Russian visa for citizens of Egypt
As frequently as Egypt welcomes Russian tourists, Russia also opens its doors to travelers from Egypt. They come on tourism, business, work or study, and other purposes. However, there still exists the visa regime between our countries.
Do Egyptian citizens need a visa to Russia?
Yes, they do.
How to go about the entire time-consuming visa application process? Which documents to collect and where to apply them? How much and how long it will take? We know you would want to get your Russian visa in the fastest and most economical way, and we are here to help with advice. In this article you’ll find a practical guide to your Russian visa. Let’s get started!
Step 1. Choose the correct visa type
Among different visa types you have to choose the one, that best suits your travel purposes, duration of your trip and the travel support document you are able to obtain from Russia. Read about the main Russian visa types and make your choice.
| Visa types | Validity period | 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 (up to 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 |
Russian Tourist visa for citizens of Egypt
Stay in Russia for: maximum 30 days
Number of entries: single, double
Travel purpose:
- sightseeing, excursions and tours
- attending concerts, festivals, fairs and exhibitions
- brief business visits or medical consultations (Aim Tourism)
- driving through Russia by cars, motorbikes, bikes (Auto-tourism)
- going on trans-siberian railway tour etc.
You should be invited by: a Russian registered tour operator, providing you with the necessary confirmation of the acceptance of a foreign tourist in Russia. Please note, the hotel where you’ll be staying must be fully prepaid and the check must be included as proof of payment, when you apply for this visa.
Russian Private visa for citizens of Egypt
Stay in Russia for: maximum 90 days
Number of entries: single, double
Travel purpose: visiting family or friends in Russia
You should be invited by: a Russian citizen or a legal resident, who obtains for you an official invitation at the MIA of Russia.
Russian Business visa for citizens of Egypt
Stay in Russia for: maximum 90 days out of each 180. A visa can be valid for up to 1 year.
Number of entries: single, double, multiple
Travel purpose:
– looking for new business contacts
– attending various meetings, conferences, negotiations
– investing into Russian business, purchasing goods and services, researching the market
– conducting trainings, maintenance work (sub-purpose Technical Maintenance)
– commercial activity (sub-purpose Commercial)
– driving cargo or passenger vehicle throughout Russia (sub-purpose Driver)
– taking part in events related to sports, culture, politics, religion, charity, volunteer programs, or supplying humanitarian aid (Humanitarian type)
You should be invited by: the MIA of Russia upon request of the host Russian company, or a Russian MFA following a request of the host company.
Russian Transit visa for citizens of Egypt
Stay in Russia for: maximum 3 days if you make flight connection, or 10 days for road trips.
Number of entries: single
Travel purpose: crossing Russia following to another country of destination.
You should have purchased tickets showing entry/exit from Russia
In these cases you can travel through Russia without a transit visa:
- If you fly directly over Russia on board the plane without making stops
- If you make a connection in a Russian airport without leaving the transit zone of the terminal
Russian Student visa for citizens of Egypt
Stay in Russia for: 90 days and longer. A student visa is issued for 90 days, but can be extended on the territory of Russia.
Number of entries: single, double
Travel purpose: studying at a Russian university, attending short-term courses, conducting research in Russia
You should be invited by: A Russian School or University via the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia or Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia (in the form of telex)
Russian Work visa for citizens of Egypt
Stay in Russia for: 90 days and longer. A work visa can be extended in Russia. A visa for a Highly Qualified Specialists is issued for 3 years at once.
Number of entries: single, multiple
Travel purpose: paid employment
You should be invited by: your Russian employer via the MIA of Russia. Invitation must be presented in paper original
Important: No other visa type can change its status into a work visa. To have the legal right to work in Russia, you must obtain the proper work visa in Egypt prior to your trip
Step 2. Collect the documents for your visa
When you choose the right visa type, you should prepare a list of corresponding documents for your visa application process. The process can be started not earlier than 3 months before your trip, and we recommend starting it not later than 1 month before your trip.
- An original passport valid minimum 6 months more after the visa expiry date, and having 2 blank visa pages.
- Russian visa support document – request it from your Russian host.
- Paid hotel booking for a tourist visa
- Purchased return tickets for a tourist and transit visa
- Fully completed online application form at visa.kdmid.ru. Print it, sign and date. Don’t make corrections on the printed document
- Two recent color photos 3.5×4.5. Read detailed photo specifications here: Russian visa photo requirements Glue one photo in the indicated area on your application form. Don’t use stapler or adhesive tape
- HIV-negative test certificate in original for applicants of work/student multiple entry visas. The certificate is valid for 3 months since the blood test date.
Please remember, that the Consular officer can ask for any additional documents when you submit your documents for a visa.
Step 3. Apply for your Russian visa in Egypt
Citizens of Egypt can apply for a Russian visa in:
- The Consular Department of the Russian Embassy in Cairo
- Consulate General in Alexandria
- Consulate General in Hurghada
The receiving hours for visa applicants are:
– Sunday – Tuesday – Thursday – All types of visas except tourist visas
– Wednesday – Tourist visas only
– Private Visa for family members – any working day
MONDAY: – non-visiting day
You can get an electronic ticket via the take-a-number-system only in the waiting room of the Consular Section without booking an appointment by the Internet.
09:30 – 11:30 (getting an electronic ticket of the queue)
Find the addresses on the website of the Russian embassy here: Russian Embassy in Cairo
When you apply for a visa you are required to pay the visa fees for the processing of your documents. See the quotes below:
| Vis type | Standard processing in 4-20 working days | Urgent processing in 1-3 working days |
| Private, Business, Humanitarian, Transit, Work, Student visas Single entry | 1400 E£ | 2800 E£ |
| Tourist visa single entry | 1400 E£ (only 22 working days processing!) | – |
| Private, Business, Humanitarian, Transit, Work, Student visas Double entry | 2240 E£ | 4480 E£ |
| Business, Humanitarian, Work visas Multiple entry | 4200 E£ | 8400 E£ |
Please keep the receipt given to you after you pay the visa fee. You’ll need it to collect your passport with visa back.
Step 4. Get your passport and check your visa
When you get your passport back, remember to carefully check what’s indicated in your visa, especially visa validity and number of entries.
If everything’s okay, you can pack your bags and get ready to travel. Don’t forget to take your passport, hotel bookings, return ticket and invitation with you.
Step 5. Arrive to Russia and get two more documents
After you have arrived to Russia, you’ll need to obtain two more documents for your stay:
- Migration Card
- Registration
The first is usually distributed by flight attendants on the plane, or handed by the immigration officer at control point. You’ll need to fill it with details of your trip – dates, places of stay etc. in Russian or English in block letters. It will be then stamped by the officer, and you’ll be given one part of the document to save. When you leave Russia, you’ll be asked to submit it back at the control.
Registration is another document proving your legal stay in Russia, which is normally made by the hotels where you stay, or by the owner of the apartment. A foreign individual staying over 7 working days in Russia needs to get registered at the post or police office in the district of his accommodation. Your presence isn’t necessary at this procedure. The owner of apartment can do it by himself bringing copies of your visa and migration card to the police or post office. Make sure you contact your Russian host in advance to ask for this service. Registration is not often checked, but it’s still recommended to have it.
Don’t forget that taking care of all documents will make your stay legal and help you enjoy it better without having any migration problems.
Stay safe and Travel to Russia!
