Questions and answers

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What is a visa?

Visa is an authorization for a foreign citizen to enter the country issued by the representative of the Government of this country.

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Who issues visas for Russia in Sweden?

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Stockholm and the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Goteborg are representatives of the Russian Federation that are authorized to issue visas to Russia in Sweden.

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How do I know if I need a visa?

Citizens of Sweden and the EU need a visa to travel to Russia.

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Is the visa valid for Russia only?

Russian visas are valid for Russia only.

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Can the Russia visa application center prepare the visa application for me?

The employees of the Russian visa application centers will be pleased to fill in your electronic visa application (additional service).

But we don’t provide services of collecting and preparing supporting documents.

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How do I apply for a visa to Russia?

Step by step guide

Step 1:

Select your nearest visa center. Visa applications are accepted at Interlink Service Russian Visa center in Stockholm or Goteborg

Step 2:

Be very clear about your purpose of visit - our Visa Centers will help you through the entire visa application process but we are not permitted to advise or guide you on choosing your purpose of visit.

Step 3:

Please go to the respective “Visa Category” page to learn about short stay visas and the required documents.

Step 4:

Please check the requirements carefully and fill in an online visa application form which is available at https://visa.kdmid.ru/

Step 5:

Book an appointment on our website.

Please make sure that there is enough time to process your visa application before the expected departure date. See “Rates and terms” tab on the page of your visa category.

Step 6:

Print out your visa application form and come to submit your application in person to the Visa Application Centers in Stockholm or Goteborg.

Please note that at the time of submission you need to have all the documents and visa fees corresponding to your nationality and visa category.

Alternatively you can use our Postal service (additional service) for your convenience.

Step 7:

Collect your passport at the Visa Center.

You will need to present the original receipt given to you during the submission which will be collected from you as a proof of delivery of your passport.

Please make sure you have a copy of it if you require it for your records.

Alternatively you can use our courier delivery for your convenience.

Step 8:

Once your passport is collected, check the validity of the visa issued to make sure that it corresponds to the requested period of stay and number or entries, and that it is valid for the purpose of your trip.

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How much time does it take to process an application?

Standard processing time is 4-20 working days and urgent processing takes 1-3 working days from the date of delivery of documents to the Embassy or Consulate of the Russian Federation.

Kindly make sure all your documents are complete at the time of submission of your application in order to avoid any further delay or inconvenience.

In some cases your passport can be retained by the Embassy or Consulate for 30 days for processing of visa application.

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When can I apply for my visa?

Applicants can submit visa applications not earlier than 6 months prior to the date of travel to Russia.

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Do the visa centers have anything to do with the visa decision?

No.

The staff of the visa application center doesn't have any authority or influence with regards to the visa decision.

Our job is purely administrative in nature and we cannot influence or expedite any decision.

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Can I confirm all my travel bookings before receiving the visa?

It is not recommended to confirm bookings or travel arrangements until the visa decision is ready, unless it is obligatory for your visa application.

Interlink Service will not be responsible for any expenses caused by delay in processing or visa refusal.

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Can I apply via post? Can I send my application directly to the Embassy or the Consulate of the Russian Federation?

You can’t send your application by post to the Embassy or the Consulate.

But you can submit your visa application by post to the Visa center.

You can send your visa application, passport and supporting documents by post using our additional Postal Service.

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Where can I get the correct photograph requirements?

Please visit Photo requirements section of our website.

If your photograph does not meet the mentioned specification you can take a photograph for a visa at our offices (additional service).

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I have created an electronic visa application form. How do I know if it has been saved?

Before filling in your online application form you need to register on the website https://visa.kdmid.ru/.

Please write down your user name and password generated by the system.

By logging into your account next time you will be able to see all saved application forms that you have created.

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Which type of passport should I select from the options available in the visa application form - Diplomatic, Official or Tourist? 

A diplomatic passport is issued for official international travels related to intergovernmental relations.

Official passport (service passport, also special passport) is issued to public servants and their dependents for official business travels.

A tourist or an ordinary passport is a document issued by the national government for private international travels, it certifies the identity and the nationality of its holder. 

