| Author |
Message |
AK-Polski
Frequent Guest
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Anchorage, AK
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:35 am Post subject: 1st time. Chelyabinsk or bust. |
 |
|
Greetings to the WTR Board!
Let me preface this with an apology. I've been a lurker on this forums since the end of summer, when I came to the realization that I will be needing to book a tip to Russia. TMI (too much info) for those curious. I met The One, locally, while she was on a summer work visa in Alaska. OMFG is she the one... And we'll end the TMI add-on...
Now I'm here, or have been here, for months trying to work out what seems to be a literal Russia visa equation. I get a damn headache 30 minutes into each study and I know I'm just not letting the numbers flow, I'm making it out to be more than it is. Maybe I need a backhand to slow my brain down so I can gather up all the pieces laid out here and assemble them into something I can grasp...
Well, I'm on crunch time in my mind, and I need this solved as soon as I can. I don't want to go through a local travel agency if I don't need to, and to be completely honest I think I will be the errant number that screws up the formula, so I will bow my head in shame and ask for help from those who've been through it and, if I am lucky, by those who've created this site. I know you've laid it out as best you can, but sometimes too much information can hamper some people, and that's where I'm at.
Information overload.
If some kind soul(s) would be ever so inclined to help me out here, I would be indebted to you.
Here is where I'm at, point blank.
1. I'd like to be in Chelyabinsk by March 15, 2009. I have the capability to be retrieved in Yekaterinburg as well, but I've noticed that ticket prices between the two vary enough that I might be able to fly to my final destination at the same price and save "The One" some driving time.
2. I plan on staying 3 weeks in a rented flat with her. She said she's capable of securing the flat for that amount of time.
3. I fly home after 3 weeks...
...
4. IF...
IF our time in her home country is as magically delicious as it should be, I will be making a return trip to see her, and marry her. We've discussed that this would be beneficial to her and her family, and as I've seen on this forum and others elsewhere, the ceremony is really for the women, I just want girl. This is a must have feature. And while I will be looking for advice on the American visa side of things up to and after that point, I'm not looking for help there just yet, I need to get there first.
So what I've gathered in looking this site over.
I need a passport. Done.
I need a Russian business visa. Advice/instructions please
I can book the tickets online, that seems fairly easy.
My Russian language skills are pathetic, but I have courses to help me out. Let's say that I should be able to stand in front of a Russian sign and decipher it within 30 minutes.  I'll be coming prepared with translation help via a phone call, a translating PDA, etc. That's not what I'm nervous about (I'm nervous about her mother, but that's for another post).
What else... Oh, Consulate. I think I remember running in to a part about picking up the visa. We don't have a locale consulate in Alaska, I would need to deal with Washington as far as I know.
I need an invite that would enable me to get a Business visa. Where? Would I also need another one for my return trip?
I greatly appreciate any help provided here. I'm a RTFM (read the F'n manual) kind of guy when dealing with those of pure laziness, but I think the visa maze is a look, educate yourself as best you can and then ask for help, goes beyond technical help... messing it up could mean the difference between claiming the prize you won at the game, or walking out of the fair and having the door close before you remembered to claim it at the counter... and your SOL.
Thank you! [/b] |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
danbrew
Just Starting
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 8
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 12:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Read the manual. There's plenty of advice here and many other sites that offer guidance for everything you've asked.
1. How to get a visa support letter? http://www.waytorussia.net/Travel/VisaSupport.html
2. How to get a visa? http://www.traveldocs.com.
3. You may or may not need a second visa support letter - depends upon when/if you go back.
4. Fly to Moscow or Yekaterinburg and then take the train. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AK-Polski
Frequent Guest
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Anchorage, AK
|
| Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:05 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks.
No train for this kid, that's just too many days wasted. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vox16
Just Starting
Joined: 14 Apr 2010
Posts: 5
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| AK Polski wrote: | Thanks.
No train for this kid, that's just too many days wasted. |
Yandex says that with Chel.-Yek. express train it takes 4 hours. But days? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Paul-Holmes
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
Posts: 1073
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| For your marriage visa stuff, go to Visajourney.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Paul-Holmes
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 12 Apr 2005
Posts: 1073
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AK-Polski
Frequent Guest
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 12
Location: Anchorage, AK
|
| Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you much for replies and suggestions!
In regards to the train trip, I was using Moscow as the start point, not Yek. Though taking the train from Yek is one I didn't even take into consideration. 
Paul, thank you for those links, I will look into those soon enough.
I sent off for the business Visa invitation and exchanged a few emails with who I'm assuming will be the company sending the invite. They needed the business name, my position & business address. No bid deal!
Just 90 bucks. So far. hehe
Thanks again for the help! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ender
WayToRussified
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 498
Location: Urals
|
| Posted: Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
| AK Polski wrote: | Thank you much for replies and suggestions!
In regards to the train trip, I was using Moscow as the start point, not Yek. Though taking the train from Yek is one I didn't even take into consideration. |
Well, there is train ¹14 between Moscow and Chelyabinsk. It starts in evening, it goes night, day, night and it arrives at morning. Two nights, one day. It is cheaper than jet. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
