Time limit from Russian visa application until entering Russia?

Hi, I'm planning a trip to Russia in August 2016. I'll be traveling basically from Feb 2016 until I reach Russia, so I'd like to take care of getting the visa now. I'm wondering if there is any limit on by when I have to use the visa. Can I apply for it now and use it as far ahead as next August? Are there any restrictions around this? Been looking around but not seeing any info on this. Thanks!

You can normally only apply for a Russian visa at most 90 days before your planned entry date to Russia.

But as with many Russian rules, there is lots of room for special cases. If you are a US citizen, you have the option of applying for a three year multi-entry visa. If you were to apply now for a planned trip in (say) January, but then to have your plans change, well you would still have a three year visa in your passport.

Thank you. I am a US citizen, so I think I'll try that.

Also as an American citizen (not sure who else has to do it) you need an HIV test within a certain amount of time (I forget the specifics) but definitely look into that! I almost had problems getting my visa when I studied abroad in Moscow because I forgot to have the test done until the last minute!

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