Russian Tourist Visa Requirements for Citizens of Zimbabwe
Citizens of Zimbabwe wishing to travel to Russia for recreational, cultural, adventure tourism or any other leisure purposes need to be in possession of a valid entry visa prior to their travel. Applicants are invited to submit their applications directly at the Russian Embassy with a complete set of relevant documents and an invitation letter attached.
Read more: Russian Tourist Visa
An invitation letter for a tourist visa can be obtained from any travel agency that is authorized by Russian Federal Register of Tour Operators. This type of invitation requires a minimum effort and takes around an hour to issue.
Travel agencies print invitation letters on their letterheads, as the format of this document is not standardized. Tourist invitations consist of two essential parts: a tourist voucher and a tourist confirmation. The document must contain complete and accurate information about the travel company and the foreign tourist this document is intended for. The following details regarding the trip must be indicated: all the destinations the traveler plans to visit in Russia, the number of entries he/she requests and the dates of entry and exit.
Please bear in mind that the travel companies that issue invitation letters cannot be held responsible for your visa application being rejected for whatever reason, as they merely provide support services. Also note that you may need to show a receipt for your hotel reservation, your flight tickets or a proof of travel medical insurance at the Embassy.
Holders of a tourist visa may be granted entry and permitted to stay in Russia for a period not exceeding 30 days. This type of visa can be valid for one or two entries.
Arrange an invitation for a Russian tourist visa for citizens of Zimbabwe
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Russian Private (Visitor) Visa Requirements for Citizens of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe nationals who plant to visit their friends of family members in Russia need to apply for a private visa. This type of visa requires a special kind of supporting letter. To obtain this document, the traveler must have a Russian resident, an individual or business entity arrange it for him/her.
Any Russian resident is entitled to invite foreign citizens to visit Russia, a special procedure exists for that. To complete it, the inviting person must apply at the local office of the Federal Migration Service (FMS). In addition to the completed form, the applicant will need to submit the following: the applicant's national passport, the foreigner's identification document valid for international travel, a receipt confirming payment of the state duty and a letter of guarantee in which the applicant agrees to provide accommodation and, if needed, medical or other support for the period he/she will be staying in Russia.
Find out why: Why not apply for a private visa?
Read more: Russian Private Visa
Beware! Even a one day visa overstay may lead to deportation or penalties. All expenses will be borne by the host. Also note that any Russian person inviting a Zimbabwe national to visit Russia is required to attend an interview with an FMS official. This is due to the fact that Zimbabwe is a high migration risk country, according to the Russian authorities. The estimated processing time for this kind of application is 30 days.
Legal entities can also arrange private visa invitations on behalf of foreign citizens. For that, the authorized person is required to apply at the local FMS office and submit all the required documents supporting the application. Applicants can expect to get a decision on their application within 17 working days of their application being received.
Please note that in some cases the Russian immigration authorities may decide to refuse the request to issue an invitation letter for a foreign person. A statement in writing outlining the reasons for refusal will be provided. Private visas are normally issued for a maximum of 90 days. (single- or double-entry)
Arrange an invitation for a Russian private visa for citizens of Zimbabwe
Russian Business (Commercial) Visa Requirements for Citizens of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe nationals who plan a trip to Russia to attend a business appointment or participate in any kind of business activity in Russia should apply for a business visa. To obtain this type of visa, a properly executed letter of invitation is needed. It can be arranged by the company or organization wishing to invite the foreign person to come to Russia.
Read more: Russian Business Visa
The business visa invitation letter can be obtained by either of these ways:
- Russian Business Invitation Letter from organization (possible to get Online);
- Russian Invitation Letter from FMS;
- Telex Russian Invitation;
A limited number of companies authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or FMS are allowed to issue their own letters of invitation for foreigners. This document constitutes a formal request to the Russian Embassy to grant a business visa to the Zimbabwe national.
To obtain an officially approved invitation issued on the standard FMS form, the authorized person must apply at the FMS office. Please note that each applicant will be checked against the immigration and police databases. Those who have previously violated visa regulations or any other laws of the Russian Federation will be banned from entering the country. In case of a positive response, an invitation letter in support of a business visa application printed on the official FMS approved form will be issued.
Telex invitation requires no paperwork at all, as it is carried out by means of a secure communication channel called Telex. It is used by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to directly send invitations to the Russian Embassies located abroad. The Telex number must be emailed, faxed or delivered in any convenient way to the applicant and put on the visa application form.
Read more: What is the Difference Between Telex And the Original Invitation?
Russian business visas can be issued for a maximum of 1 year, depending on the duration specified in the invitation letter. Single-, double-, or multiple-entry business visas are available.
Arrange a letter of invitation for a Russian business visa for citizens of Zimbabwe
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Arrange an FMS invitation for a Russian business visa for citizens of Zimbabwe
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Arrange a Telex invitation for a Russian business visa for citizens of Zimbabwe
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Russian Work Visa Requirements for Citizens of Zimbabwe
All foreign citizens, including Zimbabwe nationals, need to apply for a work visa to legally work in Russia. For a potential worker to come and start working in a Russian company, the employer must support his/her visa application. The company must also possess a valid permit allowing it to employ foreign nationals.
Read more: Russian Work Visa
Before the visa process begins, the employer should apply for a work permit for the prospective employee and, as soon as it is obtained, send it to him/her by regular mail. The employee must enclose it to his/her application when applying for his/her visa.
Holders of this type of visa are entitled to enter Russia any number of times and stay in the country continuously within the validity period of the visa. It can also be conveniently extended without having to leave the country. Russian work visas can be valid for 1 or 3 years.
Arrange an invitation for a Russian work visa for citizens of Zimbabwe
Russian Electronic Visa from Zimbabwe
An electronic visa (hereinafter referred to as "e-visa") is a new type of a visa document. A visa invitation to Russia is not required for obtaining an e-visa. To obtain an e-visa to Russia use our “E-visa to Russia” service.
An e-visa can be only single-entry. The permitted stay in Russia on an e-visa is up to 8 days from the date of entry within its validity period.
The validity period and/ or permitted stay on an e-visa cannot be extended. To obtain an e-visa a foreign citizen needs a digital passport photo and a completed application form containing full and valid data at the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Read more: Electronic visa to Russia for foreigners
In compliance with the Russian Government Regulation, Zimbabwe is currently not listed among the foreign states eligible for an e-visa.
We recommend citizens of Zimbabwe obtaining a common tourist visa for a stay up to 30 days.
Russian Consular Offices in Zimbabwe
Citizens of Zimbabwe can apply for their visa at the following consular offices:
Russian Embassy Locations in Zimbabwe
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The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Zimbabwe
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Address: 70 Fife Avenue, G.P.O.
Box 4250, Harare, Zimbabwe - Phone Number: (8-10-263-4) 701-957, 701-958.
- Fax: (8-10-263-4) 795-932.
- E-mail: russianembassy@zol.co.zw
- Website: http://www.zimbabwe.mid.ru
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Address: 70 Fife Avenue, G.P.O.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Tourist Visa - e.g.: tourism, sightseeing;
- Business Visa - e.g.: conferences, business negotiations;
- E-Visa - e.g.: short-term visits;
- Work Visa - e.g.: employment in a Russian company;
- Private Visa - e.g.: visiting friends in Russia (though a tourist visa is cheaper and more effecient??).
To obtain a Russian visa you need:
- Fill in our online order form and get a Visa invitation to Russia
- Refer to our Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Russian Visa Application, use your personal data and information from the Invitation to Russia
