How to get a Russian Federation visa from Singapore

• The Russian tourist visa is available to Singaporeans looking to travel the Russian Federation for tourism or personal visitation purposes.
• Private visit visas are required for applicants visiting family members or friends living in Russia. A private visit visa will allow you to enter the Federation of Russia and remain there for up to 90 days.
• Applicants are required to provide an invitation letter. Your host will apply for an official invitation letter also known as ‘izveshchenie’.
• If you are traveling to The Russian Federation for tourism purposes, you should have a letter from the tour organizers or tourism agency.
• Travelers are allowed to enter into the territory of Russia through the border-crossing points open to international passenger traffic.
• A letter from your current employer is required. This serves as proof that you intend to return to Singapore at the expiration of your Russian visa.
• Visitors are required to declare amounts of $10,000 or more upon entry.
• A recently acquired bank statement must be provided.
• This account statement should show that you are capable of providing for yourself while you are in Russia for tourism, business or a private visit.
• An HIV/AIDS certificate that is not more than 3 months old should be provided by the applicant.
• Receipt showing that you have paid for the services of a tour guide or a tourism agency if you are traveling for tourism purposes must be provided.
• When applying for a visa for someone under 18, you will need to include their birth certificate and a photocopy of their parent’s international passport.
• Applicants must submit proof of valid/acceptable travel medical insurance when applying for Russia tourist visa. The insurance policy must cover the entire duration of your trip.
• A proof of hotel reservation must be provided, this is important if you do not have a host in Russia who will accommodate you.

• Singaporeans traveling to The Russian Federation for business purposes can apply for a business visa.
• There are two types of business visa:
  • 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 Singapore 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.
• Visitors 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 cover their entire stay in the Russian Federation.
• An HIV test is usually required during the business visa application process.

• The Russian student is available to Singaporeans traveling to Russia for study purposes.
• 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.

• The Russian work visa is issued to Singaporeans traveling to Russia for work purposes.
• Before getting a work visa to Russia, a foreign citizen must wait for a work invitation from a particular company.The name of the company will be indicated in the visa, so a foreign citizen will have the right to work only there.
• In order to issue a work invitation to a foreigner, an employer must:
  
• Apply for a vacancy in the Employment Centre or get a quota in the Department of Labour and Employment.
• Obtain a permit to employ foreign labour.
• Apply for a work permit on behalf of the foreigner.
• Submit documents for a work invitation.
• Applicants are required to submit a copy of their necessary qualification certificates.
• A medical certificate confirming absence of diseases must be provided.
• You are required to register your arrival with the local GUVM office within 7 days. This will often be done by your employer but it’s worth checking to ensure this is done.
• Failure to register with the GUVM can result in a fine and in some cases expulsion from Russia.
• Applicants are required to submit a letter written and signed by their employer. It should have the following:
• Details about your destinations, dates, and purpose of the visit.
• Name of the inviting organization and contact details of the responsible person in Russia.
• It should also make clear who will take financial responsibility for the trip.
• An HIV Test (AIDS) Certificate must be provided. This test must be taken within the last three months before the application. It should still be valid for 15- 30 days on the day of your application.
• A health insurance policy document is required. The documents must contain the following:
• Your full name.
• The date when the agreement was signed.
• The policy number and full details of the insurer.
• The dates of validity.
• There are three types of Russian work permit:
• Standard Russian Work Permit- This is the general Russian work permit issued to foreigners taking up employment in Russia. It is valid for the length of the employment contract but you will need to renew your Russian work visa yearly.
• Russian Work Permit for Highly Qualified Professionals- This is a special Russian work permit for those in skilled professions who gain employment with a special salary.
• Work Patent for CIS Nationals- If you are a citizen of a CIS country that doesn’t need a visa to enter Russia, you don’t need to have either a Russian work permit or a job to enter Russia for work purposes. All you need to do is to apply for a work patent from the local GUVM office in your region within 30 days of arrival into Russia.

In general, you can carry up to five kilos of animal and plant-based products per person. These include not only fruits, vegetables, cheese and sausages, but also nuts and berries. Sanctioned products can also be brought into the country for personal use.