How to get a Russian Federation visa from Somalia

• 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.
• Somalians who aim to make a private visit to someone in the country are also eligible for this visa.
• With a Russian tourist visa, you will not be allowed to work or study in any of their institute.
• 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.
• As an appl 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.
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• The Russia business visa allows Somalia 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 Somalia 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 15 working days for your Russian business visa application to be ready.

• With Russians transit visa, Somalians 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.

Generally, the type of visa that you may use mostly depends on the duration of your visit. However, a tourist or business visa cannot be used if:

you visit Russia in order to adopt a child (a specific adoption visa will be required)

you want to send a child to Russia with his/her Russian mother (a homestay visa will be required)

you want to stay in Russia more than 90 days (a student or work visa will be required)

In these cases invitations must be processed by the persons or entities you really plan to visit.

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.

Every Russian consulate has its own rules and may or may not allow you to apply in that country.