Visasam.ru: reviews & investigation
Visasam.ru is a real Russian visa and migration service, not a scam shop. But two different INN numbers in public records, a non-refundable consultation fee that starts the second you sign, and no public price list all deserve a hard look before you hand over any money.
Who is Visasam.ru and what do they do
Services: Visa processing (Schengen, USA, India, UK, Japan, Mexico, UAE and others), residence permit and citizenship consulting, foreign bank account and card setup (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan), consultations for foreigners seeking legal status in Russia.
Founded (claimed): 2014 — but the sole proprietorship behind the business registered with Russian authorities on September 13, 2017. That three-year gap is unexplained.
Legal form: Sole proprietorship (IP Sokolov Boris Alexandrovich), OGRNIP: 317527500107676.
Social reach: YouTube channel with 30,800+ subscribers, active Telegram channels, VK group with 8,465 members.
Operating office: Krasnaya Presnya St. 24, Moscow 123022
Registered address (EGRIP): Arzamas, Nizhny Novgorod region — roughly 400 km from the Moscow office. (That's a common setup for Russian sole proprietors, but worth knowing.)
Phone: +7 (495) 128-41-85
Website: visasam.ru — WHOIS
Pricing: India e-visa from 21,000 RUB (~$235); Schengen from 43,500 RUB (~$485); USA from 59,000 RUB (~$655). No public price list — quotes given after contact only.
Initial consultation: 10,000 RUB (~$110), non-refundable from the moment you sign.
Key finding: Their own marketing materials cited Schengen visa fees of 5,000–7,000 RUB. The investigation found current actual pricing at 43,500 RUB. That's a roughly 6x gap. Always get a written quote before you commit to anything.
Trust Score
Based on 2.89/5 from verified data points. Company is legitimate but carries notable contract and pricing transparency risks.
Who is behind Visasam.ru: checking the paperwork
The business runs under IP Sokolov Boris Alexandrovich — a sole proprietorship registered in the Russian state business registry (EGRIP) under OGRNIP 317527500107676, dated September 13, 2017.
Boris Sokolov is not hiding. He runs the company's YouTube channel, writes under his name on VC.ru and Pikabu, and his name appears on the company's published email addresses. That public presence is a good sign. It means there's a real person accountable if something goes wrong.
The INN discrepancy
Here's where things get interesting. Two different tax identification numbers (INN) appear in public sources for this company: 524303381327 and 370224144100. Both are linked to the same business. The investigation found no explanation for this. You can run both through the Russian Federal Tax Service registry yourself before paying anything.
Media registration and trademark
The site holds an official media outlet certificate: EL No. FS 77-80064, issued by Roskomnadzor on December 31, 2020. Trademark No. 734897 is also registered, confirmed through the Federal Institute of Industrial Property (FIPS). Those aren't things fly-by-night operations typically bother with.
Fraud and court record check
We checked baxov.net, plohotron.online, moshennik.eu, telltrue.net, and ScamAdviser. Visasam.ru doesn't appear in any of them. No court cases or regulatory warnings from the Central Bank of Russia or other agencies were found. Check Web Archive for historical snapshots of the site going back to its early days.
Bottom line: The company is real, the owner is identifiable, and the legal registration checks out. But the INN discrepancy and the gap between claimed founding year (2014) and actual registration date (2017) are questions you should raise with them directly before signing anything.
