East-West Church & Ministry Report
Vol. 2, No. 2, Spring 1994, Covering the Former Soviet Union and East Central Europe


Practically Speaking:
Visa Application Requirements for Travel to East Central Europe and the Former Soviet Union

Matt Miller

The visa application process for travel to the countries of East Central Europe and the former Soviet Union is in flux.  The political developments of the past several years have both simplified and complicated the process: a few nations have abolished entry visas for travelers from most countries, while travelers now need up to fifteen separate visas to travel through the former Soviet Union.

While most countries have their own specific visa application procedures, certain requirements are common to most states in the region.  Due to variations in these requirements for travelers from different nations, this article will only address the procedures required for citizens of the United States.  For current information on visa requirements for West Europeans traveling to East Central Europe and the former Soviet Union, contact visa offices listed in Europa World Yearbook (London: Europa Publications Limited, 1993).

  1. Visas can be obtained directly from national embassies or through tourist agencies serving these areas.  Applications may be submitted by mail or in person.
  2. Different types of travel usually require different types of visas.  The period of time  allowed by a visa varies based on the request of the traveler.  Transit visas are only valid for the length of time required to travel through the country.
  3. The following table lists the primary offices for visa processing of each nation.  Most nations require a visa application form, supplied by mail or fax upon request.  Larger nations may operate offices in several large cities. Call the primary office listed for details.
  4. Applicants must also submit the following:
    1.  a. passport (not a photocopy)
       b. photograph (passport-size, black and white or color)
       c. self-addressed, stamped envelope or prepaid express mail form
       d. money order or certified check, payable to the embassy or consulate (nonrefundable)
  5. In addition, most countries require a letter of invitation or copy of hotel vouchers.  Letters of invitation must be approved by local authorities in the host country.
  6. The time required for visa processing averages one week, not including mailing time.  Express processing is often available for a higher fee. 
Country Visa Office:
   Address
Visa Office:  Phone
                        Fax
                        Hours
Visas:
   Types and Costs,
   Processing Times and (Length)
Albania Embassy of Albania
1511 K Street NW
Suite 1010
Washington DC 20005
202-223-4942
202-628-7342
M-F 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
General Visa: Not necessary
Armenia Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
Consular Division
1660 L Street NW
Suite 210
Washington DC 20036
202-393-5983
202-393-5962
M-F 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tourist, Private, or General Visa: 
With invitation $30--5 days    $50--3 days
Without invitation: $50--5 days (21 days)
                                   $70 - 3 days (21 days)
Multiple-entry Visa : $200--5 days (1 year)
Transit Visa : $20--5 days
Multiple-entry Transit Visa : $50--5 days
Azerbaijan Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan
927 15th Street NW
Suite 700
Washington DC 20005
202-842-0001
202-842-0004
M-F 9 a.m.-12 noon
General, Business, Transit, or Multiple-entry Visa: No fee--21 days
$70--Fewer than 15 days or fewer than 5 days for Business Visa
General Visa: $30--7 days
$60--2 days $100--1 day
Transit Visa : $20--7 days
Belarus Embassy of the Republic of Belarus
1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington DC 20009
202-986-1606
202-986-1805
M-F 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Entry or General Visa: Not necessary
Bosnia-Herzegovina Mission to the United Nations for the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina
UN Plaza 866, Suite 580
New York NY 10017
212-751-9015
212-751-9109
M-F 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Entry Visa: Not necessary for stays less than 1 month.
Bulgaria Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria
1621 22nd Street NW
Washington DC 20008
202-483-5885
202-234-7973
M-F 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
$34--7 days  $64--1 day
Business Visa: $34--7 days $64--1 day
Transit Visa: $24--2 days
Double Transit Visa: $44--2 days
Croatia Embassy of the Republic of Croatia
2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington DC 20008
202-588-5899
202-588-8936
M-F 10 a.m.-12 noon & 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Tourist, Business, or Transit Visa:
$9--2 days; express processing--1 day
Czech Republic Embassy of the Czech Republic
Visa Section
3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW
Washington DC 20008
202-363-6308 or 6315
202-966-8540
M-F 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Entry Visa: Not necessary for stays less than 1 month.
General Visa: Available from local authorities after arrival in the Czech Republic (1-6 months).
Long Stay Visa: $21--70 days (more than 6 months)
Estonia Estonian Consulate
630 5th Avenue, Suite 2415
New York NY 10111
212-247-1450
212-262-0893
M-F 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
General Visa: Not necessary for stays less than 3 months.
Residency Visa: Available from local authorities after arrival in Estonia (more than 3 months).
Georgia Embassy of the Republic of Georgia
1511 K Street NW
Suite 424
Washington DC 20005
202-393-5959
202-393-6060
M-F 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
General Visa: $30--7 days
$60--3 days  $100--1 day
Multiple-entry Visa: $300--7 days
Hungary Embassy of Hungary, Consular Section
3910 Shoemaker Street NW
Washington DC 20008
202-362-6769 or 6730 
202-686-6412
MWF 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Entry Visa: Not necessary for stays less than 3 months.
