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AmyFox
Just Starting
Joined: 09 Aug 2010
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:56 am Post subject: Transit visa requirements |
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Hi
I am flying to Barcelona from Tokyo (return journey) through Moscow. Airline is Aeroflot.
On the outward journey I only have a short time in Moscow airport. But on the return journey, I have a long time, so I would like to be able to go out and see Moscow.
What visa do I need to apply for? a single entry tourist visa? or a double entry? As I will not be going into Moscow on the outward journey?
and how do I get into moscow, do I have to check out instead of following the transit path?
I'm flying soon so any help would be greatly appreciated. I have been very disorganised and only just decided it would be nice to try and see Moscow
Thanks
Amy |
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romdur
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 189
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| Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:45 am Post subject: |
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Amy,
How many hours, do you expect to have between flights?
For myself, I wouldn't consider going into town unless I had at least 8 hours. You should be ready for check-in (registration) for your outgoing flight a good two hours before departure. When you arrive, it can easily take 1 and 1/2 hours before you exit Passport Control and reach the taxi ranks. And to be safe, you should budget an hour each way by taxi (and budget plenty of money too -- Moscow cabs tend to be very expensive!)
So by these calculations, it is safe to figure 5 or more hours will be taken up in the airport, and getting between the airport and the city.
If you have plenty of hours, and decide you want to make the visit, you can use a transit visa (they are good up to 72 hours). I haven't used a transit visa, but I believe they can be a little less expensive, and don't require the hassle of an invitation. If for some reason it is more convenient for you to get a tourist visa, this of course is fine also.
But unfortunately, the way Russia works, the expenses are quite high, for a few hours visit! Probably, the best way to make such a visit would be to make advance arrangements (perhaps you could find contacts on this site) with a taxi driver or guide who would pick you up at the airport and stay with you, and show you the sights.
Another consideration for you is nationality/residence. It is best (and usually mandatory) to apply for a visa in your home country. If you are already in Japan, are you a Japanese citizen, or do you have long-term residency (91 days or more) or any kind of visa or permit to stay there long-term? If not, getting a tourist visa may be difficult or impossible.
I suspect that for practical reasons, most consulates don't require residency to apply for transit visas, but I don't have information about this. |
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AmyFox
Just Starting
Joined: 09 Aug 2010
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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hi!
thanks for your help! there was a lot of good information you gave
well I land at 6:15 am and leave again at 7:50pm, so I've got just over 13 hours.
Its not so long to visit moscow, but its a long time to be waiting around the airport.
A transit visa sounds ideal, but how do I get one? can I get one at the airport, or through a site like this?
I'm doing this all pretty last minute so its understandable if it can't work out.
Thanks so much for your advise!
Amy |
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romdur
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 189
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| Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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You must get your transit visa before you fly to Russia!
I don't know whether waytorussia can help with these. But from a very quick web search, I found this page:
japan (dot) russianvisa (dot) net
which gives contact information for two private companies in Tokyo (you didn't say where you are -- I am assuming you are already in Japan). You could try going to the Russian consulate yourself, but sometimes it is more practical to pay extra money to a travel company that deals with consulate for you.
As I expected, you don't need residency to get a transit visa -- but the consulate will want to see your plane ticket/reservation, and your visa to the destination country (if you need a visa to get there). Also, this should be rather less expensive than a tourist visa.
Good luck, and please post again if you have any more questions. Also, if you get the transit visa, please write here how it went, and what you learned in the process! |
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