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ineedanswers
Just Starting
Joined: 24 Jul 2004
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 8:48 am Post subject: Request for visa application help |
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Hey my name is Matt and I have been getting totally stressed out trying to figure out how to fill out my visa application. Having already boughten my ticket and commiting myself to the trip I don't want to be refused the visa.
I am going to visit my girlfriend in St Petersburg. She has had a Tourist voucher from Ost-West kontaktservice sent to me, and I am going to apply with the Russian Consulate General by mail filling out the application I found at www.consulrussia.org
(application at http://www.russianembassy.org/CONSULAT/Anketa04.doc)
So I have a few questions...
#1- I've seen a few websites saying that the visa application requires 3 passport sized photos, yet at consulrussia.org it says I simply need one glued or stapled on the application. So is it okay if I just send that one? Why would three be needed?
#2- I am going to be staying with my girlfriend in an apartment she'll find for us while I'm there, instead of staying at her place with her roomates. I won't be staying in a hotel. So for #39 on the visa application, where it asks for "name, address, and phone number of person or hotel in Russia that you plan to stay with".....what should I write? Her current address? This is the only possiblity I can think of... unless I wrote down ost-west kontaktservice. Is it okay to list her apartment address (even though we may be staying at a different place) for this tourist voucher?
#3- for #9 on the application it asks for "russian institution or organization to be visited (name and address, phone, fax number, e-mail, name of contact person)" Do I write ost-west kontaktservice and its information here?
#4- #10 on application asks for itinerary... On my tourist voucher it says (in russian, but I'll just sound it out in this print) "Saint-Petersburg guest. 'bel'uye no4i', Moscow gost. 'kosmos'" Should I copy this exactly on the application (including the "bel'uye no4i" and "kosmos")? Or just write spb and moscow? I plan on just being in spb, but this is what it says on my voucher... What exactly is the "bel'uye no4i" and "kosmos" next to spb and moscow (respectfully) anyways? Are they places to stay that I should be writing down for #39 (if so, is it okay if I don't provide the address, phone number, etc)?
#5- for #16 on application: "Name and reference number of tourist group".... this is defnitely for ost-west (and the reference number there have provided) correct?
#6- It asks on #17 whether I have medical insurance valid in russia. consulrussia.org says, "No medical insurance is officially required for the US citizens, unless they stay in Russia for 6 months or more" so does that mean it's okay for me to go ahead and write "no"? I will be there about 4 weeks.
Thank you so much for any help you can give me,
Matt |
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ashton
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Posts: 80
Location: US
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| Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2004 11:16 am Post subject: |
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#1- I've seen a few websites saying that the visa application requires 3 passport sized photos, yet at consulrussia.org it says I simply need one glued or stapled on the application. So is it okay if I just send that one? Why would three be needed?
You used to need three passport photos but it has now changed. They used to keep one on file and include one with your visa when the visa was not part of your passport. Now the visa is actually inside your passport so they only need the one. I think this just changed in the last year or so and the websites are not updated.
#2- I am going to be staying with my girlfriend in an apartment she'll find for us while I'm there, instead of staying at her place with her roomates. I won't be staying in a hotel. So for #39 on the visa application, where it asks for "name, address, and phone number of person or hotel in Russia that you plan to stay with".....what should I write? Her current address? This is the only possiblity I can think of... unless I wrote down ost-west kontaktservice. Is it okay to list her apartment address (even though we may be staying at a different place) for this tourist voucher?
There should be a hotel listed on the invitation letter. In order to get a tourist visa you have to show that you are staying at a hotel. Usually the travel agency just lists the name and address of a hotel that they deal with. Use this information on your visa application.
#3- for #9 on the application it asks for "russian institution or organization to be visited (name and address, phone, fax number, e-mail, name of contact person)" Do I write ost-west kontaktservice and its information here?
You can just leave that blank. I believe that question is if you are there for a different purpose.
