Visa to Russia for Hungarian citizens

A lot of travelers visit Russia every year on a variety of purposes from tourism and short-time vacations to business negotiations and official work for Russian employers. It provides a lot of opportunities for a wide range of visitors. However, there is a challenging moment of getting a Russian entry visa. 

Do Hungarians need a visa to travel to Russia?

• Yes, they do!

Although it may sound like a lot of headache involved in the process, you can get it on your own without any extra help, without the need to buy package tours or pay some sketchy agencies for their services. In this article you’ll find a comprehensible step-by-step guide to your Russian visa. And if you’ll still have questions left after reading it, our team will be always glad to consult you for free on any visa related issues.

Step 1. How to choose the correct visa type

First thing first, you’ll need to determine the purpose of your trip, and select the suitable travel dates. Also think about the number of entries you’ll need to make for your visit, and the person or organization which will be providing you with the required visa-support a.k.a. invitation to Russia. Read below on the main existing Russian visa types and choose the one for you:

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 5 years 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 HUNGARIAN CITIZENS

This type is for you:

• If you go on a tour or independently to do sightseeing, spend your vacations, visit the places of historical and cultural legacy

• If you are planning to stay not over 30 days

• If you are willing to enter Russia once or twice during your trip

• If you are invited by an authorized Russian tour operator 

RUSSIAN PRIVATE VISA FOR HUNGARIAN CITIZENS

This type is for you:

• If want to spend time visiting your Russian friends or relatives

• If you are planning to stay not over 90 days

• If you are willing to enter Russia once or twice during your trip

• If your Russian host can provide you with the official invitation by applying for it at the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA)

RUSSIAN BUSINESS AND HUMANITARIAN VISA FOR HUNGARIAN CITIZENS

This type is for you:

• If you go on a business trip to attend meetings, look for partners, sign agreements, visit exhibitions, seminars; or attend humanitarian events of political, religious, cultural, sports or other character.

• If you are planning to stay not over 90 days out of 180 days period. A visa itself can be issued for up to 5 years.

• If you are willing to enter Russia once, twice or multiple times

• If you are invited by an authorized Russian company, or have it obtain an invitation via MIA or MFA of Russia for you

RUSSIAN STUDENT VISA FOR HUNGARIAN CITIZENS

This type is for you:

• If you go to study in a Russian state or private school or university

• If you are planning to stay 90 days and over. A visa is initially issued for 90 days but can be extended in Russia if your course lasts longer

• If you are willing to enter Russia once, twice or multiple times

• If you are invited by an authorized Russian educational establishment via MIA of Russia

RUSSIAN WORK VISA FOR HUNGARIAN CITIZENS

This type is for you:

• If you will work for a Russian employer under an official labour contract

• If you are planning to stay 90 days and beyond. A visa is issued for 90 days with possible further extension in Russia or for 3 years for highly qualified experts.

• If you are willing to enter Russia once, twice or multiple times

• If you are invited by an authorized Russian legal entity through the MIA of Russia

RUSSIAN TRANSIT VISA FOR HUNGARIAN CITIZENS

This type is for you:

• If you will be making a connection in Russia on your way to another country and leave transit zone for this

• If you will be crossing the Russian territory on your way to another country by car or train
• You can ask for a transit visa for up to 3 days for air connections, and for up to 10 days for road trips through the country

• If you are willing to enter Russia once or twice during your trip to another country

• If you have return tickets to show your route

Important: You won’t need any visa if you make an air connection and stay all the time within transit zone, or if you fly over Russia directly to another country

You will need transit visa if you make air connection in Russian airports following to Belarus or Kazakhstan

RUSSIAN ELECTRONIC VISA FOR HUNGARIAN CITIZENS

This type is for you:

• If you go on a tourist, business or humanitarian trip

• If you stay no longer than 8 days out of 30 days period of validity of your e-visa

• If you don’t need to leave the region which you entered. You are allowed to enter one of the three regions so far: The Far East and Vladivostok, Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Region, Kaliningrad and Kaliningrad Region. You should enter and leave through the same designated border point.

