🇷🇺Russia Visa for Palestinian Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Work Visa

Authorises foreign nationals to undertake paid employment in Russia under a labour contract. Must be sponsored by a Russian employer who has obtained a work permit (razresheniye na rabotu) on behalf of the foreign national.

• Employer must first obtain a quota slot (or use quota-exempt Highly Qualified Specialist pathway, HQS, with minimum quarterly salary of RUB 750,000 effective March 1, 2024).
• Initial work visa valid up to 1 year; extendable in-country.
• HQS pathway allows work permits valid up to 3 years.
• EAEU citizens (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) do not need a work visa or permit.
• Citizens of CIS countries with visa-free regimes may also work under simplified rules.

Student Visa

Issued to foreign nationals accepted for full-time study at an accredited Russian educational institution (university, college, or language school). Requires an official invitation from the institution.

• Requires an official invitation (vyzov) issued by the educational institution through the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Issued at Russian embassies/consulates abroad.
• Must be renewed annually in-country via the university's foreign student office.
• Student visa does not automatically confer work rights; separate permission required to work part-time.

Humanitarian/Medical Visa

Issued to foreign nationals travelling to Russia for medical treatment at a licensed Russian medical facility. Requires an invitation from the treating medical institution.

• Falls under the humanitarian visa category in Russian immigration law.
• Requires a formal invitation from the Russian medical institution and documentation confirming planned treatment.
• Accompanying family members may apply for a separate private/guest visa.
• Extensions possible in-country if treatment is ongoing.

Private/Guest Visa (Family Reunion)

Permits foreign nationals to visit immediate family members (spouses, parents, children, siblings) who are Russian citizens or registered foreign residents in Russia.

• The Russian host (citizen or permanent resident) submits an invitation through the local MVD office (GUVM).
• Alternatively, a notarised private invitation is accepted.
• The consulate may request proof of family relationship.
• Spouses of Russian citizens may subsequently apply for a temporary residence permit and follow the path to permanent residency.

Diplomatic/Official Visa

Issued to holders of diplomatic, service, official, or special passports travelling to Russia on official government business or assigned to diplomatic missions.

• Holders of diplomatic, official, service, and/or special passports of 100+ countries may enter Russia without a visa under bilateral agreements (typically 90 days per 180-day period).
• For countries without such agreements, diplomatic/official visas are issued gratis.
• Exemptions for EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland diplomatic passport holders have been suspended.
• Exact terms governed by individual bilateral treaties listed on the Russian MFA portal.

Golden Visa (Investor Permanent Residence Permit)

Grants direct permanent residence to foreign investors who meet prescribed investment thresholds in Russia, without requiring a prior temporary residence permit stage.

• Established by Government Decree No. 2573 (Dec 31, 2022), effective Jan 11, 2023.
• Investment options include: (1) RUB 15 million in socially significant regional projects within 3 years; (2) RUB 30 million in a Russian company with RUB 6 million/year in taxes; (3) Russian commercial entity with RUB 4 million/year taxes, operating 2+ years; (4) Real estate with cadastral value RUB 50 million (Moscow), RUB 20 million (Far East), RUB 25 million (elsewhere).
• Annual quota: 3,802 permits for 2026.
• Path to citizenship after 5 years of permanent residence.
• Requirement to stay 6 months/year was removed in late 2025/early 2026.

Shared Values Temporary Residence Permit

Grants temporary residence to foreign nationals from designated countries who demonstrate alignment with traditional Russian values, without requiring a standard quota slot.

• Established by Presidential Decree No. 702 (Aug 19, 2024).
• Available to citizens of 47 countries (including US, UK, Canada, most EU states; list approved Sep 17, 2024).
• No Russian language test or history exam required.
• Quota-exempt.
• Leads to standard permanent residency and citizenship pathway after meeting residency requirements.

Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) Work Permit + Visa

Fast-track work authorisation for highly skilled foreign specialists sponsored by a Russian employer, offering expedited processing and longer validity than the standard work permit.

• Minimum quarterly salary of RUB 750,000 required (effective March 1, 2024).
• Employer files with Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Work permit valid up to 3 years (matching contract duration); extendable without leaving Russia.
• Exempt from standard labour quotas.
• Family members receive derivative visas.
• HQS status also facilitates accelerated temporary and permanent residence.

Ordinary Humanitarian Visa

Issued to foreign nationals travelling to Russia to establish or strengthen scientific, cultural, or socio-political ties, to participate in sporting events or religious activities, or to provide humanitarian assistance.

• Covers scientific, cultural, and socio-political ties, sporting events, religious activities, and the provision of humanitarian assistance.
• Single- and double-entry variants are valid up to 90 days; a multiple-entry humanitarian visa may be issued for up to 1 year.
• Requires an invitation issued by a Russian host organisation through the Ministry of Internal Affairs (or a decision of the MFA).
• Broader than, and distinct from, the medical-treatment humanitarian sub-category.
• Application form completed at visa.kdmid.ru; submitted to a Russian embassy or consulate.

Ordinary Private Visa for Temporary Residence Permit (RVP)

Single-entry private visa issued to foreign nationals who intend to enter Russia in order to apply for a temporary residence permit (RVP) at the territorial migration office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

• A single-entry ordinary private visa valid for up to 90 days, issued specifically for entry to submit an RVP application to the MVD.
• The standard route is subject to the annual RVP regional quota and normally requires proof of Russian language, history, and legislation; some applicants (e.g. spouses of Russian citizens, persons born in the RSFSR/USSR) are quota-exempt.
• A separate quota- and exam-exempt variant exists for persons who share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values under Presidential Decree No. 702 (see the Shared Values entry).
• Complete the form at visa.kdmid.ru selecting the private visa category; a consular interview may be required.