A visa is an endorsement in a passport that grants a given person permission to enter the territory of a state, to leave that territory, or to travel through it.

Visas are classified as entry, exit, or transit visas, issued by the competent authorities of a state for a fixed period. Most states apply a permit-based entry system for foreigners, meaning that a foreigner may enter only if their passport carries the corresponding visa.

At present, citizens of the Russian Federation may visit 110 countries around the world without a visa, provided they hold a valid How to Get a Foreign-Travel Passport (nnov.ec). For a number of other countries, however, a visa will still be required.

Documents for a Schengen visa

The main documents required to obtain a short-stay Schengen visa:

  • A completed visa application form, filled in Russian (in this case the words must be written in Latin letters), in the national language, or in English, and signed personally by the applicant.
  • One color photograph (3.5 x 4.5 cm).
  • A foreign-travel passport and a copy of the passport page bearing the photograph and personal data. The passport must be signed and must remain valid for more than 3 months after the requested visa's expiry date. Passports are accepted without additional covers.
  • Proof that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover the expenses of the trip, for example: a bank account statement, traveler's checks, credit cards (with a bank statement confirming the available balance), an invitation (original and copy).
  • Medical insurance with coverage of €30,000, valid throughout all countries of the European Union. The insurance policy must cover the entire period of validity of the visa and all planned days of stay.
  • An original certificate from the place of work:
    • for employees: a certificate from the place of employment, issued on organizational letterhead, stating the position, length of service, and salary;
    • for private entrepreneurs: a copy of the certificate of registration as an individual or legal entity, as well as the certificate of tax registration (INN);
    • for students: a certificate from the place of study, and, in the case of travel during the academic term, a certificate permitting absence from classes.
  • Copies of passport pages bearing previous Schengen visas.
  • If the applicant is a minor traveling alone or with only one parent, a copy of the written consent of the non-traveling parent(s) or guardian to the child's trip is required, or, if such consent cannot be obtained, documents confirming the reason for its absence (a single-parent certificate or other documents).

Persons who are not citizens of Russia must additionally present:

  • a Russian visa (allowing return to the Russian Federation) or a residence permit;
  • a registration valid for 3 months from the planned date of return from the trip;

For tourist trips:

  • Confirmation of full payment for a booked hotel room, or confirmation of your trip from a travel agency.
  • The original and a copy of round-trip tickets, or a document establishing the right to use an available means of transport.

For trips on private invitations — a visit to relatives or friends:

  • An invitation (original and copy).
  • The invitation (original and copy), in the form of a letter from the inviting person to the invited person, must contain the following information:
    • The surname and first name, address, and telephone number of the inviting person.
    • The surname and first name, address, date of birth, and passport number of the invited person.
    • The time, duration, and place of the trip.
    • Details on the degree of kinship between the invited and inviting persons. If the parties are not related, confirmation is required of where and when the parties previously met in person.
    • Details of who is taking responsibility for the expenses related to the trip.
    • The invitation must be notarized. A copy of the first page of the inviting person's passport must be attached to the invitation. If the inviting party is not a citizen of the European Union, a copy of the residence permit must be attached.

Specific rules are determined by the consulate of the country in which you are obtaining the visa.

Where to get a visa in Nizhny Novgorod

A visa can be obtained in Nizhny Novgorod at the consulate or embassy of the country you wish to visit, as well as at visa centers and travel agencies when purchasing a tour package.

Embassies and consulates in Nizhny Novgorod

At present, visas can be obtained in Nizhny Novgorod at the embassies and consulates of the following countries:

Czech Republic

Honorary Consul: Oleg Alekseevich Kolobov
Address: 603005, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Piskunova Street, 27a, office 53, 5th floor
Tel.: (831) 419-15-01, 430-47-29, 8-910-382-68-75
Website: www.czhcons.nn.ru

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Honorary Consul: Kim Oleg Chanbokovich
Address: 603001, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhne-Volzhskaya Embankment, 17/2
Tel/fax: (831) 430-16-87

Republic of Austria

Honorary Consul: Titov Yuri Mikhailovich
Address: 603005, Nizhny Novgorod, Piskunova Street, 29, office 40
Tel/fax: (831) 418-51-00, 415-11-81

Italian Republic

Honorary Consul: Guido Sagone
Address: 603000, Nizhny Novgorod, Korolenko Street, 29
Tel/fax: (831) 421-62-52

French Republic

Honorary Consul: Gennady Petrovich Ryabov
Address: 603155, Nizhny Novgorod, Minina Street, 31A
Tel/fax: (831) 436-85-73

Visa centers in Nizhny Novgorod

The following visa centers currently operate in Nizhny Novgorod:

Italian Visa Center

Address: Bolshaya Pecherskaya Street, 31/9
Tel.: 215-22-15

Joint Service and Visa Center

Processes visas for Greece, Spain, Denmark, Bulgaria, Malta, and, from June 3, the Czech Republic.
Address: Osharskaya Square, 16
Tel.: (831) 461-94-98

Cost of a visa

The consular fee for processing a visa application is 35 euros for Russian citizens. If you obtain a visa through a travel agency or visa center, a service fee will be added on top of the consular fee.

See also