In order to enter the Russian Federation, you must have a valid visa in your passport and register upon arrival:
NOTE:

• In order to apply for a visa, you must first apply for and receive an official "Letter Of Invitation" from the Department of Immigration (OVIR) in Russia
• After you have received your official "Letter Of Invitation," you can apply for your visa in person at a Russian Embassy in your country or by mail through a visa agency.
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expiration of your visa
• You MUST register within 72 hours of arriving in your destination city, and in every city where you will be spending 72 hours or more.
• You MUST depart Russia before the last day indicated on either your visa or your registration (whichever is sooner).
• Any violation of Russian immigration laws will result in a fine of over 400,000 Rubles ($13,300).

No vaccinations are required to enter Russia. You may be required to prove your HIV/AIDS status in order to apply for certain visas.

PLEASE ALLOW AT LEAST 10-12 WEEKS TO GET YOUR VISA!

Wherever you choose to make your application for a Russian visa, you must include an official "Letter of Invitation" from the Department of Immigration (OVIR) in Perm with your application.

To get an official "Letter of Invitation" through YWAM Perm, you must send us the following information: (* = Required)

1. *A scanned copy of your Passport (the pages with your information and signature) and any previous Russian visas
2. *Date of Birth
3. *City of Birth
4. *Home Address
5. *Name of Employer (In full, no abbreviations!)
6. *Employment Address
7. *Employment Position (Title and Responsibility)
8. *Specify exact beginning and ending dates desired for visa to Russia
9. *Specify the Russian Consulate where you will apply for your visa (country and city)
10. *Receipt of your application fee Contact Us for the amount
11. *Receipt of your letters of recommendation from your pastor and one or two other leaders

NOTES:

• All official Letters Of Invitation require a minimum of 7 (seven) weeks to process once we have received all of the information listed above and your application fee. There is no option for faster processing, so be sure to begin far enough in advance.
• When your official Letter Of Invitation is ready, we can send you high-quality scanned copies by email, or send you the originals by courier service (DHL or FedEx which will require an extra fee). Be sure to ask the visa agency you will be using if they require the original Letter Of Invitation document, and include payment for courier services with your application fee.
• The Letter of Invitation that you receive from YWAM Perm will be for a "Religious Worker" visa. Follow the directions for obtaining a "Business Visa" at the Russian Embassy website.

PLEASE ALLOW AT LEAST 10-12 WEEKS TO GET YOUR VISA!

Please Note: All visa agencies have different requirements, and may change these requirements at any time. Check with the visa agency you plan to use for application forms and visa requirements. You will be require to include an official Letter Of Invitation from the Department of Immigration (OVIR) in Perm along with your visa application. Be sure to ask the agency that you will be using if they will require the original Letter Of Invitation document or if a high quality scanned copy is sufficient.

Resources:

• Website: www.russianembassy.org
• Visa Section: www.russianembassy.org/CONSULAT/BSN-VISA.HTM

PLEASE ALLOW AT LEAST 10-12 WEEKS TO GET YOUR VISA!

YWAM Perm doesn't actually issue visas. For staff, students, and volunteers that have made arrangements to come visit us here in Perm, we are able to help get an official "Letter Of Invitation" that can be used to apply for a visa in your own country.

The process of getting a Letter of Invitation takes 7 weeks from the time that we receive all of your information and your application fee. There is no option for faster processing, so be sure to begin the process far enough in advance.

Depending on the requirements of the visa agency or Russian Embassy you choose to use, you may need to have the original Letter of Invitation document sent to you by courier service such as DHL or FedEx. This will take an additional 7-12 days.

Once you have the official Letter Of Invitation, you will need to apply for a visa at a visa agency, Russian Embassy, or Russian Consulate in your country. The visa application process will take at least 10 working days plus time in the mail. Each agency, Embassy, or Consulate has its own application form and list of required documents, be sure to check with them for all the details.

If you are arriving in Perm by airplane or train, we can help arrange transportation for you to the YWAM Perm Missions Center.

Taxis can be very expensive when arriving at the airport or train station, so Contact Us in advance, we can help arrange transportation for about 600 Rubles from the airport or about 400 Rubles from the train station.

If you do take a taxi, our address is: "Ulitsa Superfosfatnaya, 6."
That is located in the "Kislotniy Dachiy" neighborhood near the bus stop called "Bolnitsa".

The cost of your trip and stay in Perm will vary depending on how long you stay, the number of people you are traveling with, and what you plan to do while you are here.

We are unable to post a list of prices here, but we would be more than happy to help you plan a detailed budget if you Contact Us.

Every part of your trip will be "Pay-As-You-Go." You will have complete control of your own budget, and can plan more or less ministry, travel, meals, or other activities based on how much they cost.

In general, you'll need to plan for the following:

• "Letter Of Invitation"
• Visa
• Travel tickets
• Transportation to/from the YWAM Missions Center
• Food
• Housing
• Ministry
• Transportation around the city and region
• Internet access
• Laundry and personal supplies
• Snacks
• Souvenirs and gifts
• Gifts or donations to ministries or projects in Perm

Yes! We are here to serve the needs of both short and long term missionaries as they fulfill God's calling on their life.

• We offer a 6 month Discipleship Training School (DTS) where you will spend up to 90 days in Russia studying God's Word, discovering His character, and learning how to hear His voice.
• Short term volunteer opportunities are available for up to 90 days at a time. This is the maximum that we are able to offer due to Russian visa limitations.
• Long term opportunities are available for those who are willing to make a commitment to serve in Russia 3-4 years or more.

Please Contact Us if you are interested in coming to serve in Russia!

We would be happy to have you come work with us for 1 year in Perm, Russia as staff or as a volunteer.

However, due to Russian visa laws, the longest you can stay in Russia on a visa is 90 days at a time. Visas are NOT renewable from within Russia. You will be required to leave Russia for 90 days and return to your home country in order to apply for a new visa.

Two ways to get around this 90 day limitation are to:

1. Enroll in an acredited Russian university and come on a student visa, or
2. Apply for a "Temporary Residence Permit."

Each of these methods require a large time commitment greater than one year. If you are interested in coming to Russia long-term, please contact us personally using the Contact Form and we will work with you.