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caeleigh
Just Starting
Joined: 26 Apr 2005
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:20 pm Post subject: applying for a visa myself |
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hi, i am hoping to apply for a visa myself but have a couple of questions that perhaps you could help me with. what is the difference between a "tourist voucher" and a "tourist confirmations" - ie, i was going get a visa support letter through the hostel where i am to be staying, but would this cover both of these forms? and what about the "covering letter"?
also, do you know how common it is for people to be REFUSED visas, and if so, what the common mistakes that they make on their forms are?
thanks for your help. |
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MrSpice
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 14 Jul 2003
Posts: 3431
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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Why would you apply for a visa yourself, waste time and risk problems when you can apply at many of the online services that do everything for you, including invitiation and visa for a relatively small amount of money?
What are you trying to gain?
I applied for a visa at this service - they do everything for $150 or so:
www.russia-visa.com
There are other service like that one on the web that do the same thing. All you need is your passport and your picture. |
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caeleigh
Just Starting
Joined: 26 Apr 2005
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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| i've looked into online sites but for several reasons have decided to apply by myself, so if anyone has any info about the questions i have that would be great. |
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Mike-H
Just Starting
Joined: 14 May 2004
Posts: 7
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:39 pm Post subject: |
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You can do a visa on your own but be prepared for some frustration. I don't believe you stated your location, but the distance from the Russian consulate may be the determining factor. It will take at least two trips and thats if every thing works out properly.
I posted some more detailed thoughts in "Lessons Learned" also in this forum.
Good luck |
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reina
Frequent Guest
Joined: 07 Nov 2004
Posts: 44
Location: irkutsk, russia
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: applying for a visa myself |
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| Both documents - a tourist voucher and a tourist confirmation are supposed to be a visa support letter or a covering letter. A voucher is a document for you with a list of services you booked (accommodation, transfers, tickets, tours etc.) - sometimes all this is "booked" just on paper. A confirmation letter is a document for a consulate (where also all the services you booked are listed and there is also information about the company that invites you). I don't think the consulate refuses you as long as the hostel that sends the invitation to you has got all the papers in order (like MID reference number, valid licence etc.) and I think they wouldn't send anything to you if they were not able to invite you. So do not worry and if you are asked - just answer what you booked (all according to the voucher). The only problem you can get is the period of your visa - you can't stay in Russia longer than the period on the docs from your hostel. And if you decide to stay longer the hostel will probably want you to book accommodation for the whole period in Russia with them. |
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sputnik
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 02 Jan 2005
Posts: 141
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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make sure dates match on the papers you submit: the application form, the voucher, confirmation etc. then the application won't rouse any suspicion
make sure your health insurance covers russia, or get a good travel insurance for that. i heard of several tourists being sent back with the message that they need a paper from their insurance that explicitly states coverage for russia. didn't happen to me though, so it might be an uncommon event happening with 'unknown' insurance companies. |
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caeleigh
Just Starting
Joined: 26 Apr 2005
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:11 pm Post subject: |
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thanks for this info...very helpful.
i will let you know how i get on... |
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linguist
Frequent Guest
Joined: 03 Dec 2004
Posts: 21
Location: Minnesota
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| Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 8:25 am Post subject: |
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Generally, you only have to appear at the consulate in person under certain circumstances, usually having to do with past visa violations or criminal activity. The consulates all have websites. Some consulates prefer that you live within certain geographic area to use them, so check before sending everything out. The application can be downloaded off their site along with instructions. Make sure you read the instructions carefully and in their entirety. Be sure that you have all the forms that apply to your country of citizenship, gender, and age. Russian consulates are notorious for not answering the phone, but if you email a question w/ your phone # they will probably respond.
If you are a US citizen you can just leave the medical insurance question blank. For your own health though you should still make sure you have some coverage.
You can ask your travel service for a cover letter or you can write it up yourself.
If you can't appear in person, be sure to send everything via a method with an excellent track record of not losing packages.
I have applied for and received without difficulty 6 visas of various types over the past 17 years, most recently just this month. However you decide to proceed, have a great trip. It's a huge headache, but definately worth it in the end. |
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