Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Bender

ill be traveling from the u.s. and i have some questions about the visa thing. i will be staying with a friend and im trying to get a tourist visa. so far i understand the order like this.

1. get passport
2. buy plane ticket
3. apply for visa

is this correct? also, i am a bit confused about the invitation. my friend doesnt have the 25 bucks for the invite. she has already sent me two letters that havnt arrived here yet as well. so im looking for and easier way to get this invitation.

also im a bit confused about what papers/photos i need for the visa. i know i need 3 passport photos and a list of itinerary.

do i need a copy of a plane ticket? passport? is so do these things have to be notorized?

great site. thanks,

mike bender

ok, now after reading the info at the consulates web site, i have more questions.

on their site it states that upon entering russia, i have to have:

my return plane ticket

proof that i have enouph money fo my trip

and a voucher from my hotel

since i will be staying with my friend who has a room in st peter, what do i need to have instead of this voucher??

UsualSuspect · Guest

Mike,
For a "tourist" visa you need an "invitation" from a Foreign Ministry registered tour agency. Hotel vouchers and itinerary are also required, although if you scan this site you'll find that you may be able to cut some corners. Photocopies of all documents are generally acceptable for a tourist Visa except for the tour agency invitation.....keep photocopies for yourself of everything. 3 photos is OK.
For a "business" Visa the requirement is the same except you are invited by a Foreign Ministry registered business agency. There is more flexibilty with this Visa, as you can say you intend to visit 3 or 4 cities, but after your Visa is registered (generally for the length of your stay).....you are free to do whatever.
What your friend was trying to get you was a Private (ie citizens) visa from Ovir. These are generally 3 month single entry visa's and the paperwork required is less, but the formalities are much more complex. It is regarded as a temporary migration visa.
What you should ask the consulate about is the three or four day "at the airport visa" if you are just doing a flying trip.......
Now the bad news. If you want a Private Visa, kick off proceedings at least 3 1/2 months before you intend to go. Admittedly I got mine in two months
but my friend savaged the poor people at Ovir to hurry it all up......and the formalities must be done, and **ONLY** the original of the Ovir "permission" will be accepted at the embassy/consulate........you may have to send your friend some money and get it sent via Fedex/UPS....bloody expensive though...

If you check out this web-site, the Waytorussia crew can do the tourist/business visa invites etc and generally help........

Over to them......

Regards
UsualSuspect

Guest · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2003 10:06 pm Post subject:

hey thanks man. i appriciate all the info. oncei get my plane ticket in had, which will probably be tues, ill apply for my tourist visa. ill go throught this site then.

i i know ill be ging to st peter. maybe to moscow, and then to yoksher ola(spelling?)

ill be going in june so i have roughly 4 months.

anyother informaiotn is greatly appreciated and welcome!!

thanks

mike