Russian visa for citizens of New Zealand

Published by Mike Lomberg June 11, 2020
Passport cover of a New Zealander

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 typesPeriod of stayTravel purpose
Tourist visa30 daystourism and leisure
Private visa90 daysprivate guest visits. Not recommendable: see why here
Business visa30 -90 days (a visa can be valid for 1 year)
conducting business in Russia, looking for partners, negotiating, investing etc.
Transit visa3 -10 dayscrossing Russian territory on your way to another country
Student visa90 days and abovestudying a course in a Russian school or university
Work visa90 days and aboveworking under contract for a Russian employer
Electronic visa8 daysNot available for New Zealanders yetshort 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: 

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:

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:

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: 

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: 

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: 

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.

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

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:

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 typestandard processing in 10 working daysurgent processing in 3 working days
single entry120 NZD240 NZD
double entry195 NZD390 NZD
multiple entry360 NZD720 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:

Russian visa stamp info

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: 

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.

Sample of a Russian migration card

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.

Sample of a Russian registration

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!

Russian folk festival of pancakes in early spring