You want to get a Russian visa in China？I applied and got a tourist Russian visa in Beijing, China, in July 2019. I wasn’t a resident in China, just traveling with a one-month Chinese tourist visa. This article is written to help you to get a visa while on the road. I applied through the Visa Center and got my visa in 5 working days for about 70$US.

Why not just going to the embassy ? It will be cheaper, but you need an appointment before, and I had a hard time getting one. You’re welcome to try though, but please, share your experience if it worked for you! This is their website.

You can apply through the visa center in multiple cities around China : Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenyang. You can also apply in Hong Kong.

Apply for a Russian visa in the Beijing Visa Center

Opening hours

Application time : 8.30 to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday

Pick-up time : 2 to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday

Phone: 010-64669122

Email: info.pek@russiavisa-china.cn

What do you need to get a Russian visa ?

• Your passport
• A photocopy of the data page of your passport
• A photocopy of your Chinese visa
• One ID photo
• The Visa Application Form printed (find it on kdmid.ru)
• A photocopy of your insurance covering your stay in Russia
• A printed copy of the voucher or invitation letter
• Cash (cards or WeChat are not accepted)

Where to get a voucher or an invitation letter ?

We used Fortuna Travel, or also known as visatoruss and I paid 9.99€. I received the letter 4 hours later during a weekday. There are many companies that can provide this letter at different prices.

Location

Russia Visa Application Centre

Address : Xiao Guan No.56, Dongzhimen Wai Xie Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100010

Address in Chinese : 北京市东城区东直门外斜街小关56, 邮编

Baidu Map and GPS Coordinates : 39,9478033, 116,4448586

How to get there ?

Several metro stations are located near the place, but nothing really close. A few buses are stopping right in front of the embassy. The closest metro station is Dongzhimen, but you would need to walk approx. 20 minutes afterwards.

How long does it take ?

The basic service takes 5 working days. A working day is Monday to Friday. The day of your application is not taken into consideration in these 5 days. You can pay extra if you want a faster service. I applied on a Monday and got my visa the next Monday.

How much does it cost ?

It can vary depending on your nationality and the kind of visa you’re asking for.

As a French citizen I paid 514RMB (~70$US) for the slowest service (5 working days). This included the visa price for the embassy (274RMB) and the service fee of the visa center. It was in July 2019 for a tourist visa.

While you’re in Beijing, why not having an unbelievable experience by camping on the Great Wall of China ?

Information on the Visa Center :

You can print your document there for a steep 8RMB per page. There’s also a photocopy service for a more reasonable price.

You can take ID photos at the centre, and use internet for a high fee.

There are no ATMs within a 15-minute walk, so prepare your cash before.

My experience getting a Russian visa at the Beijing Visa Center :

I didn’t have any documents ready, so I asked around and found a printing shop at a more affordable 1RMB per page. It’s about 10 to 15 minutes away from the center. (GPS coordinates of the shop : 39.942545, 116.438496)

The nearest ATM was even farther, so I would recommend to bring cash before. There should be printing shops near most metro stations in order to photocopy and print every document you need.

I didn’t have to wait for very long and the center was not too crowded. You take a ticket and for your number to be called.

When it was my turn I showed every document and everything was accepted except my visa application form. I had not put any address. Instead of paying their fee to change the data, I left, did another form on my mobile, print it at the center and came back. They accepted my documents, I paid the fee for the visa and they gave me a pick up form.

I came back next Monday at 3.25pm and got my passport in a matter of minutes.

How to avoid paying extra fees?

The feedback I have from most applicants is that the staff always find an error on your visa application form, and often on your ID pictures. They offer the possibility to correct it, but the price is a rip-off. Here’s how to avoid it :

Address should be a Chinese one, for instance your hotel or a random one. The telephone number should also be a Chinese one, so put the one of your hotel if you don’t have a number. That being said, I was just Couchsurfing so I put a random hotel address with its number. It wasn’t a problem. I left my email address in case but they didn’t send me any message.

Current employer : I left this blank by saying that I was unemployed.

If they still tell you there’s a mistake, you could simply use your phone to correct or do another form. Using this technique you’ll still need to print the form though (2 pages), which you can do at the center. I paid 10RMB for 2 pages instead of 16 (8 per page) because I didn’t have any small change, and neither did they.

Don’t forget to make another photocopy of your passport and your Chinese visa, with the entrance stamp. Keep this photocopy for yourself. Carry it at all time because you’re surely going to need it. Example? Going to Tienanmen Square, entering the Forbidden City, booking a train ticket or checking in a hotel.

And of course enjoy Russia ! Let us know if you have any questions and we’ll try to help you the best we can.

If you’re headed towards Mongolia, we wrote a guide on how to get to Ulaanbaatar in the cheapest way possible !

Safe travels!