Important Travel Advisory

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advises Australians to reconsider the need to travel to Russia due to the volatile security environment.1 Before planning any trip, carefully consider the following risks:

• Security threats: Including the risk of arbitrary detention and the challenging security environment
• Limited consular support: The Australian government’s ability to provide consular assistance to Australians in Russia may be limited
• Dual nationals: Australians with Russian citizenship may face particular difficulties
• Travel insurance: Your travel insurance may not cover incidents in destinations with DFAT travel warnings
• Flight disruptions: Direct flights between Australia and Russia are limited, with most routes connecting through third countries

If you choose to travel despite this advisory, ensure you have comprehensive contingency plans, appropriate insurance, and register with the Australian government’s Smart Traveller service.

Australian Citizens and the Russian E-Visa

Unlike citizens from 64 other countries, Australian nationals are not eligible for the Russian unified e-visa.4 The e-visa programme, relaunched in August 2023, allows simplified electronic visa applications for citizens of many European and Asian countries including Germany, France, India, China, and Japan.

Australian citizens must apply for a traditional tourist visa through the full consular process, which requires:

• An invitation letter from a registered Russian tour operator
• Paper application and document submission
• Longer processing times (10-20 working days vs 4 days for e-visa)
• Higher costs (approximately AUD 250-400 vs USD 52 for e-visa)

Application Process

1. Obtain Your Tourist Invitation Letter

Before starting the visa application, you must obtain a “tourist invitation” or “visa support” document from a Russian travel agency registered with the Federal Tourism Agency.3 This can be purchased online from providers such as Express to Russia, iVisa, or Real Russia for approximately AUD 25-40. The invitation contains your travel dates, accommodation details, and itinerary.

2. Complete the Online Application Form

Fill out the electronic visa application at visa.kdmid.ru.2 Select “Australia” as your country of application. Print the completed form and sign it in blue or black ink. All information must match your invitation letter exactly, including dates, cities to be visited, and personal details.

3. Prepare Your Documents

Gather all required documents: original passport (valid 6+ months beyond visa expiry with 2 blank pages), printed and signed application form, passport photo (glued to the form), passport data page copy, invitation letter, and travel insurance certificate.3

4. Submit Your Application

Submit your application through one of the following methods:5

• Authorized visa agency: Services like Travelvisa2go in Sydney handle the application process on your behalf (recommended for most applicants)
• Russian Embassy in Canberra: You can apply directly at 78 Canberra Avenue, Griffith ACT 2603, phone: +61 2 6295 9033

Note: The Interlink Russian Visa Application Centre suspended operations in March 2023.

5. Pay Fees and Wait for Processing

Pay the consular fee and any service charges. Standard processing takes 10-20 working days. Express processing may be available for an additional fee.

6. Collect Your Visa

Once processed, collect your passport with the visa from where you submitted, or arrange for postal delivery (additional fee applies). Verify all details on the visa are correct before traveling.

Fees

Note: Fees are approximate and may vary by provider.5 Additional charges may apply for postal services and optional extras. Fees are typically non-refundable if your application is denied.

Processing Times

Processing time is measured from when your documents are submitted and does not include postal transit time.3 During busy periods or holiday seasons, processing may take longer. Express processing is subject to availability.

After Your Visa is Approved

Once you receive your visa, verify all information is correct before traveling:2

• Entry and exit dates: Your visa shows exact validity dates in DD.MM.YYYY format. You must enter and exit Russia within these dates.
• Number of entries: Confirm whether you have single, double, or multiple entry.
• Personal details: Check your name and passport number are correct.

At the Russian border, you will receive a migration card. Keep this card safe as you must present it when departing Russia. Losing it can result in fines and significant departure delays.

You must register your visa within 7 business days of arrival in Russia. Hotels typically handle registration for their guests automatically. If staying in private accommodation, your host must register you at the local migration office.

If Your Visa is Refused

Russian visa refusals for Australian citizens are relatively uncommon when applications are properly prepared. If refused:

1. No detailed explanation required: The Russian Consulate is not obligated to provide specific reasons for denial
2. No refund: Consular and service fees are typically non-refundable regardless of outcome
3. Review your documents: Most refusals result from documentation errors or inconsistencies between the application, passport, and invitation
4. Reapply: You can submit a new application with corrected documents after addressing any issues
5. Seek professional help: For complex cases, consider consulting an immigration specialist

Common issues causing refusals include mismatched information between documents, damaged passports, invalid invitation letters from unregistered operators, missing travel insurance, and incomplete application forms.