Russian visa requirements

Before attempting a trip to Russia, make sure you understand the process and visa requirements. You need to have a valid visa before you enter the country, as it is impossible to obtain it upon the e ntry. You also need to have a valid passport with at least two clear visa pages, as the passport will be your only accepted form of ID. (Even for Russian citizens passport is the only form of ID). There are several visa types for travelling to Russia.

• Business Visas. In order to make a business trip to Russia you need to have a business partner in Russia who invites you to visit. He needs to submit a letter of invitation. Your company is also required to submit a letter explaining the purpose of the visit, the period of stay, and etc.
• Tourist Visas. You should apply for a tourist visa only if you plan to stay in a hotel. Since every Russian visitor is required to have a sponsor, your travel company or your hotel is your sponsor. When applying for a tourist visa, you need to have a letter of confirmation and a voucher from the hotel or your travel agency. You also need to submit a personal letter explaining the purpose and the details of your trip.
• Visitor’s Visas. If you are planning to stay with a friend or a specific person, you need to apply for a visitor’s visa. Your friend becomes your sponsor. He/she needs to submit a letter of invitation.
• Transit visas. If Russia is not your final travel destination, you still need to have a visa. You need to submit copies of the visa of the destination country, tickets, and a letter describing any specifics of the trip. Try to avoid transiting through Russia to avoid possible complications. 

Also keep in mind that every letter of invitation from your sponsor must be registered with Russian Interior Ministry prior to being submitted.