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Russian Tourist VISA from New York, USA

Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Russian Visa Forum

Author	Message
wanderingmonk Just Starting Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 3	Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:42 pm    Post subject: Russian Tourist VISA from New York, USA Hello, I have heard a lot about your site from 'Lonely Planet' Travel guide and also 'Google'. I work and live in New York, USA and have a work permit to stay here for atleast another 2 years. My country of citizenship is INDIA. Here's my itinerary: I plan to visit St. Petersburg/Moscow (1-2 days maximum) and then take a train to Petrozavodsk. I want to stay in Petrozavodsk for about 5 days and then return to St. Petersburg, and then take a flight to New Delhi (India). So basically it is New York to St. Petersburg/Moscow and then St. Petersburg/Moscow to New Delhi. I want to visit some of my friends in Petrozavodsk, Russia. My questions: a) Can I apply for a VISA in the Russian Consulate in New York? b) Any idea on how much proof of funds I need to show to the consular officer in my bank statements? c) Do I need to book a hotel in Advance for Petrozavodsk? I do not like to idea of booking a hotel for 5 days in advance especially because I would like to move on to another hotel depending on the location and what I like in Petrozavodsk. I might even stay 1-2 days at a friends place in Petrozavodsk, but that is not confirmed yet. Do I need to book a hotel in advance for St.Petersburg/Moscow? (I am going to stay there only for a day or two). d) Lonely Planet guide book suggests that "WayToRussia.Net" can provide INVITATION assistance. So I know that I can get the invitation from you. That is Good. But can you also suggest any reliable hotel in St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk? e) Since I am travelling for vacation to my home country through Russia, I will be carrying my Laptop, DSLR Camera, Handicam, Digital camera and some gifts for my friends and family in India. Will these pose a problem at Russian Customs? Is there any way I can leave a bag at the airport for few days and tour around Petrozavodsk and then take the bags while returning to India? f) Do I need to mention in my visa application that I may visit my friends in Petrozavodsk or can I skip this? My intention is tourism; but if possible I will also meet some of my friends there. So what is the correct and right way to project this? g) REGISTRATION - What about Registration? Do I need to register my visa in St. Petersburg or Petrozavodsk? Since I will be staying for more than 3 days in Petrozavodsk. So I think I will have to register my visa in Petrozavodsk. I read in Lonely Planet guide book that it is a "Restricted Place", so will the registration be a problem? Can I register my visa myself or I really need to go through the hotel person and pay them extra money? h) I think "WayToRussia" is a very trust-worthy site, so can you guys assist me with (1). INVITATION, (2) HOTEL-STAY, (3) CAR, (4) REGISTRATION, (5) SIGHT SEEING IN PETROZAVODSK? It will be really a great help. Please let me know how it works at my email. Thanks Once Again!
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romdur Lounge Lizard Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 189	Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 2:22 am    Post subject: Some answers: a) Yes, you can apply for your Russian visa in New York. Be prepared to show them your US work permit/visa: non-US citizens can only apply for a Russian visa at a consulate in the US, if they have residency status such as you have. b) There is no proof-of-funds requirement for US citizens, but I don't know whether it is required in your case. I guess, probably not. c) & g) Your best course of action, is to ask your friends in Petrozavodsk to find hotel and visa registration information for you. This may take them a couple of hours, but usually Russians are very kind about helping a foreign friend to visit. You wrote about "St. Petersburg/Moscow," these are different cities hundreds of miles apart, and it is not practical to visit both of them in a visit of one or two days. I hope that your flight is to St. Petersburg, and if you stop in Moscow, it will be only to change planes. (I think that it is much easier to get to Petrozavodsk from St. Petersburg, than from Moscow). Personally, I wouldn't like to arrive in either of these big cities, without having reserved a place to stay -- so I would book the hotel in advance. d) I can recommend a company in St. Petersburg that operates some mini-hotels (don't have the info handy right now). Regular hotels there can be super expensive. e) To be on the safe side, you can fill out a customs declaration form with all of your stuff listed, and get it stamped (go through the red channel). This way, when you leave Russia, your form will show that you are leaving with the same items you brought, avoiding any duty. f) On the visa application, put "tourism" for the purpose of your visit, and include all of the cities you will visit.
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wanderingmonk Just Starting Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 3	Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 9:32 am    Post subject: Thanks a lot for the information. Yes, Ideally I would want to fly to St. Petersburg because it is much easier to travel to Petrozavodsk from St. Petersburg. The reason I wrote St. Petersburg/Moscow is because I might get a better deal on a flight to Moscow... But yes my best bet would be to go to St. Petersburg and thanks I think I will book a hotel in advance.
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wanderingmonk Just Starting Joined: 21 Sep 2008 Posts: 3	Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 4:28 am    Post subject: Hello, I applied for the Visa INVITATION at this site (wayToRussia) and filled up their online form and all details (inlcuding credit card details). And I got an email from them later saying that they will not be able to help in providing the Visa Support documents. Is there any way I can get VISA Support documents. I am an INDIAN Living in USA (on a valid work VISA, valid for another 2 years). Here's their reply: ---------------------------------------- Dear customer, Unfortunately, VisatoRussia.com is unable to provide you with visa support due to the restrictions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For the moment we are authorized to provide visa support only for the citizens of European and North American countries. We are really sorry. With Best Regards www.VisaToRussia.com ---------------------------------------
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nikir Frequent Guest Joined: 17 Mar 2010 Posts: 54	Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:16 pm    Post subject: This situation has been discussed several times in the past. Do a search of the visa forum using some relevant keywords. I remember there were some visa companies mentioned that may be able to assist.
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