Russian visa for citizens of Singapore
Russia attracts travelers from Singapore with a variety of opportunities, whether you are coming as tourists, students, employees, or attending cultural or business events, Russia has a lot to see and do. First of all, there’s a question of how you can legally enter Russian borders.
Do citizens of Singapore need a visa to Russia?
Yes, they do.
Only holders of official and diplomatic passports enjoy a 90-days visa free entry to Russia. The rest of travelers should obtain a visa prior to their trip. So, if you are looking for a Russian visa and don’t know where and how to get it, you’ll find answers to your questions in this article. Read on a simple step-by-step guide to your Russian visa.
Step 1. Learn which visa type you need and plan your travel dates
Choose among the main types of Russian visa below the one that suits you best.
| 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 max) | 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 days | short tourist, business or humanitarian visits |
Russian Tourist visa for Singaporeans
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: Russian registered tour operator. Order the required toruist confirmation from us here: Get Tourist Confirmation
Russian Private visa for Singaporeans
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 solicits an invitation at the MIA of Russia.
Russian Business visa for Singaporeans
Stay in Russia for: maximum 90 days out of each 180. A visa can be valid for 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: A Russian organization, or MIA of Russia upon request of the host Russian company, or a Russian MFA following a request of the host company.
Order your business support from us here: Get Business invitation
Russian Transit visa for Singaporeans
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
Russian Student visa for Singaporeans
Stay in Russia for: 90 days and longer. A student visa can be extended on the territory of Russia.
Number of entries: single, double, multiple
Travel purpose: studying at a Russian university or attending short-term courses
You should be invited by: A Russian School or University via the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia
Russian Work visa for Singaporeans
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, double, multiple
Travel purpose: paid employment
You should be invited by: your Russian employer via the MIA of Russia
Russian Electronic visa for Singaporeans
Stay in Russia for: max 8 days out of 30
Number of entries: single
Travel purpose: tourism and leisure activities, or brief business or humanitarian visits to Russia
You should fill the application for e-visa on kdmid website 4 days before your entry and receive the approval. When on the border, display the printed e-visa and enter one of the three regions:
- Saint Petersburg and Leningrad region
- Kaliningrad and Kaliningrad region
- Vladivostok and the Far East
Enter and leave through the same border point. Unfortunately, you cannot visit any other regions of Russia on e-visa yet. If you want to travel more freely get yourself a regular tourist visa instead.
To order professional help with filling the E-visa form, contact us here: Contact Visando
Step 2. Gather all required documents for your visa
Before you can apply for your visa, it’s necessary to collect a set of documents, which includes:
- National passport in original, expiring at least 6 months after the visa expiry date, with 2 blank visa pages in it. And a photocopy of the bio-page.
- Completed application form at the website visa.kdmid.ru. It’s filled in, printed on both sides, signed and dated. In the indicated space of the form you should glue your recent color photo 3.5×4.5. Read more on photo specifications here: https://visando.com/russian-visa-photo-specifications/ Ensure that the travel dates indicated in the form are within the dates of your invitation
- Visa support/ Invitation. See the invitation types described above and ask your Russian host to provide you with one.
- When applying for Work and Student visas you should include an HIV-certificate. Take it at any local clinic. The test should be taken via blood sample not earlier than 3 months before the application. The result should be negative.
Step 3. Apply your documents for a Russian visa
In 3 months before your trip you can already apply for your visa, you cannot do it earlier though, as the consulates doesn’t accept applications too early. Remember that you need to apply in Singapore, you cannot get visa on the Russian border.
Citizens of Singapore can apply at:
- Consular Section of the Russian Embassy in Singapore in person upon prior appointment at: https://q.midpass.ru/
- Russian Visa Center VFS Global in Singapore with or without prior appointment
Although, the choice is up to you, I’d recommend you applying through the visa center, because they’ll check all your documents and process them more efficiently. They were created specifically to facilitate the visa process for the Consulate.
Along with your application you’ll need to pay visa fees. Find Consular fees in the table below:
| Visa type | Standard processing fee (4-20 working days) | Express processing fee (1-3 working days) |
| Single entry | 126 SGD | 252 SGD |
| Double entry | 202 SGD | 403 SGD |
| Multiple entry | 378 SGD | 756 SGD |
At the Visa Center you’ll also be requested to pay the service charge of 42 SGD.
Mind that all visa fees are non-refundable and are paid directly during the submission of documents. At the visa center you can also order a variety of additional services like photocopies, return courier, application correction etc.
Step 4. Collect your passport and check your visa
When you get your passport back, be it with courier if you paid for the service or in person at the place of application, be careful to check your Russian visa stamp. It should carry the following information:
If you see any mistakes, apply for correction. If everything is fine, start preparing your bags and get ready for the trip.
Step 5. Obtain migration card and get registered in Russia
The last 2 documents for you to get when in Russia will be:
- Migration card
- Registration
A migration card is given to foreign nationals arriving to Russia at migration control points. It has two identical parts, one of which is surrendered to the immigration officer. You’ll need to write on it the details of your trip, dates of travel, places of intended stay. After you have it stamped by the officer, keep the second part of the card with you, and don’t lose it. You’ll have to return it back when leaving Russia.
You’ll need to get registered upon arrival, if you stay longer than 7 working days in Russia.
If you stay in a hotel, you’ll get registered by the hotel manager. If you stay with your Russian friends, ask the owner of the apartment to register you at the local post or police office during the first 7 days after your arrival. Carry your registration with you. You might need to show it when returning from Russia.
I’m sure our guide will help you get your Russian visa quickly and economically! If you need more help or advice, contact us by email.
Enjoy your trip to the country full of wonderful surprises!
