Where does one go to get an official letter of invitation from the Russians to obtain a business visa?!?

The company with whom you will do business will write it and take it to the nearest office of (commercial affairs -- not sure of the specific name). A fax of the document that comes from this office to the Russian Consulate will be what you need.

I don't know how you would accomplish this without an inside-the-country company contact.

I would suggest you find someone in the Travel business who specializes in processing Passport applications and Visa applications. The usually have a working agreement with a Travel Firm in Russia who will provide a needed Letter of Invitation. Once they receive that they then expedite and forward all needed documention including, the Letter of Invitation and your passport to the nearest Russian Embassy, and presto, 3-4 days later your passport w/Russian Visa will be returned. It cost a bit more than trying to do it your self, but well worth it because they do all the needed work. They do it all the time. It is quite convenient. I do not know where you are from, but I imagine there must be some outfit in your city that specializes in this.

Thanks. Bentobox was my alternate ID for a couple of days while the revamped FT resuscitated my usual ID, dcadude.

I'm not meeting with a Russian company. I'm going there to find and contract with an independent contractor. Perhaps the visa services agency is a good suggestion.

I can help you out as my company has contacts for this. Email me for information.

I'm not meeting with a Russian company. I'm going there to find and contract with an independent contractor. Perhaps the visa services agency is a good suggestion.It is unlikely that you will be able to obtain a business visa under these circumstances as business visas require, among other things, an official invitation from the Russian company, submitted through the proper Ministry of Foreign Affairs channels. Business visas also require an undertaking from a company in Russia that all of your expenses will be covered by the inviting company should you be unable to cover them personally.

The full visa requirements are at http://www.russianembassy.org/

You might want to consider getting a tourist visa instead. If you staying in a hotel throughout your entire trip, an invitation (for a tourist visa) can often be easily obtained.

It is unlikely that you will be able to obtain a business visa under these circumstances as business visas require, among other things, an official invitation from the Russian company, submitted through the proper Ministry of Foreign Affairs channels. Business visas also require an undertaking from a company in Russia that all of your expenses will be covered by the inviting company should you be unable to cover them personally.

The full visa requirements are at http://www.russianembassy.org/

You might want to consider getting a tourist visa instead. If you staying in a hotel throughout your entire trip, an invitation (for a tourist visa) can often be easily obtained.

I've applied through a private visa service that also offers business invitations. The ball is already rolling. We'll see what happens.

I know this thread is old, but thought this would be useful for other people, too...


Russian visas are unnecessarily complicated to obtain, but the easiest place to get one is at www.visahouse.com They explain everything clearly, and (perhaps even more importantly) they also look after registering your visa in Russia once you get there, if you happen to be staying elsewhere than a hotel

Another company that i have used for Russian Visas and gotten great service is: http://www.passportplus.net/