Visasam.ru risk analysis: 5 things to know
| Area | Risk | What we found | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | medium | No public price list. Quotes only given after contact. Marketing materials show prices 6x lower than actual current rates found in investigation. | India e-visa from 21,000 RUB (~$235); Schengen from 43,500 RUB (~$485); USA from 59,000 RUB (~$655). Always get a written quote first. |
| Contract | high | 100% prepayment required. Initial consultation fee of 10,000 RUB (~$110) is non-refundable from the moment of signing. One client reported paying with no written contract at all at the initial stage. | Demand a written contract before any payment. Understand exactly which parts of the fee are refundable and under what conditions. |
| Timelines | medium | India e-visa in 1–2 business days; Schengen 5–10 days. Client reviews confirm these ranges. But no contractual deadline guarantees were found in public contract terms. | Timelines are realistic for most standard applications. Ask for a written estimate. If your trip date is firm, confirm delays are compensated somehow. |
| Risks | medium | Visa and account outcomes depend on consulates and foreign partner banks — not Visasam.ru. This is honestly stated in their contract. Partner banks can and do change policies mid-process. | You're buying document preparation and submission, not a guaranteed result. If a partner bank stops issuing cards, the company has handled this by offering alternatives (with documented refunds of price differences). |
| Refunds | high | Consular and bank fees paid to third parties are not returned on denial. The 10,000 RUB consultation fee is retained regardless of outcome. Refund terms for the service portion are not publicly documented. | Before paying anything, ask in writing: what portion of the total fee is refundable and under which specific conditions. Get the answer in the contract, not in chat. |
Visasam.ru: red flags and green lights
| ✅ | Owner is publicly identifiable. Boris Sokolov runs the YouTube channel (30,800+ subscribers), publishes under his name on VC.ru and Pikabu, and his contact details appear in company materials. Not a ghost operation. |
| ✅ | Legally registered sole proprietorship. OGRNIP 317527500107676, registered September 13, 2017 in the Russian EGRIP registry. Active status confirmed. |
| ✅ | Official media outlet certificate. Roskomnadzor issued certificate EL No. FS 77-80064 on December 31, 2020. The site is registered as an official media publication — a step that carries legal obligations. |
| ✅ | Registered trademark No. 734897. Investing in brand protection signals long-term intent. Scam outfits rarely bother. |
| ✅ | Clean across all fraud databases. Not found in baxov.net, plohotron.online, moshennik.eu, telltrue.net, or scamadviser.com. No Central Bank warnings or regulatory alerts. |
| ✅ | No court cases found. Yandex Maps shows 5.0 stars from 101 reviews, with the most recent dated December 15, 2025. Zoon.ru shows 4.0 from 16 ratings. Complaints about non-delivery of paid services do not appear in the record. |
| ⚠ | Two conflicting INN numbers in public records. INN 524303381327 and INN 370224144100 both appear linked to this business. No explanation found. Verify directly with the Russian Federal Tax Service before paying. |
| ⚠ | Personal email addresses used for business. Staff communicate from @mail.ru and @yandex.ru addresses alongside the corporate email. That's informal for a 10-year-old company and creates accountability gaps. |
| ⚠ | Non-refundable 10,000 RUB consultation fee kicks in at signing. Not when work starts. Not when documents are submitted. The moment you sign. That's an aggressive clause worth negotiating. |
| ⚠ | Legal registration address (Arzamas) doesn't match the Moscow office. This is common for Russian sole proprietors, but clients visiting the Moscow office should confirm it's genuinely staffed year-round and not just a mailing address. |
| ❌ | 100% prepayment with no guaranteed results. Consular fees and foreign bank charges are not returned on denial. The contract is clear about this — but many clients may not read that clause until it matters. |
| ❌ | At least one client paid with no written contract. A Yandex Maps reviewer described the initial payment stage as happening "without a contract or any guarantees." That's a serious procedural gap, regardless of how the service ultimately went. |
| ❌ | No public price list. You learn the actual cost only after a consultation. Given the gap between stated marketing prices and actual investigation findings (5,000 vs. 43,500 RUB for Schengen), this opacity is a real concern. |
What Visasam.ru actually does: beyond the marketing copy
Visasam.ru built its audience primarily as a content site: hundreds of articles about visa rules, travel tips, and emigration guides. The YouTube channel has nearly 31,000 subscribers and covers topics from Kyrgyz bank cards to Moldovan residence permits. That informational layer is genuinely useful and free.
The paid services are a separate thing. And the two don't always match up neatly. The site reads like a helpful resource; the contract terms read like a standard commercial intermediary with no skin in the game on outcomes.
Bank account and card services
This is where the business has grown most visibly since 2022. Russians needing foreign banking options discovered Visasam.ru through its Telegram channel and YouTube content. The pitch: get a Kyrgyz mBank card delivered to your Russian address by courier, without traveling. The same service applies to Kazakh bank cards.
