Applying for a Russian Visa
Discussion
First of all, is that our Christmas or their's? 
You need an invitation to visit Russia, the invitation then allows you to apply for a Visa. I've not used these people, but I know they can assist with the invitation if you are visiting friends. http://www.sntpeters.com/
When you have the invitation, you can apply for the visa. I've used these people 4 times with no issues: http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/ There are places you can apply remotely too, but I'm near enough to London to make it a next day process (I like my passport with me, not in Russian hands!).
You need an invitation to visit Russia, the invitation then allows you to apply for a Visa. I've not used these people, but I know they can assist with the invitation if you are visiting friends. http://www.sntpeters.com/
When you have the invitation, you can apply for the visa. I've used these people 4 times with no issues: http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/ There are places you can apply remotely too, but I'm near enough to London to make it a next day process (I like my passport with me, not in Russian hands!).
Minimise costs?
http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/
Minimise hassle?
http://www.scottsvisas.co.uk/
I use the latter quite often- they turned round a russian business visa in one day for me last year
http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/
Minimise hassle?
http://www.scottsvisas.co.uk/
I use the latter quite often- they turned round a russian business visa in one day for me last year
If you are in London go visit the visa office.
You will need the following:
Invitation from whoever you are visiting.
EXACT details of where you will be staying throughout the trip (names/locations/details).
If you don't have either then you will be rejected on the spot.
Also it can take up to 3 weeks so I would be doing it ASAP.
You will need the following:
Invitation from whoever you are visiting.
EXACT details of where you will be staying throughout the trip (names/locations/details).
If you don't have either then you will be rejected on the spot.
Also it can take up to 3 weeks so I would be doing it ASAP.
I don't think you want an invitation from who you're staying with. Most advice says to get an tourist invitation (most likely online) and then apply for a tourist visa.
The invitation you receive will give the name of a hotel, but you stay where you want. Just remember the name of the hotel, as you'll need it when filling in your immigration card. This is what I do when I visit my girlfriend in St. Petersburg.
For visa invitations:
http://www.russianvisaonline.net/
http://visalink-russia.com/
or any similar organisation.
Then go to the Russian embassy (and possibly join a long queue) or use VFS Global (and pay for their service - about 20 GBP).
And you don't need to register with the Russian authorities when you get there if you're only staying a few days.
The invitation you receive will give the name of a hotel, but you stay where you want. Just remember the name of the hotel, as you'll need it when filling in your immigration card. This is what I do when I visit my girlfriend in St. Petersburg.
For visa invitations:
http://www.russianvisaonline.net/
http://visalink-russia.com/
or any similar organisation.
Then go to the Russian embassy (and possibly join a long queue) or use VFS Global (and pay for their service - about 20 GBP).
And you don't need to register with the Russian authorities when you get there if you're only staying a few days.
flyingvisit said:
I don't think you want an invitation from who you're staying with. Most advice says to get an tourist invitation (most likely online) and then apply for a tourist visa.
The invitation you receive will give the name of a hotel, but you stay where you want. Just remember the name of the hotel, as you'll need it when filling in your immigration card. This is what I do when I visit my girlfriend in St. Petersburg.
For visa invitations:
http://www.russianvisaonline.net/
http://visalink-russia.com/
or any similar organisation.
Then go to the Russian embassy (and possibly join a long queue) or use VFS Global (and pay for their service - about 20 GBP).
And you don't need to register with the Russian authorities when you get there if you're only staying a few days.
True the above is mostly what I went through, but the OP says he's visiting a friend and has not mentioned anything about a hotel.The invitation you receive will give the name of a hotel, but you stay where you want. Just remember the name of the hotel, as you'll need it when filling in your immigration card. This is what I do when I visit my girlfriend in St. Petersburg.
For visa invitations:
http://www.russianvisaonline.net/
http://visalink-russia.com/
or any similar organisation.
Then go to the Russian embassy (and possibly join a long queue) or use VFS Global (and pay for their service - about 20 GBP).
And you don't need to register with the Russian authorities when you get there if you're only staying a few days.
Telling the OP that they can stay where ever they want is a bit risky if they are checked, I had to give the details of all the hotels I was staying at and dates so they could be checked.
I had the name of the location wrong on the invitation (due to people in Russia just making it up and hoping they wouldn't notice) and I had to get the invitation made up again with the exact locations.
Might be different in the Finnish old capital, but I went to Karelia with the rest of the party being Finnish, so it could have been under more scrutiny than normal as they were visiting their old homeland.
Du1point8 said:
True the above is mostly what I went through, but the OP says he's visiting a friend and has not mentioned anything about a hotel.
Telling the OP that they can stay where ever they want is a bit risky if they are checked, I had to give the details of all the hotels I was staying at and dates so they could be checked.
