Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Maas · Just Starting Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 7

Hello,

First off dont get your visa in Mongolia, the Russian Consulate here is mad. They want all original copies of your voucers and invitation letter so at least have them ready before you get here. Second they are really strickt on having proper insurance so they'll probably tell you to buy an areo flot plan for a $ a day not too bad but if you dont need it, because you're already covered it sucks.

Here is my question, if I'm going to Biakal and Irkurts, before moscow and st. petersburg, is there anyway of getting an invitation letter that is valid for these places. Personaly I was thinking about doing the following bending the truth a little by saying I"m going straight to Moscow. In reality I'm going to lake baikal and irkurst for a while and then to Moscow. So I would need a voucer saying I'm staying at a hostel on the 28 of june but in reality I wont be coming to moscow till july 1st (aproximately). because to get all the original vouchers that the mongolian embassy needs will be impossible since I dont really know where I'll be in Irkust. I hope this makes sense to anyone or if anyone help out?

Thanks,

M

WayToRussia · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 7:18 pm Post subject:

Maas, thanks for comment about the Russian embassy in Mongolia.

Regarding your question: when you order visa support through our advertiser on this site, you specify which cities you will be staying in. There you can write the truth: Irkutsk, Moscow etc. When they make visa support for you, they write there which cities you will be staying in and which hotels are reserved for you in these cities. See? So, you just fill in the visa application form with exactly the same details as in your visa support, submit it to the consulate, and voila, it's done.

Regarding the dates, you don't need to write exactly where and when you will be in Russia. Just make sure your visa dates allow you the time span (ie visa starts 2 days earlier than you arrive and expires 2 days after you plan to depart).

Hope this helps Smile

Maas · Just Starting Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 7

Thanks, for clearing that up for me! So all I've got to do is order the letter and after that I dont have to stay at the hotels which your partner puts down?

Further can they mail it to Ulan Bator?

Cheers,

M

WayToRussia · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 7:31 pm Post subject:

Absolutely right -- you can stay where you want.

They can send the letter to Ulan-Bator by post with courier service, it will cost about $50 US I think. I would try first with a faxed copy, if it's possible.

spotted_owl · Frequent Guest Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Posts: 11

When I ordered my visa invitation from IntelService, the representative told me that a fax is considered as an original and should be accepted at the embassy as original. They have an 800 number and are quite friendly about answering questions, and may have information specific to the situation in Mongolia. Good luck !
About lodging in Irkutsk: there's a Baikalhostel for $12/night. Sorry I don't have a URL for them handy. Google...

Maas · Just Starting Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 7

Here's some good information for anyone looking to get a quick hassle free visa in Ulan Bator.

1- Have original copies of your invitation and vouchers
2- valid travel insurance for Russia (can be bought from AreoFlot 1$ per day)
3- make sure you can wait about a week or so for them to process the info

-or if you dont have that (like me in this case)

1- Go to a travel adgency called Legend Travel, they can issue a visa for you in about 3 days for a price though but its worth using if you dont have your original and dont want to wait around for 10 days or longer. Since to get it sent express takes 3-4days and then visa service express 1-3 days.

2- It cost me $244US to use legend, but included is a hotel in Irkurts and Moscow.
3-If you want to do it yourself, to get papers here express is $65 and express visa service is $120 (for Dutch citizens).

To sum it all up, if you've got your sh*t in order and have originals then it shouldn't be a problem to get it done in about a week. If you dont use the legend service if you want to be on your way. Because waiting for all the papers to come and for them to issue the visa will take a while.

I hope this helps those who find themselves in the same situation that I did.

M.