Do Maltese citizens need a visa for Russia?
Yes, they do. Since August 1, 2023, an electronic visa has been available, allowing Maltese citizens to stay in Russia for up to 30 days without an invitation. For longer stays, a standard visa issued through a consulate is required.
How can Maltese citizens apply for a Russian visa?
Step 1. Get an invitation
To apply for a Russian visa, Maltese citizens need to prepare a set of documents. The key document is an official invitation. The type of invitation depends on the requested visa category: tourist, business, private, work or another type, depending on the purpose of the visit.
Step 2. Choose how to submit your documents
- Through the Russian consulate (only in Valletta).
– Applications are accepted by appointment only.
– The number of applications accepted per day is limited, so long queues are possible. - Through an agency – a full visa service.
– Agencies can help arrange a visa without the applicant appearing in person.
– This option is convenient for busy applicants and for those who want to reduce the amount of paperwork.
As there is currently no official Russian visa centre in Malta, documents can be submitted either in person directly to the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation or through an accredited agency. When applying through the Embassy, please note that visa documents are accepted strictly by prior appointment and in person.
⚠️ Regardless of the submission method, start the visa application process in advance to avoid unexpected delays. However, a visa application may be submitted no earlier than 90 days before the planned date of entry into Russia.
Apply for an invitation
Price from €14
Full visa service for Russian visa applications in Malta
For Maltese citizens, we offer remote full visa service with submission through our representative office in Germany to the Russian Consular Section in Bonn. German resident status is not required. The applicant does not need to visit the consulate in person or contact a visa centre to submit the visa application. We prepare all the necessary documents and arrange passport delivery from the applicant to our partners in Germany. They submit the documents to the consulate and, once the visa is ready, collect the passport with the issued visa and send it back by courier.
The standard processing time for a single- or double-entry visa is 8–10 business days, counted from the moment your documents are received at our office in Bonn. Urgent processing is also available and takes only 2 business days. For a multiple-entry visa, processing takes 12 business days, and no expedited option is available for this visa type. Please also allow another 2–4 business days for document delivery in both directions.
All visa packages for Maltese citizens include the following services:
- Consular and visa fees for visa processing.
- Remote visa processing for EU passport holders through the office in Bonn – without the need to confirm resident status in Germany.
- Completion of the applicant’s consular visa application form on the applicant’s behalf (based on the information provided by the applicant).
- Delivery of original documents both ways via DHL (to our office in Germany and back).
The cost of the full visa service includes mandatory consular and visa fees, DHL courier delivery within the EU (€99), and our company’s service fee. Standard packages start from €119; urgent processing starts from €179. The amount of consular and visa fees varies depending on the number of entries and the urgency of the visa. The invitation and medical insurance are paid separately: the invitation price depends on its type, duration and number of entries; the insurance price depends on the insurance programme, the number of insured days and the applicant’s age (from €1 per day).
Apply for full visa service
Price from €119
Main Russian visa types for Maltese citizens
- Tourist visa – tourism, excursions and sightseeing;
- Business visa – conferences and business meetings;
- Electronic visa – short-term trips;
- Work visa – employment with a Russian company;
- Private visa – visiting relatives or meeting friends in Russia (although it is usually more practical and cheaper to use a tourist or electronic visa).
Validity periods of Russian visas for Maltese citizens
| Visa | Validity period | Purpose of entry |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist | 1–180 days | Tourism, leisure, excursions, cultural events, as well as visiting friends or relatives in Russia |
| Business | 1 month to 5 years | Business meetings and negotiations, searching for business partners, attending conferences (also long-term visits to relatives in Russia) |
| Electronic | 1–30 days | Short-term trips |
| Private | 30 days to 1 year | Officially arranged visits to relatives and friends in Russia |
| Work | up to 90 days, with the possibility of extension for up to three years | Employment in Russia |
Documents for a Russian visa for Maltese citizens
- Invitation.
– Depending on the visa category (tourist, business, private, etc.) – in accordance with consular requirements. - International passport (original).
– At least two blank pages.
– Validity – at least 6 months after the visa expires. - Visa application form.
– Completed fully online at visa.kdmid.ru (in Russian or English).
– Printed and signed in person. - Passport photo.
– Color photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm, on a light background.
– Taken no more than 6 months ago. - Medical insurance.
– An insurance policy valid throughout the Russian Federation for the entire visa period, with coverage of at least €30,000. - Document confirming the right to reside in Malta (not required for citizens of Malta).
– For third-country nationals – the original and a copy of the Maltese residence permit. - Documents for minor children.
– Birth certificate (original + copy).
– For children travelling with third parties – a power of attorney from the parent, a copy of the parent’s passport and the birth certificate.
Processing times for a Russian visa for Maltese citizens
Visa applications are processed by the staff of the Embassy or Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Malta. Processing times are calculated from the next business day after the full set of documents has been received.
The standard processing time is 4–10 business days. If necessary, urgent processing is available and may take up to 3 business days; however, this service requires prior approval and is not provided automatically.
