Telex invitation to Russia issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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.

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?

Order a Telex invitation online

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.

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

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