Q: You say that no hotel reservations are needed to obtain a Russian visa, but the Russian consulate website says that I need a hotel reservation confirmation (among other documents) in order to get my visa. Who is right?

A: In order to get a tourist Russian visa, you need to have an invitation (also called visa support) which comprises two papers: reservation confirmation and cover letter (or travel voucher). When you apply for visa support through our site, our partner visa agency provides complete visa support papers to you: the reservation confirmation and the travel voucher. Officially you have a hotel reserved, but you simply don't have to stay there. So, to make things easier, we write that you need no hotel reservation to get a visa. However, when you fill out the visa application form for the consulate, you should specify this hotel(s) (that is specified in your invitation) as a place of your stay (obviously, as it's reserved for you).



Q: The consulate says that they need a Cover Letter from a travel agency in my country and the Itinerary. Where can I get it?

A: The cover letter is required only if you got your visa support documents from a local travel agency (in your country). If you get it from this site, the letter is not required.
In the very unlikely case the consulate asks you to present the cover letter after you submitted all the documents, our partner company will provide it to you for free. Again, this is very unlikely and may only happen in Japan or Australia. It has not happened in 4 years though to any of the clients who ordered a visa through this site.
The itinerary is always specified on the voucher invitation that you receive, so even if it's required you already have it.



Q: Are the visa dates completely fixed, that is, do I have to travel to Russia on the date my visa starts and leave on the date it expires?

A: No, you can enter and leave Russia anytime within the time span specified by your visa start and expiry date. For example, if your visa starts on 5 December 2004 and expires on 25 December 2004, you can enter Russia on the 5th of December or anytime after this date, and you should leave Russia anytime before 25th December on on that date.
We always recommend to give yourself a time span and to apply for your visa to expire 1-2 days after you intend to leave Russia - in case there's a problem with your flight or a sudden change in plans.
Please make sure that the travel dates indicated in your consulate application form match those listed in your invitation.



Q: I received only one document for visa support. Where is the rest?

A: What you received is all visa support (invitation) documents you need to apply for your visa. It comprises the reservation confirmation (see above) and travel voucher. It can be printed on one A4 (Letter size) piece of paper - that is OK. The business invitation is usually printed on A5 paper (half of normal A4 - Letter size), that is also OK. Our partner company processes more than 10,000 visa support requests every year, so you can rest assured that everything is done correctly. :-)



Q: I want to travel for longer than 1 month or need multiple-entry visa.

A: Then you can apply for a business visa (you don't need to be in a business to get it).



Q: Can I enter Russia after the date my visa starts?

A: Yes. The dates you specify is simply the time span during which you have to enter and leave Russia. You don't have to travel on these dates.



Q: Can the visa be extended?

A: No, it's so complicated and expensive there's no point. If you're not sure when you want to leave, just put your visa end date a few days later in this application.



Q: Any comments about the consulate in the country where I will apply?

A: Note, that since October 2007 foreign citizens are supposed to apply for a visa to Russia ONLY in the country of their citizenship. Exceptions include those who have a residence permit for a foreign country for the period more than 90 days. Of course, if you are a EU citizen, you can get a Russian visa in any EU country. The final decision, however, is left up to the consulates. Also, to avoid any problems always state the same purpose for your trip in your visa application form as the type of invitation you obtained. For example, if you have a tourist invitation, the purpose of your trip can only be tourism. If you got a business invitation, the purpose of your trip should be business (e.g. exploring business opportunities in Russia, visiting exhibitions, conferences, having business meetings, etc.)

Here's a list of the problem Russian consulates around the world. A more detailed list is available on our Russian Consulates Insider Information page.

