01 september
On private visas for close relatives
The rule for issuing private visas for close relatives was amended by the Federal Law No. 270-ФЗ of 1 July 2021 "On Amendments to the Federal Law" On the Procedure for leaving the Russian Federation and entering the Russian Federation "and Article 5 of the Federal Law" On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation". The law came into force on 1 September 2021.
According to these amendments, the term “joint travel” for foreign relatives has been abolished. Instead of this, a simplified procedure for issuing private visas for the above category of citizens is currently in place. As before, a private visa is issued on the decision of the head of a diplomatic mission or a consular office of the Russian Federation, upon a written application from a Russian citizen. The term “close relatives” has been significantly expanded. Now it includes spouse, parents (adoptive parents), children (adopted), spouses of children, full and step-brothers and sisters, grandparents, grandchildren. The application must include the complete data of the applicant and the invited person, as well as the intended route of travel and residence in Russia.
At the same time, such an application can now be certified in the Russian Federation by a notary and then sent to a foreign relative for submission of documents without the presence of the inviting party. In addition to the application, it is also necessary to present all documents confirming the relationship (taking into account a possible change in surname). These documents must be submitted in their original form or their copies should be certified by a Russian notary.
According to these amendments, the term “joint travel” for foreign relatives has been abolished. Instead of this, a simplified procedure for issuing private visas for the above category of citizens is currently in place. As before, a private visa is issued on the decision of the head of a diplomatic mission or a consular office of the Russian Federation, upon a written application from a Russian citizen. The term “close relatives” has been significantly expanded. Now it includes spouse, parents (adoptive parents), children (adopted), spouses of children, full and step-brothers and sisters, grandparents, grandchildren. The application must include the complete data of the applicant and the invited person, as well as the intended route of travel and residence in Russia.
At the same time, such an application can now be certified in the Russian Federation by a notary and then sent to a foreign relative for submission of documents without the presence of the inviting party. In addition to the application, it is also necessary to present all documents confirming the relationship (taking into account a possible change in surname). These documents must be submitted in their original form or their copies should be certified by a Russian notary.
