Way to Russia Talk Lounge

CNDreamer

Long story short, a local friend introduced me to a family member who is a Russian citizen. ive been talking to her for 1 year. This local friend has since taken a job in another province and I have not been able to get a hold of him. I plan to make a trip to Russia to visit her and to see some of the city. (Ulyanovsk) So I ask her for some advice.

I know I can search and I did that, so I will ask all my specific questions in this thread.

My planned departure date is Jan 8th, but I think I might not be able to get everything done before this date. My passport will not be mailed to me until Dec 8th (approx) and according to the Russian Embassy's website here in Canada, it says 15 working days to process a visa and there is no expediating this procedure.

What about via this website? I assume they can't get me a visa any faster than if I were to go through the embassy, right? And being the holiday season, I'll assume this takes away working days from processing the visa, yes?

Is this entirely doable before Jan 8th? Or is it just crazy for me to think about it? I dont want to push the date back because I have the time off work and it works out great for me.

Also, I dont have an invite yet either. (since I dont have the passport). But I understand that the hotel in Ulyanovsk can provide this for me? Is that a better way to do it than to go through this website?

But now for some other questions. I will be traveling straight to Ulyanovsk upon landing in Moscow. But what should I say is my purpose of visit? Can I say tourism? I will be staying in a hotel, by the way. Also, it is required that I show proof of airplane tickets for Moscow to Ulyanovsk before I can get the visa?

Thanks in advance.

nikir · Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 10:37 am Post subject:

Let's clear up a couple of misconceptions.

This website can do nothing to grant a visa for you. That is solely at the discretion of the embassy (or consulate).

WTR can provide an invitation to support a visa application. If you are applying for a tourist visa then this invitation can be faxed or emailed.

You need to get all your documentation together and send it to the embassy. I think that it would be doable in your timeframe. If you get your passport on the 8th and have everything ready to go that day. You may well find that the embassy will work through to December 31st and then have a 10 day break. Check their website or give them a call.

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1071

CNDreamer

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1071

Passport on 8th, you will have 17 working days. Count them. It will bring you to the 5th of January.
Talk with them, because else you are screwed
They are the experts. I used to have faster service.

CNDreamer · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:40 am Post subject:

tmac100 · Frequent Guest Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 14

My son did the leg work for me in Ottawa and sent the passport to me with the Russian visa. In Ottawa the consular staff is VERY professional, but 15 days is 15 days. the visa was ready on the 15th day and in the mail (my son did that).

Pluck all the strings you want. I just hope you can song along for the 15 working days it will take to get your visa to Russia.

No exceptions means NO exceptions. Their rules, "not ours".

CNDreamer · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2008 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Visas..

tmac100 · Frequent Guest Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 14

Phone the consular services in Ottawa and ask them your specific questions. I found them really helpful..

Good luck. I do NOT know anything except what happened in my particular situation.

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1071

CNDreamer · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 9:24 am Post subject:

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1071

If I remember in the past , it was almost $600 for an instant visa.

CNDreamer · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 12:12 am Post subject:

I called them today but they say 15 days is the fastest they can do. And it still costs 350 bucks.

Non canadian citizens can get a visa the same day for 300 bucks. But Canadians get the shaft. WTF?

Oh well, i'll soldier on, thanks.

CNDreamer · Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

so what about the invitations offered through this site? Can I use that, and then travel to ulyanovsk and stay at the hotel there and register my visa? I think this would save me much time if I could do this. Or should I have an invitation specifically for where I will be spending most of my time?

acanthus · Just Starting Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

try andrew@russianvisashop.com

he does our business and tourist visas and will easily sort out a tourist invitation or business one overnight for you, not expensive and they have an excellent service.