Client reviews from May–October 2023 describe the process working: IIN number first, card application second, SDEK courier delivery within one to three weeks. When one partner bank stopped issuing cards, the company reportedly offered alternatives and refunded price differences. That's not nothing — it suggests actual client management, not just taking money and disappearing.
But the fees are real money. A Kyrgyzstan mBank card starts at 20,999 RUB (~$235). A Bakay Bank card starts at 42,000 RUB (~$465). Compare that with the government fee for the account itself (essentially zero). You're paying for the coordination, the paperwork, and the language barrier. Decide whether that's worth it for your situation.
Visa services
India e-visa processing takes 1–2 days per client reports. Schengen takes 5–10 days, which aligns with normal consulate windows. The company claims to handle USA, UK, Japan, Mexico, Cyprus, and dozens of other destinations.
What they don't do: guarantee approval. Their contract says this explicitly. They prepare and submit; the consulate decides. That's honest. But it also means you can pay 43,500 RUB (~$485) for Schengen processing and still get a refusal with no service fee returned.
Visasam.ru vs competitors: is it worth the price
The highlighted column is the company under review. best worst mixed
| Parameter | Visasam.ru ★ | iVisa.com | VisaHQ | DIY (yourself) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India e-visa service fee | from ~$235 (21,000 RUB) expensive | from ~$32 cheapest | from ~$40 | $0 service fee; ~$25 gov. fee only best |
| Schengen service fee | from ~$485 (43,500 RUB) expensive | Not offered for most countries | from ~$50 | $0 service fee; ~$80 gov. fee best |
| Public pricing | No — quote on request worst | Yes, full price shown online best | Yes, shown before checkout best | Yes (government fee schedules public) |
| Physical office | Moscow office confirmed yes | Online only | Online only | Embassy visit required |
| Contract clarity | Written contract exists but non-refundable upfront fee mixed | Clear terms, refund policy stated clear | Clear terms online clear | No contract needed |
| Russian language support | Full Russian support yes | Limited partial | Limited partial | Depends on consulate |
Service fee comparisons based on publicly available data as of February 2026. Exchange rate used: 90 RUB/$1. DIY costs exclude time and potential errors.
What to check before paying Visasam.ru
- Contract: Ask for the full service agreement in writing before transferring any money. Read the cancellation and refund clauses word for word. If they won't send it before payment, that's your answer.
- INN verification: Two tax identification numbers appear in public records (524303381327 and 370224144100). Run both through the Russian Federal Tax Service EGRIP registry and ask the company to explain which one is correct and why two exist.
- Payment structure: If possible, pay in stages: IIN registration first, card application second, delivery third. Don't wire the entire package fee at once until you understand what each stage covers and what happens if it doesn't complete.
- Refund terms: Get written confirmation of exactly what portion of the total fee is refundable, under which specific conditions, and within how many days. "We'll work something out" is not a refund policy.
- Consultation fee: Know before you sign that the 10,000 RUB (~$110) initial consultation fee is non-refundable from the moment you sign the contract, not from when work actually starts. That's not standard. Push back on it.
- Timeline guarantee: Ask whether any written delivery deadline exists in the contract. If your travel or business dates are fixed, a vague "typically 5–10 days" won't protect you if the process runs long.
- Bank partner identity: For foreign card services, ask the name of the specific partner bank, check its license independently through the national regulator of the relevant country, and confirm the bank is still actively issuing cards to foreign clients at the time you're applying.
- Specialist contact: Before any payment, get a direct phone number and email address for the specific person handling your case. A general info@ address is not accountability.
Frequently asked questions about Visasam.ru
Is Visasam.ru a legitimate company or a scam?
Visasam.ru is a legitimate, registered business — not a scam. The sole proprietorship (IP Sokolov Boris Alexandrovich, OGRNIP 317527500107676) has been active since September 2017, the owner is publicly identifiable, and no fraud database or court record flagged it. That said, the contract has aggressive terms (non-refundable upfront fees, 100% prepayment) and pricing is not transparent. So "legit" and "risk-free" are two different things here.
