Way to Russia Talk Lounge

martyboy · Frequent Guest Joined: 19 Jul 2003 Posts: 12

Hi

I am planning to arrive in St Petersburg from Helsinki by train, stay in St P for 1 week before travelling to Moscow. I will then head out by train possibly to Minsk or to Talinn via St petersburg retracing my steps. My question is this: Do I need only one invitation. The Hostal Holiday i St P will provide/fax a visa support form. Will this suffice or should i be seeking another for my time in Moscow? I know this has probably been answered before but i would greatly appreciate some help here!

Guest · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2003 2:01 am Post subject: Visa's

You will only need one Visa, but when you apply for your visa (after receiving your invitation), on the application there will be a question like what cities, or destinations do you plan to visit. Just put your destinations in there and that will suffice for the officials. Of course, Talinn, and Minsk are in another country, and the rules may change there.
Randy

martyboy · Frequent Guest Joined: 19 Jul 2003 Posts: 12

Thanks Randy

It's never been clear to me whether the intention was to track my every move which would be expensive at 30 bucks or so a pop!

I thought that I needed a visa support form for every
destination/accommodation. You're saying that getting just the one from my first port of call will suffice? After that I can be flexible as to where and when I move around so long as I leave by the end of my visa date?

Guest · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2003 3:51 pm Post subject:

I am saying that you will need your invitation and visa process done before you get to your first stop inside Russia, and as long as you list every planed destination on your visa application you should not have any problems with officials when they check your documents. You will definitly need to leave the country before your visa dates expire, if you don't you can expect to pay more money. Not only a possible fine, but also for food and lodging while your waiting for your new visa to exit the country. I travel often to Russia, and each trip is from 30 days up to six months. If I go for say, 30 days, I will apply for a 90 day visa just incase something unexpected happens, and I will never wait till the last minute to leave. This is a little more expensive, but worth it, as unseen problems have happened in the past. Hope this info helps you. If you have any more help feel free to ask me, or the administrator of this site, they seem pretty knowledgable about everything you need to know. Randy