Get a letter of invitation or travel support (for Russia tourist visa)

What is a Letter of Invitation or Travel Visa Support Letter ?

This is the most important document that you need to present but should not be confused for a hotel reservation. A Travel Visa Support letter is not the same as a hotel voucher/reservation. A hotel voucher is not necessary to get you a visa but a Travel Visa Support letter will.

What is the difference ?

A hotel voucher may be obtained by booking a hotel through various entities such as the hotel itself, hotel booking engines such as booking.com , travel agents .

A Travel Support Letter (one that is required by the Russian embassy) must come from an authorized Russian Travel Agency or Russian Hotel.

Where to get it ?

Option 1: Email your hotel in Russia and ask for it. 

Option 2: Get it from your local travel agent to lessen the stress and hassle of getting one.

Option 3: Get a letter on your own. 

Option #3 gives you the freedom to shop around. Please bear in mind that the travel support letter is not free nor does it have a fixed price. My best option was to look for the most affordable service fee i can find.

The travel support letter fees i found in the net ranges from 30usd to as high as 60usd per applicant. 

Here's what a Travel Support Letter looks like :

TRAVEL SUPPORT LETTER 

There are 4 important components (encircled in violet) of the Travel Support letter that should appear in your application form:

1. Name of the Host Company

2. Address of the Host Company

3. Reference Number

4. Confirmation Number

Note : The hotels and travel dates declared in your travel support letter must be the same as in your application form.

And here's how to complete the Russian visa application form .