Are you joining one of our Elbrus trips and looking to start the visa application process? We’ve lined it all up for you below, so put the kettle on, grab a couple of biscuits and let’s get into it.
THE PROCESS
- Before applying, make sure you have received your invitation letter from Adventure Base. Once you have received this document, you can fill in the Visa application form. In order to fill in the visa application form, please make sure you have all the required documents and information as mentioned below in the ‘Required Documents and Information’ section.
- Print your visa application form and visit your nearest Russian Visa Application Centre in either London, Manchester or Edinburgh. Walk in service, no appointment required. More information here.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION
Click here to see the required documents for your country if not travelling from the UK
FOR UK RESIDENTS AND PASSPORT HOLDERS
You will need:
- Current passport valid for at least six months after your trips expiration date and has at least 2 consecutive blank pages.
- Visa application form filled in and printed out in paper form. Kindly ensure that the dates of your entry and exit, as entered in the application form, match with or fall within the period specified in the supporting documents.
- When beginning the visa application form online, you will be provided with an Identification number. YOU MUST SAVE THIS NUMBER immediately, as you will need it to re-login in to your application if you get timed out. Take a screen shot or write the number down. Do not forget!
- One recent passport size photo glued to the indicated space on the application form.
- A ‘Tourist voucher’ and a ‘Tourist confirmation’ document stamped and signed by our Russian partners Elbrus Tours.
- Self-employed, company directors, working from home or unemployed applicants need to provide bank statements for the last three months which have a current balance of a minimum of £100 per day for the duration of the visit. Please note that if you wish to provide online banking printouts please make sure they will be certified and stamped by your bank. Studentsretired people are not required to provide bank statements.
PROCESSING TIMES
Processing times vary from 3 to 20 business days so make sure you complete this process within plenty of time to be safe and stress free. We recommend starting the process no later than 2 months pre-departure for maximum peace of mind.
RVAC London:
Express service: up to 3 business days; (From the day received by the Russian Embassy in London)
Standard service: up to 20 business days;
RVAC Manchester:
Express service: up to 3 business days;
Standard service: up to 20 business days;
RVAC Edinburgh:
Express service: 1 business day;
Standard service: 5 business days;
Please note that due to Covid19, every passenger has to show a printed medical document (in English or Russian), confirming a negative PCR test for COVID-19, at the check-in and then at the border of the Russian Federation. Passengers without the printed medical document may be refused to board. This information is constantly changing so please check with the FCO latest travel advice to Russia here.
Useful Further Information
For an additional charge of 1.60GBP (VAT included) you can receive notifications at each step of your visa application process via SMS text messages and e-mail. This is quite a nice feature to use to keep you up to date.
Photo requirements:
- 3,5 x 4,5 cm taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
- Clear quality and with the face in focus.
- Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
- Full face, non-smiling (without sunglasses, a hat/cap or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background).
- Please stick the Photograph on the Visa Application Form.
Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete.
All the above information can be read in more detail at the Russian visa Application Centre website here.