Russian visa for citizens of New Zealand
Though our countries are quite far away, citizens of New Zealand at times need to visit Russia as tourists, guests of Russian relatives and friends, on a business trip or even for work or studies. There exist several visa types that will allow such visits.
Do citizens of New Zealand require a visa to Russia?
Yes, they do.
Even though, the idea of applying for a visa can sound pretty challenging, we’ll help you go through the process with a simple step-by-step guide. Read on to know what visa you need, which documents to collect, when and how to apply, how much and how long it will take.
Step 1. Choose the correct Russian visa type
Think about the purpose of your trip, its duration, reasons for your journey and determine which visa type you’ll need.
Russian visa types overview:
| 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 New Zealanders yet | short tourist, business or humanitarian visits |
Russian Tourist visa for New Zealanders
Duration of visit: up to 30 days.
Number of entries: single, double
Purpose of traveling:
- Sightseeing and excursions
- Going to cultural events, festivals, concerts, exhibitions etc.
- Driving/cycling/hiking independently through the country (Auto tourism)
- 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.
Russian Private Visa for New Zealanders
Duration of visit: up to 90 days
Number of entries: single, double
Purpose of traveling:
- Short guest visits to your Russian relatives and friends
Basis for visa – invitation provided by the Russian MIA (Ministry of Internal Affairs – department if Immigration) following a request of the Russian host.
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 New Zealanders
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)
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 New Zealanders
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, multiple
Purpose of traveling:
- Studying at a Russian academic institution
Basis for visa: Official invitation issued by the MIA of Russian upon a request of the Russian educational institution.
Russian Work visa for New Zealanders
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:
- Temporary paid work for a Russian employer
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 New Zealanders
Duration of stay: if you cross Russia by air you can stay up to 3 days
Number of entries: single
Reasons for traveling:
- Traveling through Russia without staying
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. Prepare documents for your visa application
When you have chosen the appropriate visa type, it’s time to prepare the required documents for your visa application. The list you’ll find below contains the standard documents needed to apply for a Russian visa. Bear in mind, that your passport will have to stay at the consulate during the entire process.
- National passport in original valid for at least 6 more months after the planned exit from Russia, containing minimum 2 blank visa pages.
- Appropriate visa support document.
For tourist or business visas we can supply you with the required visa support document: Visando visa support
For the rest of visa types, contact your Russian host and ask them to provide you with the necessary document
- Filled in online application form. Find it at visa.kdmid.ru, complete the fields, print on both sides of the paper, sign and date; strictly inside the marked area glue your recent color photo. See photo requirements here: Photo for the Russian visa
- HIV certificate in original is required for applicants of Student/Work visa, intending to stay over 90 days in Russia. Have your doctor sign and date it. The certificate is valid 3 months since the date of issuance.
Step 3. Apply for a visa at the Russian Consular Section
Once you have everything prepared, you can apply for a visa. Remember, the Consulates normally don’t accept applications submitted earlier than 3 months before the trip.
New Zealanders can apply for a Russia visa at:
- Consular Section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Wellington in person or by post
If you want to apply in person, you can do so on working days until 12.30 p.m. only
If you choose to apply by post, pack all your documents into an envelope and address to:
PO Box 17 262, Karori, Wellington, New Zealand.
If you want your passport delivered back with courier, include an empty return envelope – self-addressed and prepaid.
Visa fee
Along with your documents, you should submit the visa fee, which is non-refundable and is paid for the processing of your documents by the Consular officers.
Visa fee amounts to
| visa type | standard processing in 10 working days | urgent processing in 3 working days |
| single entry | 120 NZD | 240 NZD |
| double entry | 195 NZD | 390 NZD |
| multiple entry | 360 NZD | 720 NZD |
If you apply by post, processing might take 14 working days – standard, or 4 working days – urgent.
Visa fees are paid by a bank transfer payable to the Embassy of the Russian Federation in New Zealand. If you personally submit your documents you can also pay by a debit card EFTPOS or a bank cheque. Personal cheques or cash aren’t accepted.
Step 4. Get your passport back and check your visa
Once you receive your passport back, it’s recommendable that you carefully check all information for mistakes. In case you spot something is wrong, apply for correction prior to your trip. The information displayed on the visa stamp is the following:
If everything is fine, start packing your bags and get ready for your trip.
Step 5. Arrive to Russia and get two more documents
Finally you’ve arrived to Russia! There still two more documents you’ll need to obtain when in Russia:
- Migration Card
- Registration
You will be handed a Migration Card on board the plane by flight attendants, or at border points by the immigration officers. You’ll be requested to fill both parts of this document with identical information in block letters in pen, in Russian or English. Give your passport details, dates of trip and inviting company, nothing complicated. Immigration officer will stamp the document and give you one part of it. Carry the migration card always with you and return at migration control when you leave Russia.
You will require Registration if your stay in Russia will last over 7 working days. It’s normally provided by the hotel where you stay, or by the owner of the apartment. I suggest you contacting the owner and making sure he’ll be able to have you registered at the local post or police office. Airbnb owners normally charge some extras for this service. Carry your registration with you during your visit. Remember that it should be made during the first 7 business days of your stay.
I hope that this article has given you a new insight on the whole visa application process, helped find the answers to your questions, and certainly obtain your Russian visa. If you are still unsure of how to start your Russian trip, don’t hesitate to contact us by email and ask your questions.
Have a happy visa application experience and enjoy your stay in Russia!
