--- title: "Telex invitation to Russia issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs" language: en url: "https://goingrus.com/info/en/get-russian-visa/russian-visa-invitation/telex-invitation-to-russia-issued-by-mid" modified: 2026-08-16 --- # Telex invitation to Russia issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Contents --------- - [What it is](#what-is) - [How to get it](#how-to-get) - [Documents](#documents) - [How to apply](#how-apply) - [Processing times](#visa-terms) --- What is a Russian MFA Telex invitation? ---------------------------------------- A Russian MFA Telex invitation is a visa instruction issued as an encrypted code by the Consular Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and sent directly to a Russian consular office abroad. A Telex business invitation does not exist on paper. Each issued invitation receives a unique number, which serves as the basis for applying for an entry visa for Russia. The advantage of this invitation format is that it saves time and money, because no paper invitation needs to be sent by international express mail. The foreign citizen receives only the Telex number and the details of the inviting company, which must be entered in the visa application form. When applying at the Russian consular office, the applicant provides this Telex number. --- How to get a visa with a Russian MFA Telex invitation ------------------------------------------------------ A Russian MFA Telex invitation can be issued only at the request of a Russian company accredited by the Consular Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Telex processing times depend on the applicant's citizenship and range from 8 to 30 business days. A Telex invitation should not be requested earlier than 45 days before the planned date of entry into Russia. Visas based on Telex invitations are issued for the period stated in the invitation. The maximum visa validity period that may be requested is 365 days with multiple entries. Read more: [Why use a Telex or MIA invitation when you can get an invitation from an organization?](https://goingrus.com/info/en/get-russian-visa/types-of-russian-visa/why-consider-the-telex-invitation-or-invitation-issued-by-the-fms-if-i-can-use-the-invitation-from-an-organization) [Order a Telex invitation online](https://goingrus.com/en/russian-visa-invitation/business-invitation-to-russia?c=1) --- What documents are required to apply for a Russian MFA Telex invitation? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- To apply for a Telex invitation to Russia, the following documents must be provided electronically: - **Copy of the invited foreign citizen's passport** – the main identity document containing all required personal details of the applicant; - **Copy of the previous Russian visa** – if the foreign citizen has visited Russia before, copies of previous Russian visas are required to check their visa history; - **Completed application form** – a special form with the details of the planned trip, period of stay and purpose of visit; - **Copy of a temporary residence permit** – required if the foreign citizen plans to apply for a Russian visa in a country of which they are not a citizen. --- How to apply for a Russian MFA Telex invitation ------------------------------------------------ To apply for a Telex invitation to Russia with the help of our specialists, you need to send us electronic copies of the invited foreign citizen's passport and previous Russian visa, if available. You will also need to complete the application form. If the foreign citizen plans to apply for a Russian visa in a country of which they are not a citizen, they must also send a copy of their temporary residence permit in that country. [Order a Telex invitation online](https://goingrus.com/en/russian-visa-invitation/business-invitation-to-russia?c=1) --- Invitation and visa processing times ------------------------------------- Telex processing times depend on the applicant's citizenship and range from 8 to 30 business days. For citizens of some countries, processing times are regulated by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and range from 8 to 13 business days, depending on the period for which the visa is requested. More detailed information on applying for a business visa for Russia is available in this section: [Business visa for Russia for foreign citizens](https://goingrus.com/info/en/get-russian-visa/types-of-russian-visa/russian-business-visa-for-foreigners) --- [Popular questions and answers](https://goingrus.com/info/en/get-russian-visa/types-of-russian-visa/russian-business-visa-for-foreigners) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Who is a Russian MFA Telex invitation suitable for? A Russian MFA Telex invitation is suitable for foreign citizens who need to apply for a business visa for Russia for business meetings, conferences or negotiations. It is an official invitation format accepted by Russian consular offices. ### Do I need to submit the original Telex invitation to the consulate? No. A Telex business invitation does not exist on paper. With this type of invitation, the foreign citizen only needs to provide the Telex number, also known as the visa instruction number, at the Russian consular office. ### Can the processing of a Russian MFA Telex invitation be expedited? Telex processing times depend on the applicant's citizenship and range from 8 to 30 business days. For some countries, processing times are regulated by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and may range from 8 to 13 business days. Expedited processing depends on the workload of the authorities and whether all required checks can be completed in time. ### What is the maximum visa validity period for a Russian MFA Telex invitation? Visas based on Telex invitations are issued for the period stated in the invitation. The maximum visa validity period that may be requested is 365 days with multiple entries. Visa validity cannot be extended on this basis. ### Can the Russian MFA refuse to issue a Telex invitation? Yes. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs may refuse to issue an invitation if checks reveal visa violations, fines, deportations or criminal records involving the foreign citizen during previous visits to Russia. In this case, the inviting company receives a refusal to issue the invitation.