Russian Visa Advice?

[Don Pardo]

I've traveled to Ukraine before, but now I want to go to Russia (specifically Vladivostok).  I've read the Russian Embassy's current requirements for obtaining a tourist or visitor visa.  It appears that it would be faster to get a tourist visa as opposed to a visitor visa.  In regard to the voucher that's required to apply for a tourist visa, what have those of you who've been there done?  Have you used a Russian travel agency, a U.S. travel agency, worked directly with the Russian hotel, or used one of those online Russian travel agencies that promises to do everything for you in less than a month?
I'd be interested in hearing what those of you with experience can relate on this topic.  Have you used and been happy with any particular travel agency?  How long did the whole process take?  How much did it cost?
Any feedback is appreciated!  Details appreciated!
Thanks,
Don

[Jeff]

... in response to Russian Visa Advice?, posted by Don Pardo on Aug 6, 2002

Is this the same Don Pardo from Bob and Tom fame?

[mjhlava]

... in response to Russian Visa Advice?, posted by Don Pardo on Aug 6, 2002

Don,
Email me at mjhlava@nospam.com and I can give you "2" excellent agencies I deal with for the Russian visas.

My wife is from Khabarovsk and I klnow the region well.

Mark

[Zink]

... in response to Russian Visa Advice?, posted by Don Pardo on Aug 6, 2002

I just got back from Vladivostok not long ago. I had problems with my visa. I've always used a company from St Petersburg to supply me with my travel voucher. Then my local travel agent helped me apply for the tourist visa on my own. It cost $25 US for the voucher and $100 Canadian for the visa. It took 1 or 2 days for them to fax me the voucher and 15 working days for the consulate to issue my visa. I've never used the bigger online agencies like Go to Russia or Red Star because my local agent could get me better deals than they did on flights. And my do it yourself visa costs were much less than what they quoted.

When I arrived at my destination I would have my visa registered at a hotel. The usual cost was $10 US or free if I stayed at the hotel. 3 times I had no problems. But this last time the company who issued my voucher didn't print what cities I was visiting on their documents. Just a technicality really because once in Russia you are free to travel where you want. But the consequence was that nobody in Vladivostok wanted to register me because my travel agent wasn't located in the Primorye(Russia Far East). The director of the university where I was taking Russian lessons called the customs people for me. They told him that it was a minor problem and for me to explain what had happened if I was questioned when leaving Russia.

What happened was the militia at the airport in Vladivostok was checking passports and visas of people before we entered the customs area. The lady who stopped me said that I would have to pay a 50 rouble fine and go with an officer to fill out the paperwork. The officer took me to another building, down into the basement and into a secured room(bars on all the exits) with 2 other militia. The senior militsia grilled me, got my story and proceeded to give me a long winded story about how if the customs ever found out that I never registered my visa I would never be allowed into Russia again.

Then he asked me what I was told the fine would be. I told him 50 roubles. He shook his head and said that for such a serious offence it would be higher. I asked how much. He said $30 US. I've been harrassed by militsia before and understand a little about how they work. I told him I didn't have that much. Which was true. I offered him my last 500 roubles. They talked it over for a few seconds and said okay. But I must tell people I only paid 50 roubles! I agreed, gave him the money and then we stood around and visited about my travels in Russia and why I can speak enough Russian to haggle with the militsia.

Always try to do everything the best you can. But I had hassles from the militia about my visa when I was properly registered on another trip. The customs people aren't overly concerned about the registration. But the militsia thrives on being a pain in the ass and collecting it's fines. There's always the risk of having difficulties no matter who you use.

If you'd like to chat about Vladivostok, email me. I'd be happy to give you any information that I have. RW helped me plan my trip and I have a huge amount of information that she gave me.

[Don Pardo]

... in response to Re: Russian Visa Advice?, posted by Zink on Aug 7, 2002

/

[BrianN]

... in response to Russian Visa Advice?, posted by Don Pardo on Aug 6, 2002

2 months ago I used http://www.travel2russia.com/

Did not book hotel, only airline flight through them and visa invitation cost nothing.  (Invitation letter is required for a tourist visa, and you should be dealing with a reputable travel company imo).  Paid for express visa processing for 5 day response and received it with no problem.  Unless they've changed requirements, it is not necessary to send your passport, only a copy of it.  

