Way to Russia Talk Lounge

tbarnes · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 5:54 pm Post subject: visa extensions etc

I'm planning to go into Russia on a tourist visa to look for work teaching English. If i get a job, will I be able to get a longer term visa while I'm in Russia? It looks like this is well-nigh impossible. Does anyone know how easy/ difficult it is to get a longer term visa in one of the Baltic countries for a US citizen (I don't speak any Estonia, Latvian, or Lithuanian, and my Russian is not great). I'd rather like not to have to return to the states to get visa. Thanks!

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

If your plans are concrete, get a visa support service (I highly recommend booking through waytorussia), and you can apply for a multiple-entry business visa (up to 1 year). Granted this is semi-legal, and I do suggest you hook up with a reputable language school who will provide support. If the school is registered you do not need a work permit.

tbarnes · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 7:01 pm Post subject:

thanks. if i hook up with a reputable language school who will provide support, I assume I still can't get the longer term visa when I'm in Russia (I'm going in on a tourist visa), but will have to either return home or get the visa in a third country, right? I've run out of time to get a longer term visa at this point before I leave for Russia.

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

Well, you can just go on an information-seeking trip. However it is quite impossible to rush any visa process, even if the language school is providing the visa support.

What you can do is to just go on the tourist visa, apply for a business visa while you are there, and by the time the invitation is ready, take the invitation, leave the country to apply for the visa at any embassy. Or go home if you prefer that...

Good luck! Do report back to us...