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Belarussian Visa Query.

Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Russian Visa Forum

Author	Message
Shinnie Just Starting Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 2	Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:45 pm    Post subject: Belarussian Visa Query. Hey there! I intend to visit Belarus and Russia for ten days. I rang the Russian embassy in Dublin and was told to contact the Belarussian embassy in London and i could obtain one from them. Rang them...they're was no answer and i'm inpatient. So what's the story? Can i get a Belarussian visa as opposed to two separate ones? Does anyone know how much it costs. Thanks
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Shinnie Just Starting Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 2	Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:52 am    Post subject: Solved! Hey! Found out i have to get two separate visas naturally as they're two different countries... i knew that already okay! Don't know what yer man was goin on about in the Russian embassy. When i eventually got through to the Belarus embassy in London they were highly amused when i put the visa question to them. [/img]
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overseas_expat VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 741 Location: Moscow	Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 1:13 am    Post subject: Of course you'd need 2 visas, they're 2 different countries. If you haven't made your reservations yet, I would be very very wary of travelling to Belarus if I were you. In fact I would flat out advise you not to go there. If I had a nickel for every Belarus shake down story I'd ever heard--I'd have a pocket full of nickels. From everyone I've ever talked to who has been to Belarus or travelled through it, the advice is always the same--DON'T do it. Belarus is beyond corrupt and lawless. Your safety there could easily be in question. Their government and police are corrupt even well beyond Russian standards. Do a little more research and then rethink the Belarus trip. And then forget it.
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tripchik Lounge Lizard Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 136 Location: Exile	Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 3:35 pm    Post subject: overseas_expat wrote: Quote: Do a little more research and then rethink the Belarus trip. And then forget it. If you research Lonely Planet and the 'Thorn Tree', there are a lot of people who like Belarus - well, certainly Minsk. If you like Soviet nostalgia and retro, I imagine it's a must see.
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overseas_expat VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 741 Location: Moscow	Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 4:16 pm    Post subject: Lonely Planet is peopled by starry-eyed backpackers whose grasp of the real world is tenuous. I consider it one of the worst travel sites on the internet. I don't like their books much either. And also not terribly keen for their college student humbug TV show. But Lonely Planeters might have a better time in Belarus than most, operating on the theory of "you can't get blood out of a turnip." If they have nothing but a backpack of dirty underwear and granola, what can the Belarus militsia hope to shake them down for? But golly gee-whiz, ain't life just an incredible adventure if you're 22 and mommy and daddy are footing the bills and will wire the money to bail you out of a Belarus jail if need be. It's all so hunky-dory.
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tripchik Lounge Lizard Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 136 Location: Exile	Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 4:49 pm    Post subject: Personal mileage is bound to vary. In my experience, it's pretty easy to get shaken down in Russia - usually the minute you leave the typical Western enclaves. It doesn't stop me going there, you just have to accept it goes with the territory. Rather like mosquitos in the South of France. In terms of bandit police, I doubt if there is much to choose between the two countries. In fact, according to the 'Corruption Perception Index' published by Transparency International, Belarus rates rather better than Russia or the Ukraine.
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init6 WayToRussified Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 363 Location: Москва, Россия	Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:26 pm    Post subject: OSE, why do you always have to shit on everyone's parade? A backpack of dirty underwear...comedy gold! BUT, as one of my best friends here just moved to Minsk to work in the US embassy there now it's my turn: Do I need an invitation to get a tourist visa to Belarus? I'm sure there's a company to pay. Where? How much? Etc? Train fare to Minsk is cheap and since I pussed out trying to cross the border illegally from Poland I need to make up for not having been to Belarus (and to visit my friend - she's quite nice). So...HELP.
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tripchik Lounge Lizard Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 136 Location: Exile	Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:39 pm    Post subject: For Belarus visa info, you might find this page helpful: http://members.aol.com/imershein/belarus2.html
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init6 WayToRussified Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Posts: 363 Location: Москва, Россия	Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:21 pm    Post subject: Much obliged...I've been to the Belarussian embassy here in Moscow (with the above-mentioned friend), but she was getting an official visa, hence it was same-day and $0. US$20 isn't bad, but I think the schedule listed on the window of the kassa in the embassy said $45 for a 30-day tourist visa. Now I need to find one other thing out - how do I get an invitation?! I'm going to stay with my friend in her apartment but, I guess if necessary, I can stay in a EUR7/night Belarussian hotel.
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tripchik Lounge Lizard Joined: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 136 Location: Exile	Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 10:04 pm    Post subject: init6 wrote: Quote: Now I need to find one other thing out - how do I get an invitation?! I'm going to stay with my friend in her apartment but, I guess if necessary, I can stay in a EUR7/night Belarussian hotel Oh. I don't think she'll be impressed with a EUR7/night hotel. Do you want this woman or not? I think we should bring Fire_Goddess in on this debate. You did not read the website closely. Visa Support from: Quote Belintourist is the National Tourist Travel Holding Company and their website has lots of good tourist information: Belintourist. Once in Minsk, you can visit them at: Masherova 19 Tel: 223 34 21 or 226 98 40 Fax: 223 11 43 While it's not a real tourist agency, it is the most helpful contact once in Minsk. They are open from 9:00 to 5:00, Mondays through Fridays. Belarus Travel is another tour company with lots of good information about things to do and places to visit. They also provide visa support and can assist with making hotel reservations for travel to Belarus. DISCLAIMER. I've never to been to Belarus, nor used any of the above companies. SUGGESTION. The In Your Pocket Guide to Belarus is hilarious. BY THE WAY. overseas_expat may be not so wide of the mark. The national craft of Belarus is basket weaving.
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lallasvensson Just Starting Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 4	Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 12:28 pm    Post subject: Of course go to Belarus Belarus is totally safe and pretty nice, at least interesting. I liked Minsk a lot, many nice places to eat, parks, soviet type avenues, the old town is under rebuilding, good night life. I was also in Grodno, beautiful old city, but hard to find places to stay and eat. Travelling in Belarus is easy with bus or microbus. Beautiful landscapes. So i recommend it, it s interesting and unproblematic.
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