Private visa for German citizens

Validity period of a private visa

A private Russian visa for German citizens may be single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry. It is issued for a period of 30 days to one year, with the possibility of staying in Russia for the entire validity period of the visa without leaving the Russian Federation.

Obtaining a private visa by invitation

Russian citizens (as well as foreign citizens holding a residence permit in the Russian Federation) or companies have the right to apply to the authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation to arrange an invitation for German citizens to enter Russia. On the basis of this invitation, a private visa for the Russian Federation may be obtained for up to 90 days (with single or double entry). If a private individual invites a German citizen to the Russian Federation, they must apply to the regional office of the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at their place of registration. If a company invites a foreign citizen, the application is submitted to the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at the place where that company is accredited.

An invitation for a private visa is issued on an official Ministry of Internal Affairs form, in paper or electronic format, with an individual number. Processing a private invitation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs takes up to 30 days, during which checks are carried out to determine whether the foreign citizen has any criminal convictions, as well as visa or administrative violations. If a German citizen violated Russian law during previous trips, the invitation will be refused.

Obtaining a private visa on the application of a close relative

Since September 2021, German citizens who are close relatives of Russian citizens may apply for a one-year private visa on the basis of a written application from the Russian citizen requesting entry to Russia for their close relative.
 

Attention! Only close relatives of the foreign citizen may apply for a multiple-entry private visa.

Who qualifies as a close relative:

parents
spouses
children
children's spouses
full and half siblings
adoptive parents and adopted children
grandchildren
grandparents
 

The Russian citizen must submit such an application personally to the consular section of Russia in Germany, or through a Russian visa center. If the Russian citizen is in the Russian Federation, the original of a notarized application will be required to obtain the visa. The application must be accompanied by the original or a notarized copy of a document confirming the close relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.) and recognized as valid in Russia. 

Important! To obtain a multiple-entry private visa for a period exceeding three months, German citizens must also provide a certificate confirming the absence of HIV infection. This requirement does not apply to the spouses, children, or parents of Russian citizens.