Guidance note 07
How to check a Russia invitation letter
Checking an invitation before the appointment takes a few minutes and prevents the most avoidable refusal of all. Two things matter: that the issuer is entitled to issue visa support, and that every character on the document matches your passport and your application.
Section 1What to verify on the document
Check the issuer's registry number, the unique confirmation number, and your own data against the passport bio page. A genuine invitation carries a traceable reference for the organisation and a number the consulate can quote back.
| Item | How to check it | If it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer registry number | Present, legible, matches the named organisation | Do not file; ask the issuer |
| Confirmation number | Unique, printed in the header, no handwriting | Request a reissue |
| Your name | Character-identical to the passport MRZ | Reissue before applying |
| Passport number | Matches the bio page including letters | Reissue |
| Travel dates | Cover the trip and sit inside passport validity | Reissue |
| Stamp and signature | Present on the document | Question the source |
Section 2Warning signs of a document you should not file
Treat handwriting, missing registry numbers, mismatched names and pressure to pay through untraceable channels as reasons to stop. A document that cannot be traced to a registered issuer is worse than no document, because filing it puts your record at risk.
- No reference or confirmation number anywhere on the page
- Corrections made by pen over printed fields
- The issuing organisation cannot be identified or contacted
- A promise of a guaranteed visa, which no issuer can give
- A free invitation offered by an unnamed source
- Dates or spellings that do not match your passport
Section 3Checking your visa status is a different thing
Verifying an invitation and tracking a visa application are separate processes. The invitation is checked with the issuer before you apply; the application is tracked with the consulate or visa centre after you file.
People searching for a way to check a Russian visa by passport number are usually at the second stage. The invitation number will not show a visa decision, and the consulate's tracking will not validate an invitation.
Important
An invitation letter is a supporting document. It does not guarantee a visa: consular officers decide every application.
Questions
Can I check a Russia invitation letter online?
You verify it with the organisation that issued it, using the confirmation number printed on the document. Reputable issuers can confirm a letter they produced; there is no single public database open to travellers.
How do I know the issuer is registered?
Tourist invitations carry the operator's federal registry number. An issuer that cannot show you that number should not be used.
Are free invitation letters real?
Documents offered free by anonymous sources are a common source of refusals. A registered operator charges a fee because issuing the document carries obligations.
What if I spot a mistake after I have applied?
Tell the consulate or visa centre rather than correcting anything yourself. An altered document is treated far more seriously than a declared error.
Sources
Rules and fees on this page are checked against the primary authorities below. Where they disagree with us, they are correct.