Private visa

Ordinary private visa is issued to the citizens of Italy, citizens of other countries and persons without citizenship for an entry to the Russian Federation for a guest visit based on:

1. Invitation issued by the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal affairs of the Russian Federation invitation, based on a request from a citizen of the Russian Federation, a foreign citizen with the Russian federation residence permit or a legal entity; or
2. A written application from a Russian citizen to the Head of the Consulate an entry into the Russian Federation with family member, who is not a Russian citizen; or
3. A notarized written request of a citizen of the European Union who is legally residing in the Russian Federation and is inviting close relatives.

Ordinary private visa may also be issued in connection with a necessity of entry into the Russian Federation for urgent treatment or due to a serious illness or death of a close relative if one has the documents confirming the necessity of urgent treatment, serious illness or death of a close relative.

Private visa is issued for a period up to 90 days and may be single- or double-entry.

Individual cases

For persons, visiting military or civilian burial sites, it is necessary to submit the following documents (*According to the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the European Community on facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the Russian Federation and EU):

• Original or a stamped and signed copy of a document, confirming the existence of the burial site. The document must be issued by a Russian government agency or the organization “Red Cross”;
• Original or a copy of a document, confirming the kinship (lineal consanguinity*) of an applicant and the buried. *Relatives with lineal consanguinity are taken to be parents, children, grandchildren, spouses, grandparents, siblings;
• For persons visiting military and civilian burial sites usually short-term private visas are issued valid for up to 14 days.

An ordinary private visa may be issued to a foreign citizen in connection with a necessity of entry into the Russian federation for urgent treatment, due to a serious illness or death of a close relative, based on a decision of the Ambassador of the Russian Federation or Consul-General of the Russian Federation due to a written request of a foreign citizen.

The following documents are to be included to a request:

• a written confirmation from a Russian medical institution issued on an official letterhead (stamped) indicating the necessity of an emergency medical care, emergent hospitalization, emergent examination or a serious illness of a person that is being visited requiring constant care.
• or death certificate of a citizen – applicant‘s close relative (close relatives are taken to be spouses, children, parents, including parents-in-law, if a spouse is an accompanying person, siblings);
• or an international telegraph message indicating death of a citizen certified by an official from an institution of communication;
• a document confirming an immediate relationship of an applicant and a person to be visited or immediate relationship of an applicant and the deceased. 

In order to apply for ordinary private visa, one must submit:

1.     The invitation for an entry into the Russian Federation, issued by the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal affairs of the Russian Federation (a visa can be issued on the basis of an electronic invitation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia – a foreign citizen must present its short or full printed copy,  or on the basis of a paper invitation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia – must be presented the original);

2.        Passport with no less than 2 empty pages for visas, valid for 6 months from the visa expiry date – the original;

3.     Visa application form filled in on the website kdmid.ru, printed and signed personally by the applicant – the original;

When choosing the location where you will be applying for your visa, it is necessary to indicate the Visa Center where you are planning to submit the documents.

At the Visa Application Center you can use the service of filling in a visa application form (the presence of the applicant is required).

4.     Colour photography according to the photo specifications – the original.

At the Russian visa center in Rome or Milan you may ask for the additional service “Express Photo” (the service is not available for small children);

5.     Medical insurance policy valid on the territory of Russian Federation that covers the entire duration of the visa, except for the mutual insurance cases.

Please note! Medical insurance policy must contain:

– policy number;

– contract date;

– first name, last name and father’s name of a policy holder, the date of birth;

– details of the insurer;

– the validity period of the policy must cover the entire duration of the visa and guarantee a minimum coverage of medical and medical transportation costs in the amount of EUR 30,000;

– list of medical and medical transportation services including repatriation of remains;

– coverage territory – the whole world or the Russian Federation; Europe, including Russia;

– the signature and seal of the insurer.

Insurance policies, letters of confirmation from insurance organizations not containing the above-mentioned information, set forms with stamps of the insurance companies and other insurance documents not fulfilling the indicated requirements are not considered.

6.      Power of Attorney (in case of submitting documents/collecting passport with ready visa by a third party);

Please note! If you are not a citizen of Italy, you must also submit:

a) a permit for a continuous stay in Italy for more than 90 days for citizens of the following countries: Albania, Bahrain, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Georgia, Haiti, Ireland, Japan, Lesotho, Libya, Macedonia, Mali, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Republic of Korea, Republic of South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Venezuela.

