Russian visa for citizens of China
Citizens of China are quite active travelers, and they often come to Russia on various purposes from tourism to work and studies. If you have decided to travel to Russia too, be aware that Chinese citizens require an entry visa.
Do Chinese citizens need a visa to Russia?
Yes, they do.
If you want to avoid unnecessary expenses and get your Russian visa by yourself, read on and find out how to do it in a fast and economical way.
Step 1. Identify which visa type will suit you best
There exist several types of Russian visas. Choose among them the one, which will better suit your travel purposes.
| Visa types | Period of stay | Travel purpose |
| Tourist visa | 30 days | tourism and leisure |
| Private visa | 90 days | private guest visits. Not recommendable: see why here |
| Business visa | 30 -90 days (a visa can be valid for 1 year) | conducting business in Russia, looking for partners, negotiating, investing etc. |
| Transit visa | 3 -10 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 daysNot available for Chinese yet | short tourist, business or humanitarian visits |
Russian Tourist visa for Chinese citizens
Duration of visit: short-term stay up to 30 days.
Number of entries: single, double
Purpose of traveling:
- Sightseeing, excursions and tours
- Going to cultural events, festivals, concerts, exhibitions etc.
- Driving/cycling/hiking independently through the country (Auto tourism)
- hunting on the designated territories within the stipulated period (Tourism hunting)
- Coming for short medical examinations, consultations (Aim tourism)
- Attending brief business events (Aim tourism)
Basis for visa: a specialized tourist confirmation, supplied by a registered Russian travel operator; and a contract on rendering tourist services from the same travel agency
Russian Private Visa for Chinese citizens
Duration of visit: up to 90 days
Number of entries: single, double
Purpose of traveling:
- Short guest visits to your Russian relatives and friends
- visiting burial places in Russia
- urgent treatment
- serious illness or death of close relative
- joint entry to Russia with a spouse or minor relative who is a Russian citizen
Basis for visa – invitation provided by the Russian MIA (Ministry of Internal Affairs – department if Immigration) following a request of the Russian host.
For the joint entry case or urgent treatment/death or serious illness of close relatives- a petition addressed directly to the Ambassador of the RF or the Consul General is enough.
If your Russian host is unable to supply you with the required invitation, consider coming on a standard tourist visa to meet up your family.
Russian Business and Humanitarian visa for Chinese citizens
Duration of stay: no longer than 90 days out of 180. A visa can be issued for 1 year.
Number of entries: single, double, multiple
Purpose of traveling:
- Carrying out negotiations with Russian partners
- Attending business meetings, fairs, exhibitions and other events
- Signing contracts, agreements, purchasing goods and services for business, investing
- Providing maintenance support work (Technical Maintenance sub-purpose)
- Carrying out short-term commercial activities (Commercial sub-purpose)
- Establishing or renewing cultural, sports, socio-political, religious, charity ties (Humanitarian type)
- As a member of crew of a road, air or marine vehicle (crew member)
- As a journalist, reporter etc. (mass media sub-purpose) etc.
Basis for visa: Official invitation arranged by the inviting company via the MIA of Russia; or a Telex directive supplied by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia following a request from the Russian host company
Russian Study Visa for Chinese citizens
Duration of visit:
90 days and beyond. Initially, a visa is issued for 90 days, but can be prolonged by the educational establishment on the territory of Russia, if necessary.
Number of entries: single, double, multiple
Purpose of traveling:
- Studying at a Russian academic institution
- Obtaining professional training
- Making research
Basis for visa: Official invitation issued by the MIA or a telex from the MFA of Russia upon a request of the Russian educational institution.
Russian Work visa for the Chinese citizens
Duration of visit:
90 days and beyond under your civil labour contract. A visa can be issued for 90 days or for 3 years for Highly Qualified Experts. Both can be extended on the territory of Russia.
Number of entries: single, multiple
Purpose of traveling:
- foreign employee working under a paid contract in Russia
- Teaching at a Russian educational institution
Basis for visa: official invitation supplied by the MIA of Russia upon request of the Russian employing company (presented in paper original only).
Russian Transit Visa for Chinese citizens
Duration of stay: if you pass through the Russian territory by air you can stay up to 3 days, if by road or railroad – up to 10 days
Number of entries: single, double (a period between two transits shouldn’t exceed 30 days)
Reasons for traveling:
- Traveling through Russia without staying to another country
Basis for visa: copies of purchased tickets for entry and departure from Russia
Important: Those who make flight connections without the need to leave transit zone, do not need visas. Please check with your airlines whether you require transit visa to make your connection.
Important: Passengers following to Belarus or Kazakhstan with connection in Russia require transit visa
Step 2. Collect documents for your visa application
If your trip is already in less than 3 months, you can start visa procedures by first collecting the documents, and then applying them for your visa. The list of documents you’ll need includes:
- Original valid passport and a copy of its bio page. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months more after the expected exit from Russia, and have minimum 2 blank pages for a visa stamp
- Visa support document in copies or originals. Please, refer to visa types to see the documents you’ll need. Ask your Russian host to provide you with the necessary visa support.
- Printed out visa form filled on visa.kdmid.ru Don’t forget to print the form on both sides of paper, sign and date. In the marked area glue your recent color photo of size 3.5×4.5. See photo requirements here: Russian visa photo requirements
- For the applicants of Work/Student visa a certificate of AIDS/HIV test is required. The result should be negative, the certificate is submitted in original within 3 months after the test has been taken.
- For transit visa applicants purchased tickets for the entry/departure from Russia are required
Step 3. Apply for a visa in China
Chinese citizens staying in another country should find the Russian embassy there and find out how to apply for a visa from that country. If you are in China you can apply at:
- Consular office of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in China, Beijing by booking prior appointment on the website http://beijing.kdmid.ru/queue-en/
- Consulate General in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shenyang, Shanghai, Guangzhou by booking prior appointments on the websites of the corresponding consulate
- Russian visa centers located in the same cities without prior appointment
Remember, Russian visa centers have been created to facilitate the visa process and make submission more convenient for the applicants. However, applying at the visa center you need to pay their service charge.
Find contacts here: Russian Consulates and Embassies
When you apply for a visa you should also pay the visa fees. They are paid at the moment of submission of documents and are non-refundable in case of rejection.
Consular fee:
| Visa type | Standard processing in 4-20 days | Urgent processing in 3 days |
| Single entry | 350 RMB | 560 RMB |
| Double entry | 700 RMB | 910 RMB |
| Multiple entry | 1050 RMB | 1260 RMB |
Service fee charged by the Visa center: 266 RMB per person
Courier charge for return delivery of your passport by the Visa center: 60 RMB per passport.
Step 4. Collect your passport and examine your Russian visa stamp
When the day come, collect your passport from the consulate or visa center, unless you paid for courier return delivery.
Carefully look at the visa stamp in your passport. In case you notice any mistakes, apply for correction. The stamp bear the following info:
If all information is correct, you can get ready for your journey.
Step 5. Final documents to get in Russia
Russia
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.
Hope my article has helped you get your Russian visa. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us by email.
Keep on traveling and explore Russia!
