Way to Russia Talk Lounge Q&A Forum - Recent questions and answers in Russian Visa

Answered: Business visa Validity and Renewal questions

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 11:14:39 +0000

Hi Theodor,

You should get first the 3-month business visa. E.g. from July 15 (when they plan to open Russia) to October 15.

Then you will need to travel out of Russia (can also go to a neighboring country, like Estonia, Finland or Latvia) and reapply for a new visa — this time you can get one for 6 months or 1 year.

Each business visa gives you a possibility to stay every 90 in 180 days in Russia. So a 1-year visa enables you to stay only half of the time in Russia. If you want to settle permanently you'll need a work visa, which is a different thing.

In general, it's a good choice to set up a company in Russia. If your turnover is less than $1 Mln a year, you can get special tax regime where you pay only 6% on your turnover as a company. Read more on https://waytorussia.net/Practicalities/Entrepreneur-Simplified-Tax-Russia.html

Answered: Name of organization you are visiting and full name of representative for Business Visa invitation.

Sun, 09 Feb 2020 15:51:48 +0000

You should leave these fields empty if you are not visiting any particular organization or exhibition and let the visa company fill out these fields for you. Also, you should put "business" as the purpose of your trip if you are applying for a business visa support.

Answered: How do I fill the "Names (as in passport)" field?

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 20:07:22 +0000

It is better to use the same name as in your as in your passport.

Russian Visas From Manila?

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 20:06:06 +0000

Hi guys - This is my first post.

So!
As many people know the Philippines is one of the most corrupt places in the world.
I am applying for a 3-year tourist visa for Russia via the Russian Consulate in Manila, Philippines.

I took a loooooooong trip last week and was turned away because they said that this specified day is only for Russian citizens.
Which was completely the Opposite of what it said on the Embassy/Consulate website.
And there is no good contact number available anywhere for them, so a person is just forced to come to Manila from whatever province they are living in (through hellacious traffic - worst in the world), and cross their fingers.

So I was turned away, but before I left, the front desk guy told me that they "don't issue 3 year visas."
I assured him I'm a US citizen & yes US citizens can get that kind of visa.
He was Filipino & I think he only cares about the rules applying to fellow Filipinos, he was basically just trying to discourage me in any way he could, and obviously didn't even know what he was talking about.

So I have to take that looooooong trip from the province again this coming week to Manila (to the Russian Consulate) and hoping I can get the 3-year tourist visa that I require.
And yes I have followed all the instructions from this website (and from other sites) very carefully.
I got all my ducks in a row, dotted my I's, crossed my T's.

My question, if you can please fill me in...

Has anyone had any experience getting Russian visas from Manila? Did you have many problems? And for any kind of shorter visa I don't think you would have a problem. But for the 3-year visa that American citizens ARE QUALIFIED for.... I don't think believe they come across many of these applications in Manila.
Going into this I have a bad feeling, with the level of corruption & Constant shakedowns of white foreigners here, I think they are going to really hassle me.
Or just turn me away - to make me go back to the province yet again, redo my application and get a short month-long visa, which is just not long enough for me.

Any feedback is much appreciated, thank you.

Answered: Do I need a visa if I take the train from Helsinki just for the day

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 14:31:11 +0000

Hi, yes, you need a visa even in this case. If you just want to visit for one day a better option might be to take a cruise boat from Helsinki to St. Petersburg. Then they will arrange a special no-visa travel, which is available to the cruise passengers.

Answered: If I stay on cruise ship at St Petes for 3 days do I need single or multiple entry visa to visit each day?

Sun, 12 May 2019 15:25:24 +0000

You might not be able to enter Russia on a separate visa if you're on a cruise ship as they have some special regulation that you can only enter Russia on a visa obtained through the cruise company. Why don't you tell them you join the tours and then just go do your own stuff when in Russia?

Answered: Can I get my visa for Russia from a travel bureau in another country?

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 07:28:31 +0000

Sure, you can get your visa in Tallin too. They will probably make the invitation for you and then take your documents to submit them directly to the Russian embassy, so it works exactly the same way as if you did it on your own, you just pay a premium.

By the way, I would really appreciate if you post the name of the agency you used if you are satisfied with your experience, so that other travelers could use your advice too. Thanks!

Answered: Will a tourist letter be needed?

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 07:25:10 +0000

You have an option to ask your wife's parents to make a private invitation, but that takes a long time to process and you'll probably need the original posted to you. So if you want to save time, they can simply get the tourist invitation. Then they can also stay at your wife's parents apartment. Your wife's parents will need to register their visas (at any post office with the passports of the guests) if they are in Russia for more than 7 working days. That's it.