According to the national legislation of Italy, a residence permit issued based on a corresponding visa serves as a document based on which a foreign citizen may continuously stay in the country for more than 90 days.

b) Italy Permanent Resident Card (Permesso di soggiorno per soggiornanti di lungo periodo) for the citizens of the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Chad, China, DPRK, Ethiopia, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Vietnam.

c) In connection with the current restrictions on entry into the Russian Federation in accordance with paragraph 4 of paragraph 5 of the Order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated June 28, 2021 No. 1745-r, for third-countries citizens or stateless persons, the posession of an Italian residence permit is a prerequisite for obtaining visas, EU citizens are also required to prove their right to reside permanently in Italy.

Please note! Consulate institution reserves a right to request additional documents for visa processing, invite for an interview or extend the duration of a visa processing.

Close relatives* – spouses, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren – of citizens of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia) legally residing in the Russian Federation can obtain private visas also on the basis of a notarized invitation from the next of kin permanently residing in Russia. The lawful residence must be proven by providing a copy of the documents clarifying the status, such as resident permit, temporary residence permit, student or work visa enclosed to the request.

*The degree of kinship must be confirmed by providing the appropriate certificates of the Office of civil registration or equivalent documents issued in foreign countries. In case of the grandparents or grandchildren requests two copies of appropriate certificates of the Office of civil registration or equivalent documents issued in foreign countries that confirm the lineal consanguinity of the persons in question must be provided. It is possible to apply for a multiple-entry visa (spouses and children under 21 years old);

The date of issue of the marriage certificates, issued by the Italian authorities, must not be earlier than six months.

The birth certificate must indicate the names of both parents.

Please note! Russian citizens can invite their close relatives – foreigner citizens only on the basis of invitation issued by the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal affairs of the Russian Federation

or on the basis of a personal application written by a citizen of the Russian Federation, addressed to the nearest Russian Consular office or Visa Application Centers of the Russian Federation in Italy (see the section – Visa for close relatives of citizens of the Russian Federation ).

The maximum validity period for single / double entry visas is 90 days.

In order to apply for a visa for foreign citizens – close relatives (spouses, parents (adoptive parents), children (adopted), spouses of children, full and half brothers and sisters, grandparents, grandchildren) of Russian citizens in order to enter the territory of the Russian Federation, one must submit: 

1. A personal application written by a citizen of the Russian Federation with a request for issuance of a visa to his/her close relative:

Application for a submission of documents in the Russia Visa Center in Rome

Application for a submission of documents in the Russia Visa Center in Milan

Application for a submission of documents in the Russia Visa Center in Genova

Application for a submission of documents in the Russia Visa Center in Palermo 

The presence of the Russian citizen’s relatives is not mandatory at the time of submission of the documents.

The application is filled in for each relative separately;

If a Russian citizen is on the territory of the Russian Federation, in order to obtain a visa, his close relative will need an original of the application certified by a Russian notary. The application can be written in any form and must contain the following information: last name, first name, patronymic, date of birth, passport number, registration address or address of the actual place of residence of a Russian citizen, as well as last name, first name, date of birth, citizenship, gender, passport number, number of entries, the purpose of visit, the requested period of visa, the place of intended residence of the invited foreigner and the city of visit.

A foreign citizen who is the parent of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation may be issued an ordinary private visa in accordance with part 3 of article 25.6 of the Federal Law of 15.08.1996 No. 114-FZ “On the procedure for leaving the Russian Federation and entering the Russian Federation” on the basis of a decision the head of a diplomatic mission or consular office of the Russian Federation, accepted at the request of the second parent – a citizen of the Russian Federation who is not officially married to him. In this case, in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of March 24, 2003 No. 167, in his application the Russian citizen confirms the guarantees of material, medical and housing support of the invited foreign citizen during his stay in the Russian Federation.

A similar procedure is applicable to foreign citizens – close relatives of minor citizens of the Russian Federation specified in Article 2 of the Federal Law of 15.08.1996 No. 114-FZ “On the procedure for leaving the Russian Federation and entering the Russian Federation”, provided that the statement on behalf of a minor Russian will be submitted by one of his parents – a citizen of the Russian Federation.

2. Valid Russian passport for foreign travel together with a copy thereof (only the first page with a photo and personal data);
3. A valid document issued by the Italian authorities, and a copy thereof, allowing the Russian citizen to stay legally in Italy (visa, residence permit, identity card).
4. The original and a copy of each document showing the family relationship between the Russian citizenship and the foreign relatives listed in the application. These documents, issued by the competent authorities of the Russian Federation or of the foreign Country, are the following: marriage certificate (visa application for spouse); birth or adoption certificate (visa application for minor child) and other documents.

In the case of applications from grandfathers, grandmothers, grandchildren and granddaughters – copies of two relevant certificates of the Civil Registry Office of the Russian Federation or similar documents issued as such in foreign countries, confirming the existence of a relationship between the mentioned persons in a straight line.

The date of issue of the birth and marriage certificates, issued by the Italian authorities, must not be earlier than six months.