What visa services does Visasam.ru actually offer?
Visasam.ru handles tourist, business, and e-visa applications for a wide range of countries: Schengen zone, USA, India, UK, Japan, Mexico, UAE, Cyprus, and others. They prepare documents, fill application forms, and submit to consulates. They also consult on residence permits and citizenship options in several countries, and help foreigners seeking legal status in Russia (RVP, VNJ, Russian citizenship).
How much does Visasam.ru actually charge? The website prices seem low.
Their marketing materials have cited prices like 5,000–7,000 RUB for Schengen visas. The investigation found current prices starting from 43,500 RUB (~$485) for Schengen, 21,000 RUB (~$235) for India e-visa, and 59,000 RUB (~$655) for USA. These are service fees on top of official government and consular charges. Prices are not publicly listed, so always request a written quote for your specific case before signing anything.
Does Visasam.ru guarantee my visa will be approved?
No. Their contract explicitly states that visa and bank account decisions are made by foreign consulates and financial institutions, which are outside Visasam.ru's control. This is accurate — no agency can guarantee a consulate's decision. What you're buying is document preparation and submission, not a guaranteed result. Budget accordingly.
What happens to my money if my visa or bank application is denied?
Consular and bank fees paid to third parties are non-refundable on denial — that's standard across the industry, since the money goes to the government body, not the agent. The 10,000 RUB (~$110) initial consultation fee is also retained from the moment you sign. The refund policy for the remaining service fee portion is not publicly documented. Before you pay, get the full refund policy in writing as part of your contract.
Can I get a foreign bank card through Visasam.ru without leaving Russia?
Yes. Visasam.ru coordinates with partner banks in Kyrgyzstan (mBank from 20,999 RUB / ~$235; Bakay Bank from 42,000 RUB / ~$465) and Kazakhstan to open accounts and deliver cards by courier. Clients report receiving cards within one to three weeks. The process involves remote identity verification (video call) and delivery via SDEK or postal service. Ask upfront which bank they'll use and confirm that bank is still actively issuing cards to Russian clients at the time you apply.
Where can I leave a review about Visasam.ru?
You can leave a review on migration.us.com and on proverj.com, where this investigation was sourced. Client reviews also appear on Yandex Maps (search "Visasam.ru Krasnaya Presnya") and on Zoon.ru. Your experience — good or bad — helps other people make a more informed decision.
Expert verdict on Visasam.ru
I've been watching the Russian-language immigration services market since I moved to New York in 2011. Visasam.ru is not a scam operation. Boris Sokolov built something real: a content platform that draws genuine traffic, a registered business, and a service that client reviews confirm actually delivers for most people. That's the honest starting point.
What concerns me is the financial structure. A 10,000 RUB consultation fee that's locked in the moment you sign — before any work starts — is aggressive. Combined with 100% prepayment and consular fees that won't come back on denial, you're taking on significant downside risk for a service that explicitly promises no guaranteed outcome. That's a lopsided deal. Not illegal, but worth knowing.
The INN discrepancy genuinely puzzled me. Two different tax numbers in public records for the same business is unusual. It may be a data entry error somewhere in a registry. But it's the kind of thing you'd expect a 10-year-old company to have cleaned up by now. Ask them about it directly and watch how they respond.
On the positive side: the media registration, the trademark, the active YouTube channel with real content, and the clean fraud-database record all point to a company that plans to be around. Scam shops don't build 30,000-subscriber YouTube channels or register trademarks.
My honest assessment: if you need Russian-language visa support and you verify the current price in writing before you sign, this company will probably deliver. For routine visa and bank card services, the risk is manageable. For anything involving large sums or complex immigration situations, I'd spend time negotiating the contract terms — specifically the upfront consultation fee and the conditions under which the service portion is refundable. Those are not fixed facts of life; they're negotiable starting points.
Read what other clients say before you decide. Real experiences from real people tell you more than any investigation alone can.
Don't get burned
A 100% prepayment requirement and a non-refundable upfront fee make it extra important to know what other clients actually experienced with Visasam.ru. Read the reviews before you sign anything.
Read real reviews about Visasam.ru