In this article, I am going to share information about the Russian travel agencies issuing invitation letter for Indian tourists. To me, the process seemed quite cumbersome in the beginning, but at the end, I learned getting a Russian visa invitation letter online is not that difficult. (Read – How to get Russia tourist visa)
While planning my first trip to Russia I came to know that in order to apply for a Russian tourist visa, Indian citizens are supposed to procure an invitation/confirmation letter from a travel agency based in Russia & registered in the Unified Federal Register of Tour Operators (under a reference number). Very few nationals are exempted from this condition.
Do you really need an invitation letter in Original!
Initially, I came to know that while applying for the visa at the Russian Embassy or Consulate the invitation letter should be submitted in original. This means the visa applicant has to get the ‘piece of paper’ couriered from Russia to his address in India by paying hefty charges to the courier agencies. But later on, I got to know that the scanned copy is enough. The Russian consulate in Kolkata confirmed this to me through email.
Russian travel agencies issuing ‘Letter of Invitation’ online
So here are the travel agencies who issue invitation letter for Indian citizens online. You just have to approach their website and fill up the details and make the payment online. Some of them accept payment through Paypal only. All these agencies have different charges. I am mentioning their charges also.
- https://www.russianvisahelp.com/travel/ – 19.99 USD* I used their service
- http://ivisa.ru/en/ – 33.69 USD*
- http://globaltourismru.com/
- http://www.yourvisatorussia.com/
* as on August 2017
Russian Visa Invitation for free!
In March 2018, One of the members of the facebook group of TouristHelpline got the Russian visa invitation letter for free. Check this post to know more
I approached all of them through email for some queries. Of them, ‘russianvisahelp’ & ‘ivisaonline’ were very prompt. I got the ‘letter of Invitation’ from ‘russianvisahelp’ agency. They sent it through email within few minutes of submitting the application online. For Indian citizens, they charge 19.99 USD for this facility.
After getting the letter of invitation you can approach the Russian Embassy/Consulate or the authorized private agencies for applying for the visa. In my case, the scanned copy of the invitation letter provided by ‘russianvisahelp’ was happily accepted by the Consulate office in Kolkata.
20 comments
Hi verun I am from Bangladesh I saw all your videos from the beginning to the end. And very much enjoy. I’m a big fan of you. Because I myself also like traveling a lot. I’m waiting for your next video. Thank you.
very good show varun planning a trip to Hong Kong cheers
Varun .. I saw your all video from start you have done good job as Indian very knowledgeable video you will be made. I want to go for Europe . My friend did you tell me about genuine visa information for EU
THANKS for information, beside the invitation letter did the embassy ask for return ticket and hotel booking&bank statment..etc or the invitation letter is sufficent..
The more documents you have more are the chances of getting the visa. Though, officially they don’t ask for bank statement and return ticket. I carried my tickets with me, but no need of bank statement.
For getting a Russian Visa these documents are necessary.
1. Tourist Invitation letter
2. Passport in original
3. Copy of passport
4. Duly filled application form
5. Photograph – size 35×45 mm
6. Prescribed fee – 1300/2600 INR at Russian Consulate/Embassy or 2480/3780 INR at IFS (authorized private agency)
For details, check this – https://www.touristhelpline.com/how-i-got-russian-tourist-visa/
Hi Varun,
Do we need to submit all the old passports for visa?
The Russian visa officials did not ask for the old passport, but its advisable to keep it with you. I carried my old passport while applying for the Russian visa.
Thank you for the info?
HI Varun, I watch your channel right from the beginning and I am a great fan of you. Can I have your mobile number? Please accept my invitation to come to our place and spend some time with us if you can manage time….Good luck.. Your videos provide oxygen to us when we get suffocated with our daily lives and plan to go some where
Thanks for your lovely comment :)
Thank you so much! I was searching all around the web for this. Now I’m glad I can go directly into the consulate and have first-hand experience with Russian officials. I will be applying in Chennai consulate for tourist visa. So, a printed copy of the invitation will suffice, right? :)
– Varun
Yes :)
Excellent explanation my friend , Im from chennai , is there Russian embassy in chennai ?
Have an safe journey and keep posting videos as waiting for it.
Thanks. All the Russian trip videos are here https://goo.gl/BB54T4
Hey varun .enjoy ur trip.i watched all ur videos of all trip…waitng for ur upcoming videos of russia trip.i am planning too go either russia or thailand in comimg january..i am little bit confused about it.can u help me regarding this
Sure.
What help do you need?
You are my inspiration Varun! I have been there in couple of weeks ago! Nice country :) Have a safe and happy journey! Keep us updated :)
Thanks Bhavin :)