The birth certificate must indicate the names of both parents.

When submitting the documents for a visa application for a child, a declaration made by both parents must be presented, together with copies of their passports, in which they state that their son/daughter does not have Russian citizenship and that they have not submitted an application to receive it.

5. Passport with no less than 2 empty pages for visas, valid for 6 months from the visa expiry date – the original;
6. Visa application form filled in on the website kdmid.ru , printed and signed personally by the applicant – the original;

When choosing the location where you will be applying for your visa, it is necessary to indicate the Visa Center where you are planning to submit the documents.

At the Visa Application Center you can use the service of filling in a visa application form (the presence of the applicant is required).

7. Colour photography according to the photo specifications – the original.

At the Russian visa center in Rome or Milan you may ask for the additional service “Express Photo” (the service is not available for small children);

8. Medical insurance policy valid on the territory of Russian Federation that covers the entire duration of the visa, except for the mutual insurance cases.

Please note! Medical insurance policy must contain:

– contract date;

– policy number;

– first name, last name and father’s name of a policy holder, the date of birth;

– details of the insurer;

– the validity period of the policy must cover the entire duration of the visa and guarantee a minimum coverage of medical and medical transportation costs in the amount of EUR 30,000;

– list of medical and medical transportation services including repatriation of remains;

– coverage territory – the whole world or the Russian Federation; Europe, including Russia;

– the signature and seal of the insurer.

Insurance policies, letters of confirmation from insurance organizations not containing the above-mentioned information, set forms with stamps of the insurance companies and other insurance documents not fulfilling the indicated requirements are not considered.

9. Power of Attorney (in case of submitting documents/collecting passport with ready visa by a third party);

Please note! If you are not a citizen of Italy, you must also submit:

a) a permit for a continuous stay in Italy for more than 90 days for citizens of the following countries: Albania, Bahrain, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Georgia, Haiti, Ireland, Japan, Lesotho, Libya, Macedonia, Mali, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Republic of Korea, Republic of South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Venezuela.

According to the national legislation of Italy, a residence permit issued based on a corresponding visa serves as a document based on which a foreign citizen may continuously stay in the country for more than 90 days.

b) Italy Permanent Resident Card (Permesso di soggiorno per soggiornanti di lungo periodo) for the citizens of the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Chad, China, DPRK, Ethiopia, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Vietnam.

c) In connection with the current restrictions on entry into the Russian Federation in accordance with paragraph 4 of paragraph 5 of the Order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated June 28, 2021 No. 1745-r, for third-countries citizens or stateless persons, the posession of an Italian residence permit is a prerequisite for obtaining visas, EU citizens are also required to prove their right to reside permanently in Italy.

Validity term of visa:

single or double entry up to 90 days – the visa processing time is 6-8 working days from the date of acceptance of documents.

multiple entry up to one year without limiting the period of stay on the territory of the Russian Federation  – the visa processing time is 12 working days from the date of acceptance of documents.

ATTENTION: In the case of issuing a multiple entry ordinary private visa for a period of more than 3 months, the above set of documents must be accompanied by a certificate confirming that the foreign citizen has no HIV infection (excluding the spouse, children (including adopted children) and parents (including adoptive). In this case, the insurance policy must cover the period of the first entry of the foreigner (in this case, tickets confirming the dates of the first trip are required), and in cases where the date of departure of a foreigner from the Russian Federation has not been determined – at least 90 days from the date of commencement of the visa.

A multiple entry private visa can be obtained by citizens of any state, including those with whom agreements have been concluded on visa-free travel for up to 90 days.

Please note! When making an appointment for issuing visas for foreign citizens – close relatives of citizens of the Russian Federation – it is necessary to enter the data of the person for whom is required a visa (not a citizen of Russia) into the system, even if his close relative, a citizen of Russia, submits his documents. At the same time, the presence of the foreign citizen himself is optional when submitting documents.

For the all categories of citizens

Before applying, we strongly recommend that you clearly understand the purpose of the trip.

Please note that the Visa Application Centre can help you throughout the visa application process but cannot advise choosing a visa category. The decision to issue or refuse the visa is the exclusive prerogative of the Diplomatic Missions of the Russian Federation in Italy.

Our service packages at the Visa Application Centre include the following:

• Review the documents in accordance with requirements, visa category, insurance, invitation and other necessary additional documents, depending on the purpose of the trip.
• Fill out / check the submission form.
• Photo service as per visa requirements. (*this service is available in Rome and Milan only).
• Assessment of visa processing times and the size of consular fees.
• Submission of your documents to the consulate.
• Passport/visa collection from the consulate.
• Courier delivery.

* The standard and express package fees are charged in addition to the consular fee provided below.

**Additional services outside the package are paid separately.