Almost every foreigner who entering to Russia needs a visa. The exception are made for citizens of countries which Russia's government concluded a special agreement with. There’s the list of these countries. So if you are not from one of them follow further.
1. Choose a Type of Russian Visa
You should decide what kind of visa to Russia your need. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues several types of visas. You can see them here. And you should be sure that your country is not in the list of high migration risk countries. If you are the citizen of one of these countries you have to pay for visa more.
2. Take a List of Documents Required in the Russian Consulate Office
You should take a list of documents required in your local consulate office. Here you can see a common list. But different offices may ask for different sets of papers. The address, phone and website address of your local consulate post you can find here. Usually all the offices put the list of documents and all application forms on their websites. As so as Russian visa proccessing can take three weeks you should take care of it in advance.
3. Apply a Visa Support Document (Russian Invitation Letter)
- for tourist visa to Russia
When you get a list of documents you’ll see that one of the main point is a Russian invite. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls it Visa Support Document. If you need just a single or double entry tourist visa you can apply an invitation letter online right now. It costs $30. You can compare this price with the common prices. Usually the firms ask fifty dollars or even more.
(certified service)
Your invitation will be issued on the next business day. If you are in hurry you can get it on the same day. But in this case the letter will cost $45.
- for another type of visa
If you need another kind of visa to Russia you can apply an appropriate invitation online right now as well. Just choose your type of visa and apply.
(certified service)
4. Bring Your Set of Documents to the Consulate Office
Then you should take the complete set of documents required and bring it to the consulate office. There you have to pay a visa proccessing fee - usually from $50 to $100. Your visa must be issued not more than in 20 working days. The prices amplitude you can see here. And here are the rules determinating the responsibilities of consulate staff.
5. Get Your Visa to Russia in the Consulate Office
The issued Russian visa will be glued into your passport. It contains such a details. 
6. Register Your Visa After Entering to Russia
After entering to Russia you should register your visa within 3 working days. Most hotels in Moscow provide their customers with registration service for free. But you should specially ask for it on reception desk. If your hotel doesn't provide this simple service you'll have to make it yourself. You'll need to file your passport with the visa and migration card with a stamp of customs controls to the district passport office of Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. If you don't want to spend the whole day in the long tails contact me in Moscow and I help you to register your visa.
See you in Moscow)
P.S. The services are absolutely legal and provided by the certified Russian company dealing with foreign tourists and business travelers.
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