Answered: Which type of visas will my children need?

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 04:34:49 +0000

You need to get tourist visas for your children. As US citizens they may be able to get a 3-year visa, so just get the invitation on http://waytorussia.net/Travel/VisaSupport.html for 30 days and then apply for a 3-year visa. This should work.

Answered: Visa support/invitation document when visiting more cities than on the form

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 04:33:15 +0000

This is not a problem at all. Just list the first 5 cities and you're done!

Answered: Do I need a single or double entry visa to travel between two locations in Russia?

Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:46:57 +0000

No, of course you need a single entry tourist visa then. A double entry visa is needed if you're traveling outside of Russia to one of the former USSR (CIS) states.

Answered: Can I apply as a US or UK citizen for a Russian tourist visa from the Czech Republic?

Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:42:25 +0000

I think you should apply as a UK citizen because that regulation they're talking about is not valid. The consulate only needs your residence permit if you're not an EU citizen.

Answered: I filled in the visa invitation form, but the site would not accept the date I entered for first entry into Russia.

Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:41:15 +0000

Probably the error was that you were applying for double entry and something was not working.

Answered: can i trvl to russia wd damaged pasprt wd valid visa on that and a new reissued passport ?

Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:40:35 +0000

no, this is not usually possible

Answered: Does a FAN ID holder need a registration after July 25 until the end of the year?

Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:39:54 +0000

Hey

So in fact it's not clear whether they also prolonged that regulation. If I were you I'd register, as it's not too complicated and you'll avoid troubles. Remember you only need it if you stay more than 7 working days in Russia.

Answered: Visa support

Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:33:33 +0000

The visa support document is valid for the time span that's specified on it. The other thing is that you can issue a tourist visa support not earlier than 90 days before the travel date and the business visa support can sometimes be issued earlier. A tourist visa support is valid for trips for up to 1 month, while business visa support can be valid for 12 months (staying maximum 90 out of every 180 days). For the US citizens a tourist visa support can get them a 3-year visa.

Answered: what do i need and where do i go for a travel visa to russia?

Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:31:33 +0000

Well, the easiest way is to get your visa support documents on http://waytorussia.net/Travel/VisaSupport.html — this page also has a step-by-step guide for what you need to do next. Basically, the next day you get your visa support documents, fill out the application form online, then take this and your passport to your local visa center and they'll do the rest for you. You can get your visa even in a few days if needed.

Answered: Air B and B St Petersburg

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 03:27:55 +0000

Hi, you can get this apartment through AirBnB and then get your visa support through http://waytorussia.net/Travel/VisaSupport.html

Just make sure your apartment is on the ground floor or that the building has an elevator. Frankly, in your case, maybe a hotel is a better option, so you wouldn't have problems with accessibility.

Answered: Can I apply for the permanent residence if I can keep my current job and work permit/visa for 3 years?

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 03:26:39 +0000

Yes technically you can

Answered: My passport expires 5 months and 2 weeks before my proposed exit date, can I still get a visa?

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 03:26:07 +0000

Hey you can usually get a Russian visa if your passport expires not earlier than 6 months before your visa ends.

Answered: Should I pay the hotel in full before applying the Russian visa through WayToRussia Visa Support Invitation service?

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 04:11:05 +0000

Well, the visa support letter is a confirmation of your hotel reservation, however, as you can imagine, because the visa support letter costs only $30, your hotel is not paid in full. So in case the consulate really needs that it's better if you get that confirmation. Sometimes you can contact the visa support company and they will issue this letter for you free of charge (if they have a special arrangement with a hotel) otherwise you'd need to get a booking on Booking.Com for example (you could always cancel it after as there's no law that says you absolutely have to stay at that hotel – you might change your mind and stay somewhere else, the hotel is not written in your actual visa).

Answered: 3-year Tourist Visa: Separate invitations needed for each visit?

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 04:09:24 +0000

No, you just need one letter of invitation for a short duration, but then you apply for a long visa and in that case you'll have a visa for 3 years.

Answered: If im staying only six days in Russia do I need to register my visa?

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 04:07:49 +0000

No, you need to register only if you're staying 7 days or longer.

Answered: Duration of visit to Russia

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 04:07:32 +0000

Yes you need a visa and you can get it using your wife's private invitation. Then you can extend it in Moscow once you marry.

What exactly is a guest Visa and do I need one?

