How to get a Russian Federation visa from Kenya

• The Russia tourist visa is issued to foreigners planning to visit Russia for relaxation and recreation.
• The visa is a single-entry visa valid for 30 days.
• If you are travelling to Russia via a cruise ship, you do not need a visa. However, a proof of travel confirmation from a Russian travel company is needed to go ashore.
• Kenyans who aim to make a private visit to someone in the country are also eligible for this visa.
• The visa does not offer work or study authorization.
• An invitation from a host residing in Russia or from a Russian organization is needed. If invited by an organization, it is necessary that they must have been registered with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• A cover letter which has the name of the applicant the same way it appears on the passport should be submitted. This letter should also contain other details about the intended trip such as date of departure to and from Russia and a list of all the cities to be visited.
• All tourist visa applicants should be ready to present the following documents:
• An original passport with at least 2 blank visa-designated pages (passport must be valid for at least 6 months after intended departure date from Russia).
• ONE 35mm x 45 mm passport-size photo signed on the back.
• If traveling as a tour group or cruise passenger, a letter from the tour company or cruise line confirming itinerary should be submitted.
• If travelling as an individual, a confirmation of hotel arrangements from an authorized Russian travel company, or directly from a Russian hotel, should be presented.
• All your payments during the visa application process should be made by money order or cashier’s check (not cash).
• Vaccinations against measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis are necessary before travel to Russia.
• It is advisable to exchange your money in advance before travelling to Russia as functional exchange outlets are sometimes hard to find in the country.

• The Russia business visa allows Kenyan travelers to partake in business activities while in Russia.
• Business visas can be:
  • single- or double-entry - valid for up to 3 months.
  • multiple-entry - valid for up to 1 year or up to 3 years in some cases.
• The number of entries allowed depends on the applicant's specific travel conditions.
• According to Russian law, the complete term of stay in Russia on a business visa should not exceed 90 days on a single visit within each 180 days.
• Business visas can be extended only in exceptional cases (such as a serious illness). Note that an extension can only be granted on the request of your visa sponsor/host.
  
• Each issued visa must be approved by either the Interior Ministry of the Russian Federation or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be fully valid.
• Your employer in Kenya should provide a letter which states that he or she is aware of your business leave. The position you hold in the company and how long you have been employed for should also be stated in the letter.
• Foreigners coming to Russia as official speakers at a conference will also need to secure a business visa.
• Business travelers to Russia should be able to fully demonstrate they have enough money to comfortably spend £100 daily for their entire stay in the Russian Federation.
• An HIV test is usually required during the business visa application process.
• It might take up to 20 working days for your Russian business visa application to be ready.
  

• The Russian student visa enables a Kenya citizen to take up a program of study in one of the institutions of learning in Russia.
• The Russian student visa is initially valid for 90 days but can be extended to up to one year to cover the duration of the study.
• To extend your visa, you have to apply to the local division of the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation (FMS of Russia).
  
• Before applying for this visa, ensure that you have been offered admission to the school of your choice in Russia.
• The following documents are required during the visa application process:
• An official letter from the Russian university, institute or college confirming applicant has been admitted and is allowed to attend lectures.
• Previous educational certificates from past institutions attended.
• Proof that tuition fees has been paid.
• A copy of HIV test result which must be certified at the local office of the secretary of your state and translated into Russian.
• Student visa Applicants should have at least 325,425 RUB (USD 5,000) per year to cover all stay expenses in Russia.
  
• If you intend to work part-time as a student, you will require a work permit from the Federal Migration Service (FMS). The cost of a work permit for those on a Russian study visa is RUB 3,500 (USD 60).
  
• Applicants are expected to be of perfect health before coming into Russia. A certified document that shows this must be presented.

• With this visa, Kenyans can make stopovers in Russia.
• This visa allows foreigners to transit through Russia to their destination country.
• Flight ticket to the destination country is required.
• You are also required to have the visa of your destination country.
• The visa is issued for 72 hours if you traveling by air, or for up to 10 days if using other means of transportation.
• Holders of this visa are not allowed to work or study while they are in the country.
• Your payment for this visa should be made by money order or cashier’s check (not cash).
• Minors should ensure they have an unabridged original copy of their birth certificate.
  
• Transit visas for Russia cannot be extended.

The most famous cities in Russia are Moscow and St. Petersburg.

A few years ago, traveling to Russia was quite expensive, especially to big cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. However, after the strong devaluation of the ruble, traveling to Russia has become affordable.

In general, Russia is a safe country, especially if you are traveling as a tourist to large cities.