Way to Russia Community and Forum

WayToRussia · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:29 am Post subject: RUSSIAN VISA FAQ

Please, read this FAQ if you have any question about Russian visa. In case it doesn't answer your question, ask it in this forum and we will be happy to help you out.

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 cover letter (or 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: This is not required by all Russian consulates, only some, especially the one in Japan. The cover letter is actually the travel voucher which you get as a part of your invitation, so the visa support you get should be enough. In case the consulate says they need more (which is very unlikely), just contact your personal manager (the person who will send you your visa support) and ask him or her to make a special cover letter for you - it will be free of charge.
The itinerary is a special paper that is required only by the Russian consulate in Japan. In case you will be applying in Japan, let the agents know and they will send you the Itinerary (free of charge).

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.

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. Smile

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

A: 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 now and then once it's less than 90 days before your visa start date, apply in one of the Russian consulates in Asia, for example in Thailand or Hong Kong (they are the easiest to deal with).
Business visa support cannot be processed earlier than 45 days before requested visa validity start date (the processing is handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or PVU 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.

WayToRussia · Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:38 pm Post subject:

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: Sweden - problems getting tourist visas at the moment (solution: either apply in another country or get a business visa). Australia - consulate in Sydney is hard to deal with, apply in Canberra. China - better to apply Shanghai. Mongolia - do not apply, better try Shanghai in China. Japan - the consulate requires cover letter and itinerary that can be provided for free by our partner company. Switzerland - requires originals of all invitation papers. 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). Only if you are applying for a multiple-entry business visa (6 to 12 months validity) will the consulate require originals. Also, consulates in some countries (Sweden, Switzerland) require originals.

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".

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.

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. If it's urgent, send an e-mail at hotline@waytorussia.net.

katie77 · Just Starting Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 2

Hi Admin:

US allows to have a dual citizenship if you are a Russian citizen, but have been naturalized as a US citizen.

Here's more info from the official website of US Consulate in St Petersburg.

Persons in Russia are subject to Russian laws and procedures. Persons who are citizens of both the United States and Russia should be aware that, while U.S. immigration law requires Americans to use U.S. passports when entering or leaving the United States, Russian law likewise requires Russian citizens to use Russian passports to enter and depart Russia.

There have been several instances in which U.S. citizens who also have Russian citizenship have entered Russia using their Russian passports, but then could not leave as planned because their Russian passports had expired during their stay in Russia, or because they lost their Russian passports. Since these travelers had not obtained Russian entry/exit visas in their U.S. passports, Russian authorities did not permit them to depart using their U.S. passports.

It can take several months to obtain a new Russian passport in order to satisfy Russian requirements for departure. Dual citizens who plan to enter Russia using their Russian passports should make sure that their Russian passports will be valid for their entire stay in Russia.

Katie

vitalsigns · Lounge Wizard Joined: 25 Dec 2004 Posts: 2784

Da...

drea · Just Starting Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 1

Silly question maybe!
Once the I have sumitted the application for visa support papers through this website, shouldn't I recieve some kind of e-mail or something in the mail????? I submitted my application about 2 weeks ago and have not received anything. I am bit concerned.
Thanks
Drea

katie77 · Just Starting Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 2

I would call the center where you've submitted your papers. I doubt that they'll send a confirmation by e-mail. They're usually overloaded with paperwork, and physically it is difficult to e-mail to everyone who applies there. Just my opinion.

I suggest you call the center.

Katie

Vanessa · Frequent Guest Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 12

Hi! Just wondering - Im an Australian applying for visa support-
do I request a fax copy? This is sufficient for Australian consulate?(Ive heard theyre pretty difficult)
If I chose the overnight option is it genuinely sent to me the next day?
I have only a few weeks to apply for a visa that's all and time is of the essence!

WayToRussia · Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 1:28 pm Post subject:

It's true that the consulate in Sydney is a bit "funny", but just a few days another person applied with a faxed (or was it e-mailed) copy in Sydney with no problems. So I suggest you apply with a copy and if they don't accept, then request originals. But I'm sure it'll work out.

Also, be sure to provide exactly the same information as in your visa support in the visa application form.

Please, let us know how it goes after you get the visa.

Thanks!

prelude1 · Just Starting Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 2

In case the Russian counsolate in any country requires Original Invitation paper ...is the way to Russia/Sister Agency going to send it? How ? what cost?

how is the russian Counsolate in New York...are they ok?any complains?

saccharinicity

Hello!

I am hoping someone can help Smile

A fellow traveler and I have received our letter of invitation to Russia using this site. We are US citizens and we are now trying to fill out the visa application and these questions are so detailed it is one question short of giving us a colonoscopy.

I would really like to fill this out as perfectly as possible but some of the questions I am unsure of and if one of you have done this before, perhaps you could point us in the right direction?

1. Name and reference number of the tourist group

I am assuming this literally means that we are going with a group. We received our letter of invite through waytorussia.net who also reserved us hotel in both Moscow and St. Petersburg...but I am assuming that since we are just going on our own that this question is N/A.

2. Do you have a medical insurance policy valid in Russia (please specify)

We have a health plan that we are covered under (Blue Cross). I called and asked if it was valid overseas in another country to which they said yes, but that hospitals in Russia would not take our insurance, instead I would have to pay out of pocket and when I returned home would get reimbursed using claim forms. I would like to just take the customer service rep and his YES answer, but I don't want to risk getting this returned to me. Would this be a YES my insurance policy is valid?

3. Russian institution or organization to be visited

I am assuming this means some sort of company or set-up to which we, as just typical tourists doing the sightseeing thing aren't a part of. I highly doubt they are meaning "institution" as in the places we plan to visit.

THank you so very much for any help you can offer. These may seem like silly questions but I never have filled a visa application out before and it is so detailed I have a hand cramp from writing. I just don't want to mess this up.

I did try to call waytorussia.net and the visa support # in Russia...but after 3 rings the sound goes warbley and dies.

Thank you! Smile

and errr....I hope this was the best place to post this? I'm not use to message boards...sorry :/

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979

Ok here's the Deal: I received my visa in April using the San Francisco consulate. You are not required to have medical insurance. But if you have it, travel medical insurance etc. Just put yes whether you do or not.

For item 9. Russian Institution visited-I left this blank as I was on a tourist visa.

Yes put Way to Russia for the tour group.

Call the consulate and they will answer your questions

I received my Visa back in 7 days. I had no problems at all visiting St Pete. It all went smooth.

Good Luck!

saccharinicity · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 11:53 pm Post subject:

thank you for such a quick reply!

i must say i did try to call the consulate but perhaps got lost in a maze of voice prompts and couldn't find my way to the operator. i thank you greatly for your reply.

one more question? the tour group question also asks for a reference #.

i see two numbers. one 4-digit reference # under "intelservice center, moscow, russia" and then another 9-digit one next to VOUCHER NoM. i am afraid to put the wrong one. do you have a clue?

sorry for all the questions. i just feel like this is so close i can taste it and i am so scared of messing it up.

thank you so very much Pray

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979

Put the 4 digit # as the other is the voucher #

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 599

Do not put Way to Russia as the tour group. The name of the tour group should be at the top of the tour voucher you received (the tour voucher is the document on the right hand side). From your description it sounds like it is "Intelservice Center". The reference number should be directly below this, where it says "reference #". The other number is the invitation or voucher number.

saccharinicity · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:15 am Post subject:

thank you both Smile

i just got home and googled "Intelservice Center" and they are in fact a tour operator so that does sound like that should be the one I use. They are also the name on the certification stamp at the bottom, so I think it would be smart to use that. Thank you thank you!

I think our visa applications look pretty good!

*fingers crossed*

You've been a ton of help!

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