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 07:53:57 +0000

I am planning on visiting my girlfriend who lives in Russia this December. Now, I am assuming that I will need to obtain a guest visa because my purpose is to stay with her and visit. How exactly would I go about obtaining this type of visa? Does she need to send the invitation letter and where would she send it if she does?
Any and all help will be GREATLY appreciated.

Do i register my visa for each city i go? Is it a problem if i declared just moscow hotel when i get my vvisa.

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 10:41:29 +0000

When i get my touristic visa I declared 4 nights in moscow but change my mind and i also want to go st petersburg. 2 days in moscow and two days in st petersburg hotels. Do i need register for two cities. İs it a problem for custom, when i return to my country.

I want to Seek Political Asylum

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 12:14:43 +0000

I am an american national who believe my country is suppress and
monitor me beyond acceptable levels for working for the African
American people. I am seeking political asylum and need emergency
assistance.

I have about 8 hours for touring Moscow, NO HOTEL planned, what do I put on request for invitation?

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 11:13:08 +0000

On a layover in Moscow, I have about 8 hours for touring, NO HOTEL planned, not meeting friends--so what do I use to get the invitation letter, and Visa for that matter?

Answered: What do you know about ivisaonline.com?

Thu, 27 Jul 2017 02:42:10 +0000

iVisaOnline provides Russian visa support necessary to apply for Russian visa. Get Russian visa support letter in 5 minutes.
https://driving-directionsmaps.com/

Answered: Russian visa application been rejected with commentary that agent must sign letter of invitation

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 00:55:18 +0000

And why is it so complicated?

belgium visa center requires "Confirmation being hosted as a tourist by a Russian tour operator"

Mon, 17 Jul 2017 06:52:13 +0000

Hi all,

I need to urgently apply for tourist visa invitation. wanted to buy it on "waytorussia.net" But, in Belgium, visa center told I need to provide "Confirmation that you are going to be hosted as a tourist by a Russian tour operator, which is registered in the Unified register of tour operators;"

Is it a signed & stamped itinerary?
Is Way to Russia able to provide such?

Thank you for quick answer!

Jean-Christophe

Cooldown period between visas?

Sun, 16 Jul 2017 15:59:40 +0000

Is there a cooldown period between visa applications, and if so, does this apply to all visa types?

Example:
- I first organise the invitation and apply for a 30-day tourist visa, because it is fast and cheap.
- At the same time, I begin preparing the invitation and documents for a multiple entry 12-month business visa.

Can the 12-month business visa start immediately the day after the tourist visa ends, or is there a cooldown period of e.g. 3 months between the end of the tourist visa and the start of the business visa?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

Russian Visa Support Application

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 02:48:49 +0000

Hello. Thank you for the great website! Below are my questions:

1. Number of entries; Single entry or double entry? My entry will be from (St Petersburg) LED and through Trans-Siberian
2. Purpose of visit; Tourist or Trans-Siberian? I will do both.
3. Registration services; My arrival will be at St. Petersburg, do i need to pay for EUR 31 for registration in Moscow?
4. Should i fill up all the cities that i will be visited, including the hotel? do i need to fill up all from St Petersburg - Moscow - Irkutsk?

Thank you!
Izz, Malaysia

Had requested a correction date on my visa

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 16:35:37 +0000

Hello,

I just noticed that my visa is valid from August 27 to September 3, 2017
I am planning to be in Russia from August 27 to September * 9, 2017

Requesting to please correct the documents ASAP so I can apply for my visa.

Thanks,

Is a change of itinerary, including a visit to Kaliningrad, possible?

Fri, 16 Jun 2017 19:02:19 +0000

I wonder if you can give me some information. My son has a private visa to go to visit his wife's family in Russia this summer for the whole of July and August. On his application he only put down the name of the town his the family lives in (Ivanovo), but while he is in Russia his wife's family would also like to take him by plane from Moscow to Kaliningrad for ten days to visit some other relatives. Is it possible for him to go to places not on the itinerary, including Kaliningrad?

Do you accept visa support application from the Philippines?

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 20:08:28 +0000

I tried to submit my application online but Philippines is not included in the dropdown selection under Passport. Please assist. Thanks!

Specifying travel visa dates vs accommodation dates

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 10:08:00 +0000

I am looking to apply for a tourist visa to Russia by myself with the aid of this websites information.

I wish only to go for approximately 12 days but I would like to be flexible so I wish to apply for dates that span for as much as 25 days.