I had the name of the location wrong on the invitation (due to people in Russia just making it up and hoping they wouldn't notice) and I had to get the invitation made up again with the exact locations.
Might be different in the Finnish old capital, but I went to Karelia with the rest of the party being Finnish, so it could have been under more scrutiny than normal as they were visiting their old homeland.
The advice usually given is to get a tourist visa, regardless of who you're staying with. Google it. Then you get an invitation with a hotel name, and fill in the hotel name on the immigration card. I've been doing it for nearly 3 years.Telling the OP that they can stay where ever they want is a bit risky if they are checked, I had to give the details of all the hotels I was staying at and dates so they could be checked.
I had the name of the location wrong on the invitation (due to people in Russia just making it up and hoping they wouldn't notice) and I had to get the invitation made up again with the exact locations.
Might be different in the Finnish old capital, but I went to Karelia with the rest of the party being Finnish, so it could have been under more scrutiny than normal as they were visiting their old homeland.
In fact I'm about to apply for a visa for Xmas (the Westerm Xmas, that is). If the OP is in any doubt, I can write down the exact steps I follow. I'm in Finland, but the process is the same (including using VFS Global if desired).
P.S. I was in St.P. last weekend, so it works.
P.P.S. An visa-free alternative is to travel by ship from Helsinki using St.Peter Line. You get to spend (I think) either one full day or 2 nights in St. Petersburg, and only have to buy a guided coach tour of the city (which doesn't have to be used). This method only applies to ship passengers, not if you go by train (unfortunately).
P.S. I was in St.P. last weekend, so it works.
P.P.S. An visa-free alternative is to travel by ship from Helsinki using St.Peter Line. You get to spend (I think) either one full day or 2 nights in St. Petersburg, and only have to buy a guided coach tour of the city (which doesn't have to be used). This method only applies to ship passengers, not if you go by train (unfortunately).
flyingvisit said:
Du1point8 said:
True the above is mostly what I went through, but the OP says he's visiting a friend and has not mentioned anything about a hotel.
Telling the OP that they can stay where ever they want is a bit risky if they are checked, I had to give the details of all the hotels I was staying at and dates so they could be checked.
I had the name of the location wrong on the invitation (due to people in Russia just making it up and hoping they wouldn't notice) and I had to get the invitation made up again with the exact locations.
Might be different in the Finnish old capital, but I went to Karelia with the rest of the party being Finnish, so it could have been under more scrutiny than normal as they were visiting their old homeland.
The advice usually given is to get a tourist visa, regardless of who you're staying with. Google it. Then you get an invitation with a hotel name, and fill in the hotel name on the immigration card. I've been doing it for nearly 3 years.Telling the OP that they can stay where ever they want is a bit risky if they are checked, I had to give the details of all the hotels I was staying at and dates so they could be checked.
I had the name of the location wrong on the invitation (due to people in Russia just making it up and hoping they wouldn't notice) and I had to get the invitation made up again with the exact locations.
Might be different in the Finnish old capital, but I went to Karelia with the rest of the party being Finnish, so it could have been under more scrutiny than normal as they were visiting their old homeland.
What Im saying is that they check your details of where you are going and who your staying with, so can't put a random hotel name down.
OP hasn't mentioned if he has a hotel yet... Your advice to just get a name and stay where you want is not the greatest advice despite you doing this for 3 years, what you going to do when they finally do check up?
Or are you telling me that when I got pulled up on it at the Russian Visa office in London for details on the Hotel, then warned not to make up the rest like you do by the Finnish people I went with, that I was just dreaming it?
Im all for taking some risks, but would never dream of doing that when one needs a tourist visa to go to Russia and then having the slim chance they actual check when Im there that Im telling the truth... Its not worth the risk.
Du1point8 said:
It goes without saying that you need to be on a tourist visa.
What Im saying is that they check your details of where you are going and who your staying with, so can't put a random hotel name down.
OP hasn't mentioned if he has a hotel yet... Your advice to just get a name and stay where you want is not the greatest advice despite you doing this for 3 years, what you going to do when they finally do check up?
Or are you telling me that when I got pulled up on it at the Russian Visa office in London for details on the Hotel, then warned not to make up the rest like you do by the Finnish people I went with, that I was just dreaming it?
Im all for taking some risks, but would never dream of doing that when one needs a tourist visa to go to Russia and then having the slim chance they actual check when Im there that Im telling the truth... Its not worth the risk.
If you stay with friends, you can get a private visa. Apparently few people do this. Standard procedure is (I believe, and it's what I do) is to get a tourist invitation and a tourist visa. What Im saying is that they check your details of where you are going and who your staying with, so can't put a random hotel name down.
