Guidance note 11
Multiple entry and long-stay invitations
Multiple-entry visas need an invitation that says so from the outset. The number of entries is not something a consulate adds later, and long-validity visas such as the three-year tourist visa offered to some nationalities depend on both the category and your passport.
Section 1Entries are fixed when the invitation is issued
The invitation states how many entries you are requesting, and the consulate works from that. Deciding after the fact that you need a second entry means a new invitation and a new application.
This is the most common reason travellers pay twice. A trip that includes a side visit to a neighbouring country needs at least a double entry, and that must be declared before the document is produced.
Section 2Long-validity visas by nationality
Some nationalities are eligible for tourist visas valid far longer than a single trip, with United States passport holders the best-known example of a multi-year tourist visa. Eligibility comes from bilateral arrangements, not from paying more for the invitation.
A multi-year visa still limits how long you may stay per visit and in total across a rolling period. Long validity is not permission to live in the country.
| Visa pattern | Who typically qualifies | Invitation needed |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry, 30 days | Most consular tourist applicants | Tourist invitation |
| Double entry, 30 days | Applicants with one side trip | Tourist invitation, double stated |
| Multi-year tourist | Selected nationalities under bilateral terms | Tourist invitation supporting the request |
| One year business multiple | Business travellers | Migration authority invitation |
Section 3What to state when you order
Say how many entries you need, the full span of travel and the categories of trip you expect, so the invitation supports the visa you actually want rather than the cheapest one.
- Number of entries, not just the first arrival
- The earliest departure and the latest return in your plans
- Whether any leg is business rather than tourism
- Any neighbouring country you intend to cross into and back from
Important
An invitation letter is a supporting document. It does not guarantee a visa: consular officers decide every application.
Questions
Can I get a 3-year invitation letter for Russia?
Long-validity tourist visas are available to selected nationalities under bilateral arrangements, and the invitation is issued in support of that application. Eligibility depends on your passport, not on the document alone.
Can a single-entry visa be upgraded?
No. Entries are set when the visa is issued, so the request must be right at the invitation stage.
Does a multiple-entry visa let me stay continuously?
No. Limits apply per stay and across a rolling period, and they are printed on the visa.
Is a multiple-entry invitation more expensive?
Business multiple-entry support costs more because of the approvals behind it. For tourist categories the difference is smaller.
Sources
Rules and fees on this page are checked against the primary authorities below. Where they disagree with us, they are correct.