| Author |
Message |
kbohac
Just Starting
Joined: 18 Jan 2010
Posts: 2
|
 Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:04 pm Post subject: Can I really apply for a business visa? |
 |
|
My husband I am are planning a driving trip from Scotland to Siberia (Vladivostok) this May-August. I'm not sure what to do about the Russian visas. I've read on this site that you can apply for a business visa, even if you are not going for business. Is this really true? How does this work? I think a double entry business visa is our only option since we will require longer than the 30 days allowed with a tourist visa. We will first enter Russia from Kazakhstan, drive through the Altai Republic region and cross the border into Mongolia (Tashanta). We plan to be in Mongolia for ~3weeks and then would like to enter Russia again just south of Lake Baikal. Our final 10 days would be spent driving to Vladivostok, shipping the car back to the US and flying home.
Is a double entry visa our best option?
If yes, I have another complication, I read that we cannot apply for a business visa earlier than 45 days prior to its first valid date. In our case, this would be mid July. Since we will be leaving the US to start our trip in May 5th, I don't know how it is possible to do this.
Any suggestions? Should I contact the Consulate in US and ask for an exception so we can try to start the process earlier?
Finally, I believe we need to get special permission to travel in the Altai Republic. How do I try to get this?
Thanks so much,
Kirstin |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
romdur
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 189
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
Kirstin, I can perhaps offer some advice, based on your answers to some questions:
Have you and your husband been to Russia before?
If so, what was the year and month of your most recent visit(s)? And what type of visas (tourist, for example) did you obtain? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kbohac
Just Starting
Joined: 18 Jan 2010
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Yes, we have visited Russia before. In June 2004. At that time we had tourist visas. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
romdur
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 189
|
| Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I am confident that you can make your trip as planned, using double-entry 90 day business visas. The 45-day rule isn't a big problem, because it is a limitation on the start date of the visa, NOT your entry date.
For example, suppose you apply for your visas on 26 April (I assume that you reside in Scotland, so it would probably be best for you to personally take your passports and applications to Edinburgh). On your application forms, you could give as your start date 10 June - if my counting is correct, this would be 45 days after your application date.
If you pay for expedited processing (not at all expensive in the UK), your visas could be ready the next day, giving you adequate time before your departure. The visas would run out on 8 September (if my counting is correct). With these visas in hand, you could then make your 2 entries to the Russian Federation on any dates before 8 September.
I am suggesting the above timing, because travelers must be very careful, not to stay after the visa expiration date for any reason whatsoever! I know you plan to finish your second visit in August, but it is prudent to allow some extra days for problems and emergencies. If your car should break down and it looks like there is any risk of not exiting before the visa expires (in my example, if you might not reach the Russian frontier before midnight on 8 September), then abandon the car and get a train or plane the hell out Russia (not joking about this, NEVER overstay a Russian visa).
Whichever date you choose to make your application, prepare beforehand by getting your business invitations (also known as visa support letters), and having your application forms carefully filled out.
In the UK, the Russian Consulates have outsourced visa processing to a private company, so you will actually apply at this company's offices. Their website:
http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/
It sounds like a splendid journey - good luck, and please post on this forum about how it all goes for you! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
