Gift-giving, however, happens tonight, as back when Russia was communist giving gifts on Christmas was officially frowned on.

How festive is the Christmas season in Russia? Contrary to what you might expect, it’s actually quite festive, as Gadling’s Meg Nesterov discovered:

“I arrived in Moscow last Friday (western Christmas Eve) to find the capital freezing but festive, with New Year’s yolki (trees) decorated all over the city and various versions of Ded Moroz walking the streets, and now in St. Petersburg, locals are rushing home with Champagne and Charlie Brown-like trees under their arms. Nearly every public square has a large decorated tree and every store has elaborate holiday displays.”

If you want to head to Russia to bask in the Christmas spirit for just a little bit longer, you will need a Russian visa. Unfortunately, the process of getting said visa might be enough to wipe the holiday cheer from your heart, especially if you try to obtain one on your own. The Department of State notes that “Russian visa requirements are highly complex, and U.S. citizens must take care that they do not unintentionally violate entry and exit regulations.”

Here’s what you’ll need to get a visa if you plan on entering Russia as a tourist:

• Your passport.
• A completed visa application form
• 1 passport photo
• A copy of your airline tickets or a copy of your itinerary showing your flight number and the dates that you’ll be in Russia.
• A tourist invitation from a Russian travel agency or hotel that can serve as your visa sponsor. The hotel or travel agency must be registered with the Russian government.

When applying for a Russian visa, a visa agency like RushMyTravelVisa can be a tremendous help. When you submit your application through us, you get personal assistance from a dedicated visa specialist. Your caseworker will answer any questions you might have and review your paperwork to catch common mistakes that could delay your visa. Then, we expedite your visa application with the appropriate Russian Embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Russian visa today!

This is not as easy as it sounds. Russia has a visa system that the US Department of State’s website calls “restrictive and complicated.”  Here’s a list of what you need to get a Russian tourist visa:

• Your passport.
• A completed visa application form
• 1 passport photo
• A copy of your airline tickets or a copy of your itinerary showing your flight number and the dates that you’ll be in Russia.
• A tourist invitation from a Russian travel agency or hotel that can serve as your visa sponsor. The hotel or travel agency  must be registered with the Russian government.
• A hotel voucher from your hotel.

The Russian visa system can be difficult to navigate on your own. To make sure your vacation happens as planned, you might want to consider using a visa expediting company like RushMyTravelVisa.com.  We can research your situation and make sure you have all the required documents. We can also obtain a tourist invitation letter for you if one of is not provided by your travel agency.

Plus, we’ll provide you with a helpful checklist with clear, easy-to-follow instructions for filling out the paperwork and sending it in. Then, we’ll forward it to the appropriate Russian consulate for expedited processing.

By using an expediting company, you’ll get personal, professional help navigating Russia’s complex visa system.  With RushMyTravelVisa.com, you can spend less time on paperwork and more time preparing for your trip.

Apply for your Russian visa today!