OP hasn't mentioned if he has a hotel yet... Your advice to just get a name and stay where you want is not the greatest advice despite you doing this for 3 years, what you going to do when they finally do check up?
Or are you telling me that when I got pulled up on it at the Russian Visa office in London for details on the Hotel, then warned not to make up the rest like you do by the Finnish people I went with, that I was just dreaming it?
Im all for taking some risks, but would never dream of doing that when one needs a tourist visa to go to Russia and then having the slim chance they actual check when Im there that Im telling the truth... Its not worth the risk.
Who is going to check up? As long as they're happy at the border with what you've filled in.
I can't remember the reason that private visas aren't used as it's a long time since I first researched this. It may be something to do with extra hassle for the people you stay with.
Of course, if you stay longer than a week and have to register, your Russian friends are in for a lot of hassle anyway (queuing for hours at the post office to register you).
Mermaid said:
Too much of ball ache to visit Russia.
No it isn't, why even bother to comment? Just because you might be lazy it really isn't a ball ache.Anyways, I just got an invite from the hotel I was staying at and used the service here http://www.visitrussia.org.uk/ They provide different levels depending whether you want them to do the invite as well.
That's it. That's the ball ache Mermaid thinks it is.
It didn't even take very long going through passport control at Pulkovo airport. The entry/exit forms you used to have filled in are also filled in and the second bit given back with your passport, just don't lose it. It then gets taken off you when you go through passport control when you leave.
Hi,
I just wanted to update this thread for anyone else who may want information in the future.
I have now secured a Russian Visa in time for Christmas!
After much head-scratching and confusion about the whole visa application process I was recommended to use this site;
http://www.visitrussia.org.uk/visa/
I selected the full-service for a Tourist Visa (option 1) and completed the website booking form (very easy).
I then also had to complete the Russian Ministry application form online.
https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx
This form is more detailed but is more of the same.
Then sent my passport via special delivery, together with a photo and booking form (containing ref number for the online ministry form) to the visitrussia.org address in London.
Happy to say any worries I had about sending my passport off were unfounded as 7 working days later I now have a passport with a Russian Visa inside!
This service cost £125 for a 7-working day turnaround.
But apparently can be achieved quicker for more money.
Fyi, I believe the process (as of yesterday 9/12/14) now has an added complication of having to be biometrically scanned at the embassy! So happy to have sneaked past that one..
I just wanted to update this thread for anyone else who may want information in the future.
I have now secured a Russian Visa in time for Christmas!
After much head-scratching and confusion about the whole visa application process I was recommended to use this site;
http://www.visitrussia.org.uk/visa/
I selected the full-service for a Tourist Visa (option 1) and completed the website booking form (very easy).
I then also had to complete the Russian Ministry application form online.
https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx
This form is more detailed but is more of the same.
Then sent my passport via special delivery, together with a photo and booking form (containing ref number for the online ministry form) to the visitrussia.org address in London.
Happy to say any worries I had about sending my passport off were unfounded as 7 working days later I now have a passport with a Russian Visa inside!
This service cost £125 for a 7-working day turnaround.
But apparently can be achieved quicker for more money.
Fyi, I believe the process (as of yesterday 9/12/14) now has an added complication of having to be biometrically scanned at the embassy! So happy to have sneaked past that one..
Has anybody been through the revised visa application process in London? I'm trying to get visas for my parents and I but it seems there are no appointments, just walk-ins. When I did that through the embassy last time I was queuing for over six hours but my mother wouldn't be capable of anything like that. I can't find any recent advice on average queue times, just the VIP Premium Lounge 'Service' at £150 per person by the application centre. How do you say pisstakers in Russian?
Any advice (beyond bending over)?
Any advice (beyond bending over)?
Last time I went I don't remember any appointment system in the London office near Barbican tube.
Turn up when it opens, get a ticket and be seen in 30 odd minutes.
I made sure I was there as soon as the doors opened as I figured it would be like turning up to the post office on a normal day when the OAPs are out in force, don't turn up on time, end up waiting hours as each one tells their life story to the post office worker.
Turn up when it opens, get a ticket and be seen in 30 odd minutes.
I made sure I was there as soon as the doors opened as I figured it would be like turning up to the post office on a normal day when the OAPs are out in force, don't turn up on time, end up waiting hours as each one tells their life story to the post office worker.
I've managed to find a few sources saying 20-45 minutes in total now, much to my relief. Last time I visited (2008) it was a case of queuing up from the early morning until early afternoon, on the street, at the embassy. I was one of the 'lucky' ones who just made the cut-off point. The poor buggers behind me were turned away after queuing all morning. I was worried it was going to be more of the same but it sounds like the process has improved. Thanks.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff