The recent thread speculating and announcing changes to the now implemented new Russian Federation can be found
here; it has been closed and is available for archival purposes, as the new program has been implemented.
Essentially, the new visa, which costs $180, may be issued for a period of up to three years, with multiple entries and stays up to six months, tourists, business, private or homestay travelers and humanitarian visitors. Tourists are still required to provide a voucher from a tour operator or a letter from a family member or other host; business travelers, private and homestay travelers and humanitarian workers are required to submit documentation from a Russian business. Other requirements and what may be asked by Russian officials are listed below and on websites discussing the new visa process in depth. (1- 3 day processing can raise the cost to up to $450.)
In essence, the old visa process required an official letter of invitation and was restricted to two entries within thirty days, at which point the visa expired.
Frequent Business Traveler says "Processing requires travelers to surrender their passports, and is expected to take 20 business days, but travelers in a rush can receive an expedited 30-day visa by applying under the old visa program."
The page discussing this on the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the United States of America
here discusses it in depth.
DEAR APPLICANTS
On September 9, 2012, the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States of America on the simplification of visa formalities for nationals of the Russian Federation and nationals of the United States of America came into force
and in part:
Code:
When applying for a tourist visa, in addition to the visa application form:
confirmation of the hotel reservation, a contract for provision of tourist
services, confirmation of reception of the tourist, and register number
from the Uniform Federal Register of the Tour Operators of the Federal
Tourism Agency.
In accordance with the
Agreement between the Russian Federation and the United States
of America on the simplification of visa formalities for nationals of the
Russian Federation and nationals of the United States of America
effective September 9, 2012, the US citizens shall as a rule be issued
multiple-entry business, homestay/private, humanitarian and tourist visas
(for a stay of no more than 6 months starting from the date of each entry)
that are valid for 3 years (36 months) from the date of issue of the visa.
The visas shall be issued based on direct written statements (faxed or
electronic copies) from Russian or American host organization or individuals.
When applying for a visa, in addition to the valid passport, photo and the
visa application form (submitted on the web site:http://evisa.kdmid.ru)
the applicant should provide the written statement from the host
organization or individual (direct invitation) in free form, which should
contain the following information.
Business Visa
When applying for a business visa in addition to the above mentioned
documents: the written statement from the host organization with the
full name of the host organization, its official address and contact
information,the full name and position of the person who signed the
statement (if the host organization is a legal entity or enterprise, an
institution or their affiliate established in the territory of the Russian
Federation – the individual taxpayer number), and basic information
regarding the visa applicant: the full name, date of birth, citizenship, sex,
passport number, multiplicity of the visa, purpose of travel, requested
period of entry, location of intended residence of the visa applicant, and
the cities to be visited.
US citizen is eligible for a 3-year multiple-entry business visa.
Visa fee - $ 180.00
Homestay/Private Visa
When applying for a homestay/private visa in addition to the valid
passport and the visa application form the following documents should
be provided: the notarized written statement from the hosting individual
with the full name, date of birth, citizenship, sex, passport number,
address of registration, and address of the actual residence of the hosting
individual, as well as the full name, date of birth, citizenship, sex, passport
number, multiplicity of the visa, purpose of travel, requested period of
entry, location of intended residence of the visa applicant, and the cities to
be visited.
The host individual could be either a Russian citizen registered on the
territory of the Russian Federation or a US citizen who has the permit to
stay on the territory of Russian Federation for more than 90 days (i.e. work
permit, common student multiple visa, diplomatic visa of the employee of
the USA diplomatic missions or consulates on the territory of the Russian
Federation).
US citizen is eligible for a 3-year multiple-entry homestay/private visa.
Visa fee - $ 180.00
Humanitarian Visa
When applying for a humanitarian visa in addition to the valid passport
and the visa application form: a written statement from the host
organization with the full name of the organization, its official address and
contact information, the full name and position of the person who signed
the statement (if the host organization is a legal entity or enterprise, an
institution or their affiliate established in the territory of the Russian
Federation – the individual taxpayer number), and basic information
regarding the visa applicant: the full name, date of birth, citizenship, sex,
passport number, multiplicity of the visa, purpose of travel, requested
period of entry, location of intended residence of the visa applicant, and the
cities to be visited.
US citizen is eligible for a 3-year multiple-entry humanitarian visa.
Visa fee - $ 180.00
Tourist Visa
When applying for a tourist visa in addition to the valid passport and the
visa application form: confirmation of the hotel reservation, a contract for
provision of tourist services, confirmation of reception of the tourist. The
abovementioned documents must register number from the Uniform
Federal Register of the Tour Operators of the Russian Federal Tourism
Agency and the seal of the host organization.
US citizen is eligible for a 3-year multiple-entry tourist visa.
Visa fee - $ 180.00
The Embassy and Consulates General of Russia have also the right to
request, if needed, additional documents/evidence which shows the
purpose and length of the applicant’s planned trip, the applicant’s financial
means sufficient for a stay in Russia and the applicant’s intent to depart
the Russian Federation after the trip:
- a bank statement from the applicant;
- a statement from the employer regarding the applicant’s wages for the
preceding year, half year or month;
- medical insurance valid in the country to be visited and fully covering the
period of the first trip;
- documents regarding the applicant’s ownership of property in the country
of his citizenship;
- a certificate on the makeup of the applicant’s family.
The Embassy and Consulates General of Russia also have the right to
request additional information and/or documents from applicants as may
be needed in particular cases.
The Embassy and Consulates General of Russia make decisions on visa
application, as a rule, within 15 calendar days from the date of the
initiation of their processing. The period of time for making a decision on a
visa application may be extended in individual cases, in particular when
scrutiny of the application is needed.
In urgent cases an expedited multiple-entry visa on the base of the direct
invitation of the host organization or an individual can be issued. The
period of time for making a decision on an urgent visa application may be
reduced to 3 working days. When making such a decision a Russian
Consular officer has the right to request additional documents confirming
the urgent need of an expedited visa (an airplane, ship or train ticket, a
«last minute» tourist tour, etc. shall not be considered as such
documents).
The Embassy and Consulates General of Russia continue issuing single,
double and multiple visas for the US citizens according to electronic, faxed,
telex, circular or other instructions from the Russian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and local offices of the Russian Federal Migration Service. Procedure
of issuing visas on instructions/invitations of the MFA and FMS remain the
same as before September 9, 2012.