• You should fill an e-form on MIA site 4 days prior to your trip, print it and present at the border point. If you need professional assistance to avoid any mistakes in filling the form, use this link: E-Visa form filling

Step 2. Which documents to collect for a visa

Once you’ve set your mind on a particular visa type and decided on your travel dates, it’s time to collect the documents required to apply for a Russian visa. These are:

1. Your original national passport with at least 2 blank visa marked pages, and valid for no less than 6 months beyond the visa expiry date. Also, prepare a photocopy of the main page of your passport

1. Required visa support document (Invitation). 

If you need a legal tourist confirmation or an official business invitation from company or MIA of Russia, we can help. Place your request here: Get visa support with VIsando

If you are applying for other visa types, contact your Russian host and make sure they provide you with the required visa support invitation

1. Completed online visa application form. Go to visa.kdmid.ru, fill out the form, print on both sides of paper, sign and date, glue your official color photo into the specified area. See photo requirements here: Russian visa photo specifications

1. Medical health insurance policy for trips to Russia (accepted in copy). This special kind of insurance can be obtained in an insurance company which has a contract with the Russian partners. Check the list of them here:

Európai Utazási Biztosító Zrt.

Europ Assistance Hungary

Europ Assistance CIS

Europ Assistance Group

QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited

Magyar Posta Biztosító Zrt.

Chartis Europe S.A.

Allianz Hungária Biztosító Zrt.

Union Biztosító Rt.

Uniqa Biztosító Zrt.

K&H Biztosító Zrt.

Groupama Biztosító Rt.

AXA Magyarország Biztosító Zrt.

Mondial Assistance

Bupa Denmark, Branch of Bupa Insurance Limited, England

Vienna Life, Vienna Insurance Group Biztosító Zrt

1. For applicants of Student or Work visas with the duration of longer than 90 days it’s necessary to obtain the HIV-certificate, proving you are HIV-negative. You can get it at a local clinic by giving a blood sample for testing. The certificate has to be submitted in original  within 90 days from the testing.

Please note, the Russian Consulate has the right to ask for any additional documents, but this above is the regular set.

Step 3. How and where to apply and how much will the visa cost

After you’ve prepared the necessary documents for your visa, it’s time to apply with them at an authorized Russian organ. Citizens of Hungary can apply for a Russian visa in either of these ways:

• At the Russian Consulate in Budapest or Debrecen in person upon prior appointment booked on the website of the embassy
• At a licensed Russian visa center Interlink Service in Budapest in person by appointment
• By post sending the documents to the Interlink Visa center in Budapest in an envelope

You can find the addresses and websites of the Russian consulate and visa center here: Russian embassies and consulates

If you choose to send the document by post, include the cover letter and a receipt of the visa+service+postal+courier fee payment in the envelope and address it to:

Interlink Service Kft.

Andrássy út. 100

1062, Budapest, Magyarországon

Visa and Service Fees

If you choose to apply directly at the Russian consular division you only have to pay the Consular fee for the processing of your documents. Remember, that it’s non-refundable.

Visa entries	Standard processing 4-20 working days	Expedited processing 1-3 working days
Single	23200 HUF	46400 HUF
Double	37120 HUF	74240 HUF
Multiple	69600 HUF	139200 HUF

If you are going to apply at the visa center you’ll also need to pay the Service fee which amounts to 8400 HUF. In case you order the postal service to submit your application you’ll need to pay extras: Postal processing fee 6740 HUF per applicant, and Courier fee 5060 HUF per passport. The payment is made in favor of:

Orosz Vízum Központ

Interlink Service Kft.

Andrássy út.100

1062, Budapest, Magyarországon

HU87 1040 4027 5052 6968 8355 1003

Step 4. Get your passport back and check your visa details

After you have received notification that your passport is ready for a pick up you should visit the Consulate or a Visa center and collect it, or wait until the courier brings it to your place if you ordered this service.

Carefully examine your Russian visa stamp. See the sample here to identify the necessary information:

If all is okay, you can go on to pack your bags and prepare for a trip. Bring with you:

• your passport with valid visa
• hotel and other bookings
• invitation from Russia
• insurance policy

Step 5. What you should take care of upon arrival

When in Russia you’ll need to go through the immigration control and obtain there a Migration card. You’ll be asked to fill the form in English or Russian block letters, after which it will be stamped and you’ll be given one part of the document. See how it looks like below. Carry it always with you during your trip. You can also take a picture and save it on your smartphone. If you lose it, contact the local migration service office and get a duplicate.

The second document – Registration – is necessary if you plan to stay over 7 working days in Russia. If you are staying in a hotel, the management will take charge of it, and provide you with the required registration for the period of your stay. 

If you are staying with your friends or relatives, or book an apartment via airbnb, you’ll need to contact the owner of the apartament to make sure, he’ll provide you with registration. It’s made at the local post or police office.

As you can see, the entire process isn’t so complicated. If you need consultation, contact us by email. 

Get your visa and welcome to Russia!