#4- #10 on application asks for itinerary... On my tourist voucher it says (in russian, but I'll just sound it out in this print) "Saint-Petersburg guest. 'bel'uye no4i', Moscow gost. 'kosmos'" Should I copy this exactly on the application (including the "bel'uye no4i" and "kosmos")? Or just write spb and moscow? I plan on just being in spb, but this is what it says on my voucher... What exactly is the "bel'uye no4i" and "kosmos" next to spb and moscow (respectfully) anyways? Are they places to stay that I should be writing down for #39 (if so, is it okay if I don't provide the address, phone number, etc)?
Just put the cities and dates that you are traveling in this section. The bel'ye nochi and kosmos are probably hotels although I have never heard of a hotel called bel'uye nochi. If they give addresses, use them for Question two.
#5- for #16 on application: "Name and reference number of tourist group".... this is defnitely for ost-west (and the reference number there have provided) correct?
Yes you are correct.
#6- It asks on #17 whether I have medical insurance valid in russia. consulrussia.org says, "No medical insurance is officially required for the US citizens, unless they stay in Russia for 6 months or more" so does that mean it's okay for me to go ahead and write "no"? I will be there about 4 weeks.
I[color=blue] would put yes. I don't know if your US medical insurance is valid in Russia or not. I have always put yes in the past to avoid problems.[/color] |
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ineedanswers
Just Starting
Joined: 24 Jul 2004
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2004 3:22 pm Post subject: one more question |
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hey thanks a lot for your help Ashton,
I found that there is a hotel called belye nochi, and I have found the address online. However, to get the visa will I actually have to make reservations with the hotel (remember how I said my girlfriend and I will be staying elsewhere), or does simply listing the hotel qualify?
Also, does having this listed on my invitation mean that a room is reserved for me, or is it more of a suggestion for me to reserve?
Would I have to pay anything to them before I get there? Or pay daily... or when it is time for me to leave?
If I do have to reserve a room, is it possible for my girlfriend to go there beforehand and reserve the room... (and along with the previous question... would this have to be taken care of before applying for the visa?)
Thanks so much for the help so far and any more would be greatly appriciated |
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ashton
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Posts: 80
Location: US
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| Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 5:32 am Post subject: |
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found that there is a hotel called belye nochi, and I have found the address online. However, to get the visa will I actually have to make reservations with the hotel (remember how I said my girlfriend and I will be staying elsewhere), or does simply listing the hotel qualify?
You don't need to make a reservation. Usually the agency that sent you the letter just lists a hotel on the invitation as though you are staying there. You don't actually have to stay there. It is just a paperwork thing.
Also, does having this listed on my invitation mean that a room is reserved for me, or is it more of a suggestion for me to reserve?
It is neither, it is just a formality. In order to get a tourist visa, you have to show that you have a hotel reservation at a hotel. To get around this, agencies just list a hotel to satisfy the visa requirements. It is perfectly legal and normal. The Russian Consulate actually told me that this was the best way to do it.
Would I have to pay anything to them before I get there? Or pay daily... or when it is time for me to leave?
If you aren't going to stay at the hotel, you don't have to pay anything. |
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ineedanswers
Just Starting
Joined: 24 Jul 2004
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2004 1:33 am Post subject: question |
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thanks so much you've been a great help. I have sent out the visa application, hopefully all goes well.
Another question concerning where I am staying...
When I get to russia do I have to fill out the migration card saying that I am staying at the same place I put on my visa application? (Even if I am not staying there)
Will they do any kind of check to see if it's true... or do they just look to see u put it there? |
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ashton
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 08 Apr 2004
Posts: 80
Location: US
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| Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2004 2:02 am Post subject: |
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When I get to russia do I have to fill out the migration card saying that I am staying at the same place I put on my visa application? (Even if I am not staying there)
No, I don't think you have to list where you will be staying. I have done it many times and don't remember having to fill out where I would be staying. I could be wrong and just don't remember. If it does ask, just list the hotel as it is listed on your invitation.
Will they do any kind of check to see if it's true... or do they just look to see u put it there?
They really don't check anything. It is all just a formality. |
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