Russian visa for citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Russia more than welcomes citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to come on tourist, business, educational or work purposes. This country has an agreement with Russia on a 30-days visa free entry for tourists. However, how can a BiH citizen enter Russia for a longer term, or in case he/she has another reason for traveling apart from simple tourism? Read on and find out about different Russian visa types and the ways to obtain them.
Do BiH citizens need a visa to Russia?
- They don’t for 30 days tourist trips within 60 days period.
- They do for longer trips on private, business, humanitarian and other purposes.
Russian visa types available for BiH citizens
The following types are the main visas allowing foreign citizens to enter Russia:
| Visa types | Validity period | Travel purpose |
| Private visa | 90 days | private guest visits. Not recommendable: see why here |
| Business visa | 30 -90 days (up to 1 year max) | conducting business in Russia, looking for partners, negotiating, investing etc. |
| Transit visa | 3 -6 days | crossing Russian territory on your way to another country |
| Student visa | 90 days and above | studying a course in a Russian school or university |
| Work visa | 90 days and above | working under contract for a Russian employer |
| Electronic visa | 8 days Not Available for BiH citizens yet | short tourist, business or humanitarian visits |
Russian Private visa for BiH citizens
Duration of stay in Russia – 90 days max
Number of entries – single or double
Purpose of trip – visiting friends or relatives, citizens or permanent residents of Russia
Visa support: Invitation issued by MIA upon request of your Russian host
Russian Business visa for BiH citizens
Duration of stay in Russia – 90 days in each 180. A visa can be issued for up to 1 year.
Number of entries – single, double or multiple (to apply for multiple entry visa you should have previous Russian visas issued in the last year)
Purpose of trip:
– looking for business partners, negotiating, researching the market
– conducting trainings, maintenance work (sub-purpose Technical Maintenance)
– taking part in commercial activities in Russia (sub-purpose Commercial)
– driving cargo or passenger vehicle throughout Russia (sub-purpose Driver)
– flying aircraft (sub-purpose Crew Member)
– a child accompanying parents in a business trip (sub-purpose Family Member)
– taking part in sports, cultural, political, religious, charity, volunteer events, or supplying humanitarian aid (Humanitarian type)
Visa support: Invitation issued by MIA or MFA of Russia upon request of the Russian inviting company; or a written request on the letterhead of the inviting company
Russian Transit visa for BiH citizens
Duration of stay in Russia – 3 days max for single entry, 6 days max for double entry
Number of entries – single, double
Purpose of trip – crossing Russian territory following to another state.
Visa support: valid purchased tickets showing entrance/departure from Russia
Important: If you fly over Russia you don’t need a visa
If you make air connection without leaving transit zone you don’t need a visa
If you follow to Belarus or Kazakhstan making transit in Russia you need a transit visa
Russian Student visa for BiH citizens
Duration of stay in Russia – 90 days and longer. A visa is issued for 90 days, but can be extended in Russia depending on the duration of studies.
Number of entries – single, double or multiple
Purpose of trip – full time studies at a Russian educational institution; short-term courses
Visa support: Invitation by the MIA or MFA of Russia granted upon request of the Russian School or University
Russian Work visa for BiH citizens
Duration of stay in Russia – from 90 days and longer, depending on the civil labour contract terms. For Highly Qualified Experts a visa is issued for 3 years at once. This visa type can be extended in Russia.
Number of entries – single or multiple
Purpose of trip – full time work under a paid labour contract for a Russian employer
Visa support: original invitation granted by MIA of Russia upon request of an authorized Russian Employer.
Which documents you’ll need to get a Russian visa
If you have decided you need one of the visa types mentioned above, prepare the following list of documents for the application:
- Passport (international for traveling to Russia) with minimum 2 blank pages for visa and valid 6 months after the visa expiry date
- Visa support document. Order business visa support here: Get visa support with Visando
For other visa types contact your Russian host and ask to provide you with the required visa support document (invitation)
- Filled online and printed out visa application form. Find it at visa.kdmid.ru, print out, sign and date. Glue your recent color photo in the marked field. See photo specifications here: Russian visa photo requirements.
- Insurance policy issued by the company working under an agreement with Russian insurance companies (for the entire period of your trip to Russia).
- For work/student visa with stay over 90 days in Russia, get HIV-test and submit the certificate stating you are negative in original no later than 3 months after the test has been taken
- For transit visa prepare purchased tickets of entry/exit from Russia
- Copies of all documents listed above for all visa types
Where to apply for a visa and how much to pay for it
If you have prepared all documents and are ready to apply for a visa (you can do it not earlier than 3 months before your trip), you can submit your application at a Consular Department of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sarajevo.
Working hours:
Mon, Wed, Fri: 9:12 p.m.
You can primarily book an appointment by:
Phone: (+38733) 214 863, 668 147
E-mail: [email protected]
When applying for a visa it’s mandatory to pay the Consular fee for the processing of your documents.
| Visa type | Standard processing 4-20 working days | Expedited processing 3 working days |
| Single-entry | 136 BAM | 272 BAM |
| Double entry | 218 BAM | 435 BAM |
| Multiple entry | 240 BAM | 480 BAM |
When you pay the fee, you’ll be given a receipt, keep it and take with you when you come to collect your passport back. Remember, your passport will have to stay at the Consulate until the procedure is finished.
How should my visa look like
When the time of collecting your passport comes, you should arrive at the Consulate and showing your receipt and ID collect your passport with visa.
Carefully exam the visa stamp for any mistakes
If you find any discrepancies or mistakes, apply for correction. If everything is fine, start packing your bags. Take with you:
- Your passport with visa
- Insurance policy
- Invitation from Russia
- Hotel and other bookings
What is registration and migration card and where and how to get them
Coming to the Russian border you will have to pass several control points migration control among them. An officer will ask you to fill in the migration card (it can also be given out on board your plane, or found on the desks at the airport arrivals). This form is completed in pen with block letters in English or Russian. It has two identical parts and the one you give to the officer, while the other you keep and after your trip comes to an end – return on the border.
If you plan on staying in Russia over 7 working days, you’ll need to undergo such procedure as registration. Nothing to worry about, but as it is required by law, make sure the hotel which you booked provides you with one, or the owner of the apartment where you stay.
As both documents can be asked for by the police to prove your legal stay in Russia, it’s recommendable to carry them with you during the entire trip.
If you lose migration card – contact the local migration service office to get one. If you lose registration – ask your Russian host to get a duplicate for you.
Now you are fully equipped for your travel to Russia.
Enjoy your stay the best you can!
