How to get a Russian Federation visa from Senegal

• The tourist visa is issued to foreigners visiting Russia for tourist purposes such as relaxation, recreation, sightseeing and holidays.
• Holders of the tourist visa can also visit friends and family members living in Russia.
• Holders of a tourist visa cannot partake in any form of business activity or take up courses to study during the stay in Russia.
• Russia visa application form that is correctly filled and signed by the applicant is required.
• Senegal passport should be valid for 6 months after the required period of stay in Russia.
• The passport should have 2 blank pages for the entry/visa stamp.
• Passport photographs taken against a white background is required.
• Travel itinerary showing dates of entry and exit from Russia.
• An invitation letter from the host in Russia is required.
• The invitation letter must clearly state the relationship with the applicant, duration of stay and purpose of visit.
• The letter of invitation must state the address and contact information of the host.
• The host could either be a family member, friend or tour organization in Russia.
• Receipt of successfully paid tour fee should be attached to the letter of invitation from the tour organization in Russia.
• The address and contact information of the tour organization must also be clearly stated in the letter of invitation from the tour organization in Russia.
• Bank statements showing proof of sufficient funds are required.
• Applicants with a tourist visa are not allowed or permitted to work in Russia.

• The business visa is issued to foreigners visiting Russia for business meeting such as attending business meetings and conferences, negotiating and signing contracts and getting involved in trade fairs with other business partners or companies in Russia.
• Applicants are required to submit a correctly filled and signed Russia visa application form.
• An original Senegal passport valid for at least 6 months beyond stay in Russia.
• The passport should have at least 2 blank pages for the Russian visa stamp.
• 2 identical passport photograph taken against a white background is required and must be taken within the last three months.
• Travel itinerary showing travel details dates of arrival and departure from Russia.
• An invitation letter from the inviting/host company introducing the applicant and stating the duration and purpose of visit to Russia is required.
• The letter of invitation must clearly state the nature of the business to be conducted in Russia, address and contact information of the host company.
• The company/organization in Russia must be registered under the government of Russia. A certificate that shows proof of registration is required.
• A business cover letter from the sending company in Senegal indicating the applicant's position held in the company and duration of the business leave.
• The letter must also indicate that the applicant’s employer is aware of the business leave and stating that the applicants have good morals while in Senegal.
• If should be clearly stated in the required letters if the ending or inviting company will be financially responsible for the applicant for the whole duration of stay.
• An original bank statement or payslip showing proof of sufficient funds while in Russia.
• A copy of a signed police report showing no record of criminal activity in Senegal.

Russia is a safe country, especially if you are travelling as a tourist to large cities (such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, etc.) or if you are making the Trans-Siberian route. However, there are a number of risk areas in Russia, it is advisable not to travel to the border with Ukraine.

You can enter/leave Russia on any date within the visa period but overstay is a serious violation and in case of overstay leaving the country could be much more troublesome than entering it. If one overstay he will be stopped at the passport control gates and will be delayed in Russia for some paperwork (formal extending of visa period) and penalty fees.