# US Citizen applying for 3 yr Visa, invitation letter question **URL:** \ **Category:** Travel to Russia\ **Created:** [February 27, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/us-citizen-applying-for-3-yr-visa-invitation-letter-question/310 "2026-02-27T00:50:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![marcelapa10](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@marcelapa10](https://forum.russiable.com/u/marcelapa10)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/us-citizen-applying-for-3-yr-visa-invitation-letter-question/310/1 "2026-02-27T00:50:59Z")
Hello, I need some clarification please on what dates to put down on our visa invitation request through i-visa. We are US citizens visiting St Petersburg for one week in June. Following the blog’s instructions, as US citizens, we would apply for a 3 yr visa. To do this, we would choose a multiple entry 30-day visa for the i-visa invitation. Then on the actual visa application, write down dates of 12-06-2026 to 11-06-2029. My question is what dates to write down on visa invitation. On the invitation letter application would I write down travel dates of 12-06-2026 to 11-07-2026 (30 day period starting the day we arrive?) We are flying in from Istanbul. I assume passport control is familiar with the 3 yr visa rule and so the invitation letter dates not matching our 3 yr visa dates, or the actual dates of our stay will not be a problem? How about on our migration card; are our stay dates filled in for our actual 7 day trip or 30 days like our i-visa invitation? I have heard that everything needs to match perfectly. I am trying to make our arrival and departure as hassle free as possible. Thank you for your help. ---
**Author:** ![Cal](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Cal](https://forum.russiable.com/u/Cal)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 5:05pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/us-citizen-applying-for-3-yr-visa-invitation-letter-question/310/2 "2026-03-01T17:05:04Z")
What type of Visa are you getting? Is this a Tourist Visa or a Private Visa? Both are 3-year, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Cal](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Cal](https://forum.russiable.com/u/Cal)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 5:24pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/us-citizen-applying-for-3-yr-visa-invitation-letter-question/310/3 "2026-03-01T17:24:01Z")
I can only tell you about how I did mine, which was a Private (Guest) Visa, not a tourist visa. The dates must match. In other words, for my dates: Date of arrival and departure: 03/07/2025 - 02/07/2028 that is asked on the visa application is also Date of arrival and departure: 03/07/2025 - 02/07/2028 that is shown on the invitation letter. You can enter Russia at any time in the 3-year window. What sounds strange to me is you say this: “_To do this, we would choose a multiple entry 30-day visa_ for the i-visa invitation.” I’m not sure why you say to apply for a 30-day visa if you intend to get a 3-year visa. Maybe it is something to do with the company you are using to apply. The invitation letter - passport control won’t usually deal with that. They will not ask for it nor will they check it. You can have a copy with you want. But the invitation letter is just something you need in order to GET the visa. They will also print out the migration card for you, you will not have to fill that out. My understanding is that at one time, we had to fill them out. But now the passport control does all of that for you. If it is a Private Visa you might want to do what I did - make an appointment at a Russian Consulate and submit there directly. The application is all online and then you print it out. If you give them a prepaid priority mail envelope, they will mail back your passports to you when the visa is ready. I chose Houston Consulate. Each consulate can have a bit different rules so do the research if you go that route. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Cal](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Cal](https://forum.russiable.com/u/Cal)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/us-citizen-applying-for-3-yr-visa-invitation-letter-question/310/4 "2026-03-01T18:36:01Z")
and you probably know this but write the dates European style, not USA style DAY / MONTH / YEAR ---
**Author:** ![Cal](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Cal](https://forum.russiable.com/u/Cal)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 6:37pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/us-citizen-applying-for-3-yr-visa-invitation-letter-question/310/5 "2026-03-01T18:37:57Z")
and don’t lose the migration card. I used super-sticky post it and “taped” it into my passport. You will probably have to pay a fine if you don’t have it to hand in when you leave. ---
**Author:** ![marcelapa10](https://forum.russiable.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@marcelapa10](https://forum.russiable.com/u/marcelapa10)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 3:19pm UTC](https://forum.russiable.com/t/us-citizen-applying-for-3-yr-visa-invitation-letter-question/310/6 "2026-03-02T15:19:13Z")
@Cal We are applying for a tourist visa. Thank you for your responses, Cal. Much appreciated. MPA