to get a visa to Russia:
- You need to know the exact date of entry into Russia and the length of stay in the country. The type of visa depends on its duration and number of days, as well as the purpose of the visit (tourism, business negotiations, study or meeting with relatives). For certain countries, visa processing begins with an invitation.
- What follows is the process of preparing and receiving an invitation or a tourist guarantee, i.e. a voucher.
- Filling out a visa application on the website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. Only the questionnaire completed on the portal and modeled on the department will be accepted by the Russian consulate. The process of filling out the questionnaire is simple, among other things, you will need to choose a place to apply for a visa, because for citizens of some countries, Russia offers a choice: visa centers or consulate.
- Print out the visa application and submit it to the consulate or visa center with the invitation.
- Pick up the visa at the appointed time. Immediately check if the name, passport details and validity of the visa are correct. Later, no changes to the visa will be possible.
check in
To legally stay in the Russian Federation, you must not only legally cross the border, but also follow the rules for staying in Russia and register with the migration register, i.e.make a registration.
The procedure is provided for by federal law, and if a foreigner does not perform it in the first week from the day of entry, questions will arise not only for the guest, but also for the inviting party. Therefore, you must make sure that the alien you invited is registered. This is a simple procedure and, as a rule, does not take much time. The receiving party will be asked to fill out a notice by writing in the form information about the guest and the inviter. The notice must be supplemented with copies of the documents of the foreign guest. Inquiries can be sent by mail or submitted to the district department of the migration service of the village.
After 90 days, the registration deadline will expire. During this time, a foreigner must decide on an educational institution or employment. Renewal is permitted for certain reasons. For example, if there is an employment contract, work permit or document from the place of study. The extension of registration will no longer require the participation of the inviting party, only representatives of the employer or the university can do this.
Who can't be invited
When is it impossible to issue an invitation to Russia for foreigners? The FMS informs that the presence of a foreign guest should not threaten the safety of Russian citizens and harm the activities of state institutions or enterprises. Therefore, some foreigners in Russia may not be happy to refuse entry. In such cases, it is pointless to start the invitation process.
They will not be allowed into Russia:
- previously convicted or brought to administrative responsibility more often than twice in three years;
- tax debtors or fines;
- previously deported.
Who can invite a foreigner
Any Russian citizen or company, as well as universities, educational and scientific centers can issue an invitation to a foreigner in Russia.
In addition, migrants who have issued a residence permit have the right to invite a foreigner.
Who doesn’t need a visa
Some nationalities may not bother with obtaining a visa. An invitation to a foreigner to Russia for an individual does not need to be received by citizens of certain states. Visa-free entry to Russia is available to residents:
- Belarus, Abkhazia, Armenia, Ukraine, South Ossetia, Kazakhstan, Moldova and other CIS countries.
- Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Citizens of South Korea can stay without an invitation for up to two months, residents of Turkey and Thailand - up to thirty days.
It is enough for the Serbs to have a passport.
Macedonians and Bosnians, for example, to stay in Russia for one month as part of a private or business visit, after which it can be extended to three months. An invitation will be required.
An example of an application for an invitation to a foreigner to Russia
The invitation document contains a “header”, which indicates:
- to which authority and which country the application is sent;
- from whom;
- passport details of the applicant;
- family composition;
- You will also need to indicate the address of registration of registration, occupation and profession.
An example of an application for an invitation to a foreigner in the Russian Federation is presented below.
“I, ______, invite an Italian citizen, ______, born on 19__, place of residence: ____ (provide information about the guest: address, composition of his family, occupation, passport details and purpose of his visit).
I undertake to ensure compliance with the rules of stay of a foreign citizen on the territory of the Russian Federation and to bear all expenses associated with its provision, accommodation and medical care. ”
The statement must be certified by a notary. Data on the type of trip and the purpose of the visit cannot be changed.
And one more important tip. In general, issuing an invitation for a foreigner to Russia does not entail inconvenience, including an invitation to a foreigner from an individual. But hundreds of companies have been created to offer assistance in arranging invitations. They lure the client with short terms, service capabilities and qualified specialists.But do not rush to choose assistants for a bright site with flashy calls. As a rule, the usual monitoring of reviews is enough to understand who really helps and who creates additional difficulties.