Visa application at the Embassy in Moscow

Centralised processing, appointments, VisaMetric, fees, processing time, refusal.

Russian citizens need a national visa (D visa) for stays over 90 days and for work or study. Start on the Embassy's visa and entry pages.

Who takes the application

• The Embassy states: processing of all visa applications across Russia takes place only at the German Embassy in Moscow; the consulates general no longer process visa applications. The Consulate General in St Petersburg stopped its work on 18 September 2026; the Embassy in Moscow has taken over its tasks (germania.diplo.de).
• Since 1 June 2023 the Embassy outsources submission for most purposes to the external provider VisaMetric (number and places of the acceptance centres are not confirmed: the Embassy's notice names Moscow, St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Novosibirsk and is inconsistent on the count; whether St Petersburg continues is unknown). For national visas the appointment is booked online via the Embassy (RK-Termin); depending on the purpose the application may then be submitted at a VisaMetric centre. Personal appearance is required, with biometrics (notice on the procedure).
• Family members of a skilled worker should book together with the skilled worker; the Embassy calls this the way to fastest processing.
• Habitual residence in Russia must be proven at application. From abroad: Applying from a third country.

What to prepare

• Form (by hand or online via VIDEX), photos, passport, the documents for your purpose, fee. Funds: blocked account or declaration of commitment only (Money and EU sanctions). Russian documents need a German translation by a certified translator: Documents.
• Booking tip from the Embassy: give a Russian phone number or address.

Fees and time

• National visa €75; minors €37.50 (§ 46, § 50 AufenthV); exempt: § 52 (1) AufenthV. A visa centre charges a separate service fee. The service fee amount is not confirmed.
• The Embassy says the procedure can take from a few working days to several months; status enquiries are not answered in the first three months. Do not resign from work or book flights before you have the visa.

If the visa is refused

• The remonstration was abolished on 1 July 2025.
• Remedy: a lawsuit at the Administrative Court of Berlin within 1 month of service (§ 74 VwGO), or 1 year if the legal-remedy instructions are missing (§ 58 (2) VwGO); court costs apply. Or apply again with a better file.

Employers can use the fast track, see Skilled worker. After the visa: After arrival.