Please note that during the high season, processing times may increase. For business visas issued on the basis of an official invitation from a company, urgent processing is not available; in this case, the standard 10-day processing period applies.
In the case of group applications or unforeseen circumstances, processing times may be extended. We recommend planning document submission in advance.
How much does a Russian visa cost for Maltese citizens?
The cost of a Russian visa for Maltese citizens depends on:
- The number of entries (single-entry, double-entry, multiple-entry).
- The processing time (standard or urgent).
For urgent processing, the cost doubles.
Consular fees (in euros):
- Single entry:
- 4–20 days – €80.
- 1–3 days – €160 (urgent processing).
- Double entry:
- 4–20 days – €128.
- 1–3 days – €256 (urgent processing).
- Multiple entry:
- 4–20 days – €240.
- 1–3 days – €480 (urgent processing).
The prices shown are for informational purposes only – the final amount may vary depending on additional services and the current exchange rate.
Tourist visa for Russia for Maltese citizens
If a Maltese citizen plans to visit the Russian Federation for sightseeing and leisure, a tourist visa is required. Invitations for this visa type are issued by tour operators included in the federal register and holding their own reference number [1].
Step-by-step guide to applying for a visa for Russia
The format of the invitation may vary, but the document must include the travel company’s details and reference number, as well as the Maltese citizen’s passport details. The tourist invitation must specify the travel dates, visa entry type, planned itinerary (the cities to be visited), and places of accommodation.
You can check the status of a tourist invitation using this link.
To obtain a visa, a Maltese citizen will also need medical insurance.
What is the validity period of a tourist visa for Maltese citizens?
Up to 90 days with single or double entry, or 180 days with multiple entry (under a multiple-entry tourist visa, the permitted stay must not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period).
Proceed to tourist invitation application
Price from €14
Business visa for Russia for Maltese citizens
If a Maltese citizen plans to conduct business negotiations in Russia, search for business partners, sign or extend contracts, or participate in seminars or auctions, they need a business visa. This visa requires an invitation from a Russian legal entity, issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation (formerly the FMS), by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, or on the letterhead of the inviting organisation.
What is the validity period of a business visa for Maltese citizens?
The maximum validity period of a business visa for Maltese citizens is five years. At the same time, the permitted continuous or cumulative stay in the Russian Federation under multiple-entry business visas for all EU citizens must not exceed 90 days within each 180-day period.
If a Maltese citizen has not previously had Russian business visas but needs a business visa for longer than three months, the visa should be requested on the basis of an invitation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (electronic) or a telex. Such official invitations are issued immediately for 365 days with multiple entry, even if the applicant has never had a Russian visa before.
Types of business invitations for Russia for Maltese citizens:
- company letter;
- electronic invitation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- telex from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Invitation on company letterhead – this is a petition letter from a Russian organisation addressed to a Russian consular office and requesting that a visa be issued to a Maltese citizen. Such an invitation is issued in one day.
Electronic invitation is issued by the migration departments of the territorial bodies of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (the former Federal Migration Service) on the basis of a petition from the accredited organisation inviting the foreign citizen. The electronic invitation with a barcode is sent digitally to the database of the Russian consulate specified at the time the document is issued, and the applicant receives a printed form (copy) of the invitation by email. Only a printed copy is required for the visa application, as no original exists. The processing times for an electronic invitation for Maltese citizens are regulated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and range from 20 to 30 business days.
Telex – this is a direct instruction from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a Russian consular office. In this case, when applying for the visa, the foreign citizen only needs to provide the telex number (visa instruction number) given by the inviting party. Telex processing times for Maltese citizens are also 20 to 30 business days.
What is the difference between a telex and an electronic invitation?
If a Maltese citizen has already had Russian business visas before, we recommend applying for a written company invitation:
- A company letter is cheaper than a telex or an electronic invitation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
- It is issued online in five minutes – a copy of the invitation is sent by email immediately after the order is paid.
- With this type of invitation, it is possible to obtain a visa valid for two to five years (provided there are previous used multiple-entry visas to Russia), whereas an electronic invitation and a telex allow you to request a visa for a maximum of one year.
Important:
-
Business visa applications based on a company letter are processed at Russian consulates within 12 business days; expedited processing is not possible.
-
Citizens of Malta must provide this type of invitation (on company letterhead) to the consulate in original form if applying for a multiple-entry visa. You can order courier delivery of the original invitation to Malta from us.
How to quickly obtain an invitation on company letterhead for a Maltese citizen:
- Fill out a short online application form.
- Pay for the order by bank card on the website.
- Receive a copy of the invitation by email immediately after payment.
Apply for an invitation letter online
Price from €49
Electronic visa for Russia for Maltese citizens
The unified electronic visa is a visa document that allows foreign citizens to visit the Russian Federation without obtaining a regular visa sticker in the passport. No invitation to Russia is required to apply for this visa.
The electronic visa is intended for tourist, business, humanitarian and guest trips, as well as for participation in socio-political, economic and sporting events. The electronic visa is valid for 120 days from the date of issue. The permitted stay in Russia is no more than 30 days from the date of entry. The e-visa can only be single-entry.
