Way to Russia Talk Lounge

dc197 · Frequent Guest Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 14

Hi
Can anyone tell me how to do the following.

I want to go to Russia WITHOUT having all my nights booked. I want to book my first night in a big hotel and then move to a cheaper hotel.
I then want to move to another city and stay there and fly home from there.

THe woman at the Embassy in London said that if I only book one night and my Accomodation Voucher syas only one night on it, I will only get a visa valid for 2 days.
This seems stupid to me as my visa application form will state the exact duraction of my stay (2 weeks).

Can any one offer any advice for me?
How can I get a visa valid for 2 weekes without booking every single night in advance?

Many thanks
Daniel Clarke
London

ashton · Lounge Lizard Joined: 08 Apr 2004 Posts: 80 Location: US

When you book your hotel, book it through a travel agency that can issue the tourist invitation, not a hotel. If you book through a hotel, they are correct that you will only get a visa for two days. If you use an agency, they will usually issue the invitation with the entire length of you stay on the visa, not just the nights you have booked at the hotel.

Contact a travel agency that has the ability to issue their own invitation. You can either just purchase the invitation on your own or you can book the hotel through them and the invitation is usually free. Explain to them what you would like to do and it should not be a problem. You can then change hotels as you wish.

dc197 · Frequent Guest Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 14

Thanks for the info Ashton

I think I will book hotels and visa via InTourist, they can apparently sort me out with a Business Visa for the duration of my stay.

Regards
Daniel

WayToRussia · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 7:05 pm Post subject:

If you obtain your visa support through a hotel, you will only be able to stay at that hotel. If you obtain your visa through a travel agency, they will usually make a reservation for the whole period of your stay, but it will not mean you will have to stay at the hotel they reserved.

You can get a tourist visa through this site ( see http://waytorussia.net/Travel/VisaSupport.html ).

You will have a hotel booking and confirmation for the whole period of your stay, however it will not mean that you will have to stay in this hotel.

The whole pack of documents costs $30 US, you will be able to travel where you want

dc197 · Frequent Guest Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 14

Hi Mr WayToRussia
Thanks for your post.

The USD30 pack that you mention, is this just the additional documentation required to enable me to go to the Embassy and get a visa?

I think I may end up paying extra and having someone do it all for me, queuing at Embassys from 7am is something I'd rather not do.

Thanks again

Daniel Clarke