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Can I edit the online application form once it is printed?

Yes.

Please follow this link https://visa.kdmid.ru/RetrievePage.aspx, enter your application ID and click on “Retrieve electronic visa application form”. On the next page enter all the required information. Please note that you will need to enter first 5 letters of your surname in CAPITAL letters. After you have entered all the required information please click on “Get a new draft ID” and then click “Next” on the following page. Kindly note that by selecting “Get a new draft ID” you will not delete the application form you have already created and it will be available for amendments/correction.

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How do I retrieve the form if I have not completed it?

Please follow this link https://visa.kdmid.ru/RetrievePage.aspx, enter your application ID and click on “Retrieve electronic visa application form”. On the next page enter all the required information. Please note that you will need to enter first 5 letters of your surname in CAPITAL letters. After you have entered all the required information please click on “Get a new draft ID” and then click “Next” on the following page. Kindly note that by selecting “Get a new draft ID” you will not delete the application form you have already created and it will be available for amendments/correction.

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Can I use my digital signature to sign the application form?

No.

You cannot use your digital signature for the application form.

The application form needs to be printed out and signed with a pen.

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Can I pay the fees online?

No. 

All fees are paid at the time of submission by debit or credit card only.

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Do I have to have an appointment to submit my application?

At the Russian visa center we accept documents only by appointment.

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Where can I find the fees and checklists corresponding to different visa categories?

Please open the “Visa Category” tab to check the list of available visa categories.

Once you select a category you will find several tabs containing information on the visa fees, documents required, processing time, photo specifications.

Please review this information carefully before submitting your application.

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If I have filled in an application form for a minor – who should sign the application?

Applications for minors (under the age of 16) must be signed for by the parent or guardian otherwise they cannot be accepted.

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Do I need to submit originals of any documents when applying for a visa to Russia?

The applicant shall submit the following documents in originals: passport, printed and signed visa application form with a photo.

Other documents are provided in copies, unless the originals are required to submit applications for certain visa categories.

As a general rule the submitted documents, except the passport, are not returned. In certain cases the originals may be requested by the Embassy or the Consulate after receiving the submitted application.

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How do I know on which days will the visa centers be closed?

Russian visa centers are closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on non-working holidays in Sweden.

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What happens once I get to the visa center? How do things work?

Once you arrive at the visa center you will bу asked to introduce yourself and show your appointment confirmation. Then you will be requested to wait your turn in the applicant waiting area. While waiting your turn to submit please make sure that all the required documents are ready. Incorrect documentation or photo can cause a delay in acceptance of your application.

At the counter the officer will check your documents, accept your application if it corresponds to the requirements, collect the respective fees and issue an invoice (receipt). Estimated processing time will be informed, however we will not be able to provide you the exact date. We recommend to use our SMS notification service (additional service) to get information once your passport is received back with a decision.

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What fees will I need to pay?

A visa fee corresponding to the selected visa category and a service fee.

All fees are paid at the time of submission by debit or credit card only.

CASH IS NOT ACCEPTED.

Please refer to the "Rates and Terms" section of the respective visa category.

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What should I do after filling in the online visa application form, is it required to make any notes?

Please write down your system generated Application ID and password.

You may need them to access your online application form to reprint it to make necessary corrections.

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Do I need to come in person to submit or collect my documents?

You can submit and collect your documents in person, through a representative with a power of attorney or using the Postal Service (additional service).

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Will I get my visa when the application is processed?

The Russian visa center cannot guarantee that the visa will be issued.

The issuance or refusal of a visa is at the sole discretion of the respective diplomatic mission.

The Russian visa center cannot influence this decision in any way.

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If I have received Russian visas in the past do I have to submit a full set of supporting documents when applying for a new visa?

Yes.

All applications for Russian visas need to be submitted along with all the respective supporting documents even if you applied for Russian visas before.

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If I have a Russian visa which is still valid at the time of submission can I have 2 visas at the same time?

No.

Please be aware that in case you have recently been granted a Russian visa which is still valid at the time you are submitting a new application you should also provide the passport in which this visa is pasted because the Embassy or Consulate will need to cancel it.