General Visa: Contact embassy for details (more than 3 months).
Kazakhstan Embassy of Kazakhstan
3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington DC 20007
202-333-4507 
202-333-4509 
M-F 9 a.m.-12 noon 
Tourist or Business Visa: $30--7 days
$50--3 days   $100--1 day
Multiple-entry Visa: $120--7 days
Kyrgyzstan Consulate of the Kyrgyz Republic
1511 K Street NW
Suite 707
Washington DC 20005
202-628-0433
202-347-3718
M-F 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
General Visa: $30--5 days
$50--3 days $80--1 day
Multiple-entry Visa: $100--7 days (1 year)
All applicants for general and multiple-entry visas must submit 2 photos.
Latvia Embassy of Latvia
4325 17th Street NW
Washington DC 20011
202-726-8213
202-726-6785
M-F 10 a.m.-12 noon
Entry or Multiple-entry Visa: $5--14 days (up to 3 months)
General Visa: Available from local authorities after arrival in Latvia (more than 3 months).
Lithuania The Lithuanian Embassy
2622 16th Street NW
Washington DC 20009
202-234-2639
202-328-0466
M-F 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Entry Visa: $25--2 days (up to 3 months)
An additional fee may be charged if a visa is needed immediately.
General Visa: Available from local authorities after arrival in Lithuania (more than 3 months).
Macedonia Office of the Republic of Macedonia
1015 15th Street, Suite 402
Washington DC 20005
202-682-0519
202-682-2339
M-F 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Entry Visa: No fee - available at entries into Macedonia. Not available in the US.
Moldova Embassy of the Republic of Moldova
1511 K Street NW
Room 333
Washington DC 20005
202-783-4218
202-783-3342
M-F 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Tourist or Business Visa:
$30--1 month (1 month) $50--5 days (1 month)
$60--1 month (3 months) $80--5 days (3 months)
$120--1 month (6 months) $130--5 days (6 months)
Transit Visa: $10--1 month $30--5 days
Double Transit Visa:  $20--1 month  $40--5 days
Poland Consulate General of the Republic of Poland
1530 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago IL 60610
312-337-8166
312-337-7841
M-F 9 a.m.-1 p.m. &  2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Entry Visa: Not necessary for stays less than 3 months.
General Visa: Available from a tourist agency after arrival in Poland (more then 3 months).
Romania Embassy of Romania
1607 23rd Street NW
Washington DC 20008
202-232-4747
202-232-4748
M-F 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Entry or Business Visa:
$32--Single-Entry--20 days
$68--Multiple Entry--20 days
Single Transit Visa: $22--20 days
Double Transit Visa: $32--20 days
Russia Russian Consulate General
9 East 91st Street
New York NY 10128
212-348-0626
212-831-9162
M-F 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Tourist, Private, or Business Visa:
$20--14 days $30--7 days
$60--3 days $100--1 day
All applicants for tourist, private, and business visas must submit 3 photos.
Slovakia Embassy of the Slovak Republic
2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Suite 380
Washington DC 20007
202-965-5164
202-965-5166
M-F 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Entry Visa: Not necessary for stays less than 1 month.
General Visa: $85--7 days (1-6 months)
Long-Stay Visa: $6--90 days (more than 6 months)
All applicants for general and long-stay visas must submit 3 photos.
Slovenia Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia
1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW
Washington DC 20036
202-332-9332
202-667-4563
M-F 10 a.m.-12 noon & 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Entry Visa: Not necessary for stays less than 3 months. 
General Visa or Business Visa: Available from local authorities after arrival in Slovenia (more than 3 months). 
Tajikistan Russian Consulate General
9 East 91st Street
New York NY 10128
212-348-0626 
212-831-9162 
M-F 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The Russian Consulate currently processes visas for the Republic of Tajikistan. However, visas can only be processed at the request of the Foreign Ministry of Tajikistan. Applicants should contact the Foreign Ministry via an acquaintance in the country or a tourist agency providing services in the country. 
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Mission to the United Nations
136 East 67th Avenue
New York NY 10021
212-472-5921 
212-628-0252 
M-F 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 
Entry or General Visa: Not necessary 
Ukraine Embassy of Ukraine
3350 M Street NW
Washington DC 20007
202-333-7507 
202-333-7510 
M-F 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 
Tourist, Private Visitor, Business, Multiple-entry, or Transit Visa:  $30--14 days $60--1 day 
Uzbekistan Consulate of the Republic of Uzbekistan
866 United Nations Plaza
Suite 326 
New York NY 10017
212-486-7570 
212-486-7998 
M-F 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 
Tourist or Business Visa: $40--10 days (7 days) 
$50--10 days (14 days) $60--10 days (30 days) 
Group Tourist Visa: 
$15--10 days (15 days) $25--10 days (30 days) 
Express processing--2-9 days--fee doubled 
Urgent processing--1 day--$100 
Yugoslavia 
(Serbia & 
Montenegro)
Embassy of Yugoslavia
2410 California Street NW
Washington DC 20008
202-462-6566 
202-462-2508 
M-F 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 
Tourist, Business, or Transit Visa: No fee--7 days 

Matt Miller is an M.A. candidate at the Wheaton College Graduate School and graduate assistant of the Institute for East-West Christian Studies, Wheaton College.


Matt Miller, "Visa Application Requirements for Travel to East Central Europe and the Former Soviet Union," East-West Church & Ministry Report, 2 (Spring 1994), 10-11.

Written permission is required for reprinting or electronic distribution of any portion of the East-West Church & Ministry Report.

© 1994 East-West Church and Ministry Report
ISSN 1069-5664


EWC&M Report | Contents | Search Back Issues | From Our Readers | Subscribe
Feedback