To obtain an electronic visa, a Maltese citizen only needs a personal photo in digital format, a passport copy and an application form completed on our website.
Price from €84
Private (guest) visa for Russia for Maltese citizens
To visit relatives or friends, Maltese citizens should formally apply for a private visa. The inviting party must arrange a private invitation for the foreign citizen in accordance with Russian law. The inviting party may be a Russian citizen or a foreign citizen who has a residence permit. In practice, however, it is not that simple: here is why using a private visa is not recommended.
Validity period of a private visa
A private visa may be single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry. It is issued for a period from 30 days to one year and allows the foreign citizen to stay in Russia for the entire validity period of the visa without leaving the Russian Federation.
Obtaining a private visa by invitation
If a Maltese citizen is invited to the Russian Federation by a private individual, that person must apply to the relevant department of the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at the place of registration. If the inviting party is a company, the application is submitted to the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at the place of the company’s accreditation.
The invitation is issued on a Ministry of Internal Affairs form in paper or electronic format with an individual number. Processing takes up to 30 days: during this time, checks are carried out to determine whether the applicant has any criminal records, visa violations or administrative offenses. If a Maltese citizen violated Russian law during previous trips, the invitation will be refused.
Obtaining a private visa by application from a close relative
Since September 2021, Maltese citizens who are close relatives of Russian citizens may apply for a one-year private visa on the basis of a written application from the Russian citizen for the entry of their close relative into Russia.
Who is considered a close relative:
- parents;
- spouses;
- children;
- children’s spouses;
- full and half siblings;
- adoptive parents and adopted children;
- grandchildren;
- grandparents.
The Russian citizen must submit this application to the Russian Consular Section in Malta in person or through a Russian visa centre. If the applicant is in the territory of the Russian Federation, an original notarized application will be required to obtain the visa. It is also necessary to provide the original or a notarized copy of a document confirming close kinship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.) and recognized as valid in Russia.
Private visa for special cases
In exceptional circumstances, a private visa to Russia may be issued without an invitation – on the basis of a decision by the Ambassador or Consul of the Russian Federation in Malta upon written application from the foreign citizen. A private visa for special cases may be issued to a Maltese citizen who needs to enter Russia urgently due to a serious illness or death of a close relative, or for the purpose of receiving urgent medical care in the Russian Federation. The need for urgent entry must be confirmed by documents.
Apply for a private invitation to Russia for Maltese citizens
Our company does not arrange private invitations. In addition, we recommend a tourist visa or a business visa, as this takes less time. A private invitation must be arranged independently by contacting the Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation at the place of registration.
Work visa for Russia for Maltese citizens
A Maltese citizen must have a work visa to work legally in Russia. A work visa should not be confused with a business visa – only a work visa allows a foreign citizen to work officially and receive a salary. The invitation for a work visa is arranged by the employer who plans to hire the Maltese citizen. This is a complex and time-consuming procedure that includes several stages:
- Obtaining a work permit (handled by the employer company).
- Obtaining an invitation for a work visa valid for 90 days.
- Registering the foreign citizen for migration purposes upon arrival in Russia.
- Extending the work visa for the entire validity period of the work permit.
- Registering the foreign citizen for migration purposes for the entire validity period of the visa.
The maximum period for which a work visa may be issued is three years (for highly qualified specialists), and unlike a business visa, a work visa allows foreign citizens to stay in Russia for the entire validity period. In addition, a work visa may be extended without leaving the country.
Our company does not arrange work invitations.
Where can Maltese citizens apply for a Russian visa in Malta?
A Russian visa can be obtained through the Consular Section of the Embassy in Malta.
Russian consulates in Malta
As of October 2025, the diplomatic mission of the Russian Federation in Malta operates in Valletta.
Embassy of the Russian Federation in Malta, Consular Section of the Embassy (Valletta):- Address: "Ariel House", 25 Antonio Schembri Street, Kappara, San Gwann, SGN 4239, Malta.
- Phone: (+356) 21-371906 .
- Fax: (+356) 21-372131
- E-mail: rusconsul@onvol.net
- Website: malta.mid.ru
- Office hours: Monday from 11:00 to 14:00; Tuesday to Thursday from 09:00 to 12:00.
Visitors are accepted only by prior appointment.
Frequently asked questions
- Clarify the reason for refusal – request a written explanation from the consulate if it was not provided automatically. Please note that the consulate has the right to refuse a visa without giving reasons, and a request for clarification may also be denied.
- Correct any errors – double-check the documents (application form, invitation, passport validity) and reapply after correcting the issues.
- File an appeal – appeal the refusal through the consulate or court if it is unfounded, with the help of lawyers or the inviting party.
- Administrative fine – from 2,000 to 5,000 rubles for individuals and up to 500,000 rubles for the inviting party (for example, an employer or relative).
- Entry ban – in cases of serious violations (for example, illegal employment or visa overstay), entry to Russia may be banned for up to several years.
- Deportation – in cases of major violations, such as forged documents or illegal stay, deportation may be imposed, followed by entry restrictions.