I understand that when I can complete the invitation visa information and the subsequent online visa application form that I need to provide hotel/hostel names and locations as well as expected days of transit. Nothing as yet is booked of course as I'm waiting for the entire application to be successful and as I plan on going to a couple of other places beforehand and wish to remain flexible there also my actual entry date may vary by up to a week.

As per this websites tips for filling out the application I can choose a hotel from a list and say I'm staying there and later change my mind but my question is should I provide information showing me having accommodation booked for say a full 25 day period or just a 12 day period but still ask for a 25 day or so window?

thanks

Paul

Does individual Russian woman has to show 2000 dollars before passing customs and is it a new regulation?

Mon, 22 May 2017 13:31:00 +0000

I PUT THE WRONG COUNTRY OF CITIZEN , MY COUNTRY GHANA IS NOT LISTED AND I NEED TO PAY

Mon, 15 May 2017 04:46:39 +0000

THIS IS MY reference SSSD-1551710154568-D8E537D71-AN PLEASE RESPOND WITH URGENCY THANK YOU.

36 month visa Confusion

Sat, 13 May 2017 20:28:17 +0000

Hi, I need some help. I'm a little confused about this instructions i read:

""""If you have a tourist invitation that is only valid for 30 days, you should still specify the intended dates of your travel during the next 3 years. Don't worry if your plans change: eventually you will have a 36-month visa, which enables you to stay 180 days a year in Russia and you will be able to travel there when you want""""

Should i enter the 30 day invitation's day range and specify elsewhere on the application that I want a 3 year visa?

Also, i hear that if you apply for a 36 month visa they will require 36 months of health insurance. How can anyone afford this insurance ($1800) even though you can't stay more then 180 days per year?

Please, any help will be appriciated.

Can you help with visa registration?

Wed, 03 May 2017 11:54:51 +0000

How it works the registration if I stay 5 days in Moscow and 5 days in St.Petersbourg, in airbnb? Can you provide that? I only need to register in Moscow?

Visa Support questions; arriving via cruise

Tue, 02 May 2017 19:26:23 +0000

We will be arriving in St. Petersburg on a cruise on July 18 and leaving on July 19. We don't want to do the organized tours through the cruise company. We want to get a tourist visa and see the city independently. We will sleep on the ship.

I assume we need a multiple entry visa and we will have to go through immigration each time we leave and return to the ship. Is this correct?

On the request form for visa support (for multiple entry), it is asking for travel dates (1st entry, 1st exit, 2nd entry, and 2nd exit). I'm a little unclear on how exactly I should do this. Should I complete it like this:

Entry 1: July 18
Exit 1: July 18
Entry 2: July 19
Exit 2: July 19

I am confused if this is the way to do it or a single entry would suffice simply with an Entry date of July 18 and exit date of July 19.

Visa questions for cruise ship arrival in St. Petersburg

Tue, 02 May 2017 19:24:53 +0000

Type of Visa

Tue, 02 May 2017 07:10:12 +0000

My 2 children and I have been invited to Russia by family friends to stay with them at their home in southern Russia for a little over 3 weeks. They seem to think that the parents who own the property need to send me an invitation from Russia even though they are here visiting now. What type of Visa do I need and do we need to wait until until the parents return at the end of the month to get the visa support document?

.Visa for vlounteership

Mon, 01 May 2017 06:08:12 +0000

Hello, I have .been asked to volunteer at an English Language .school in Siberia. .Which visa should I apply for ? I am American

Thank you,
Dianne Cobb

how to get teaching job? and settle.

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 01:01:44 +0000

I am a trained, professional teacher working in India under Andhra Govt. I want to work in Russia or Moscow kindly help me please.

Prolongation of a russian visa while in Russia

Sun, 23 Apr 2017 12:43:38 +0000

Hello,

I already got a 3-month business visa for Russia, but I'll need one extra month.
I'm a traveller by car and will be somewhere near lake Baikal I think, coming back from Kolyma.
Is it possible to proceed an extra month in Russia, or will I have to go let's say to Ulan Bator to ask for a new russian visa ?
thanks in advance for the information.
best regards

You don't have "CHINA" as the citizen country list

Sat, 22 Apr 2017 16:51:38 +0000

I need the invitation to apply to get the passaport to Russia my bank already payed the $30 dollars

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 10:28:23 +0000

Returning to visit Russia do I need an invitation letter again? already have 3 year visa

Tue, 18 Apr 2017 21:04:38 +0000

I have a 36 month visa and I was in Russia for two weeks in 2016. Do I need to get another invitation letter to return to Russia again this year?