When I got to Novosibirsk, I was staying in an apartment, then went to the Central hotel, paid 20 bucks for a closet space room, and registered my visa.  (My fiance' spent an afternoon before I got there inquiring to several hotels to see if they would register it, and that was the only one that perform this service after 3 other hotels - other people will have different experiences).

Never had a problem.  The travel2russia company is actually red star travel, and is very good at making impossible things possible, (for me anyway).  I'm using them again for my sept trip.  

However, this time I'm doing a homestay "visitor" visa instead, which requires one to have a personal sponsor there to go to the local OVIR office, fill out an application, pay the fee, and then wait 2-3 weeks for the approved application to return to them.  Then, the sponsor will mail this to you, and you, in turn, fill out a visa application along with the new form 95 (if you're between 16-45 yo), and send it in to the russian embassy.

That's it in a nutshell.

[Don Pardo]

... in response to Re: Russian Visa Advice?, posted by BrianN on Aug 6, 2002

Thanks for the info, Brian.
The woman that I'm visiting was told that it might take 2 months for the Vladivostok OVIR to get the invitation (for the homestay or visitor visa) from Moscow.  And, she won't actually be back to Vladivostok until late August.  Because I'm wanting to go in October, we thought that if it does take 2 months, it might not allow enough time to get my visa.  Therefore, we decided that it might be better to pursue the tourist visa.  She knows of a dirt cheap hotel that I can register with.
I don't really think it would take anywhere close to 2 months, but I'm not sure that I want to take a chance.
It looks like my best approach would be to get my tourist visa (and possibly airline reservations) through one of the reputable travel agencies that you or Rags suggested.
Thanks again!
Don

[BrianN]

... in response to Good info....., posted by Don Pardo on Aug 6, 2002

Well, now your woman has brought up a twist that I didn't know about... and now it makes sense to me finally as to why the home-stay visa takes so long... because it must go through hq in moscow.  

However, if your stay is going to be 30 days or less, the tourist visa is the BEST situation.  No need to piss around with particulars on this and worry about procedures.  Just get any good travel agency to provide an invitation letter and get going.  Believe it or not, that "dirt cheap" hotel to you, may actually be some 20 story hotel with all kinds of suites and stuff, but they got lots of tiny soviet kgb agent rooms (this is my personal inside joke) left over and you can rent one for one night and have your visa registered for the entire stay.  No need to actually stay there.  L and I did this and all we did was go up to the room just to see what we paid for... ummm, but she did get to use the phone to make some calls to her friends on the dime anyway.

My personal opinion after all is said and done?  Let a good travel agency (operated by russian-americans) do all the bs work for you.  Don't sweat the fees... just pay them and get it over with because after you're there you couldn't care less about it.

[Rags]

... in response to Re: Good info....., posted by BrianN on Aug 6, 2002

LOL! The place that I registered my visa at was first class. It had a condom machine right there next to the front desk!

[BrianN]

... in response to Re: Cheap Hotel, posted by Rags on Aug 7, 2002

[Rags]

... in response to Russian Visa Advice?, posted by Don Pardo on Aug 6, 2002

I tried one of those online visa invitation sites ($30 for the letter of invitation only) and almost got sent back the day after I arrived. I went to the police station to register my visa and a very stearn and unamused offical told me that the "company" listed as inviting me was not in his computer. I fessed up that I had purchased this "invitation" from another company and he got even less amused. Luckily I had my girlfriend's driver with me and he fast talked this guy into cutting me some slack (for a small bribe). He gave me the address of a hotel that would register my my visa for $25.

Better to use a reputable visa service like gotorussia.com or Russia House to do the whole visa. It may cost a bit more than doing it yourself but it would be better than a quick return trip.

[Don Pardo]

... in response to Re: Russian Visa Advice?, posted by Rags on Aug 6, 2002

Thanks for relating your experience and for the advice.  Between your response and Brian's, I have a better idea on my plan.  Thanks again.