Russian Consulate in Sweden - problems getting tourist visas at the moment in Stockholm (solution: either apply in Goteburg or in another EU country). Russian Consulates in Australia - consulate in Sydney is hard to deal with (problems reported March 2009), apply in Canberra. Russian Consulates in China - better to apply in Shanghai, but you can get a Russian visa in China only if you have a residency permit there. Mongolia - all ok at the moment, but visas are given only if you have a residence permit. France – the consulate in Paris will only give a tourist visa for 2 weeks, if you need to stay longer get a business visa or apply in Marseilles. Also may sometimes require originals of business invitation. Copies of tourist invitations are OK. Switzerland - requires originals of business invitation papers, for tourist invitations copies are OK. Netherlands – If you apply in Hague, we recommend to use a local agency to assist you. You can get the invitation on our site and then contact them and ask to submit your visa. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania – originals of invitations are sometimes required. The hardest consulate to deal with is in Estonia. Poland – it's hard to get a visa in Poznan. Better apply in Warsaw.
All other consulates seem to be fine at the moment.




Q: Do I need originals of the invitation papers?

A: In most cases - No. It is sufficient to present copies (fax or scanned copy received by e-mail) of tourist or business visa support documents (invitations). The originals are required only for business invitations in Sweden and in some countries in Asia. Take a look at the answer above – consulates in some countries require originals more often. In this case you can ask the agency to send you originals (only with UPS post) and it'll cost you about $65-80 (courier post charge).



Q: How long before my travel dates can I apply for the invitation and the Russian visa itself?

A: Please note that since October 2007 foreign citizens are supposed to apply for a visa to Russia ONLY in the country of their citizenship. Exceptions include those who have a residence permit for a foreign country for the period more than 90 days.
You can get tourist visa support from most travel agencies at any moment, however, you can apply for a tourist visa at a Russian consulate not earlier than 90 days before your requested visa validity start date. So, say if you want to go on a 4-month trip to Asia and then travel to Russia, it's better to get visa support and visa before hand.
Business visa support cannot be processed earlier than 45 days before requested visa validity start date (the processing is handled by the Federal Migration Service (UFMS) and it's their limitation). However, you can apply online on this site earlier than 45 days before business visa start dates and the processing will automatically start 45 days before your visa requested validity start date, provided the order is paid.
However, the final decision is left up to the consulates. You really need to get in touch with the Russian consulate of your choice and make sure that your application will be accepted.
According to our own information, the consulates in Austalia and New Zealand are often willing to make exceptions and issue visas beforehand. But check with them first.



Q: Can I travel where I want?

A: Yes, as long as it's not some secret military base. And you can stay as long as you wish in each city as well. There are some restricted territories where you may be not allowed if you are travling there directly (e.g. taking a flight or crossing the border at these territories), they include Sakhalin island and Chukotka at far east and Murmansk region (north Russia).



Q: How to make sure I get the visa at the consulate?

A: The main rule is to provide the information that is consistent to this visa support letter you're getting. So for example if you are getting a tourist visa support you should specify the purpose of your visit "tourism" and not "visiting friends". And you should make sure you specify exactly the same hotels in your visa application form as in your visa support (invitation).



Q: Do I need an insurance to get a visa?
A: UK - no, USA, EU (Shengen countries) - yes. Your credit card insurance might be enough in most cases. In Italy the rules are more strict – you need a specific health insurance purchased for the period of your travel to Russia.



Q: Do I need a flight to be booked in order to get a tourist visa?
A: No.



Q: Is this service legal and reliable?

A: Yes, 100%. Thousands customers get their visa support through Way to Russia. We are recommended by Lonely Planet, BBC, Rough Guides, and the leading national newspapers in UK, USA, Australia. You can see our Russian Visa forum - there are lots of reports from satisfied customers.



Q: I have a question that is not listed here. What do I do?

A: Look through our Talk Lounge Forums / Russian Visa section and if the answer is not there, post your question and we will reply in 1 day. You can also write on Skype (mrrussia) or post your question on WayToRussia.Net facebook group.





Last revised: 30 March 2009 © WayToRussia.Net

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