Russia - Moscow Hilton does not understand visa invitation :(

Just received an email back from Hilton in Moscow stating that they could only issue a visa invitation for the dates that we are staying there. :(

So we land in Kiev and take a train to moscow. (stopped at border because our visa is not valid until the next day.
Spend our time in Moscow and then board a train to St. Petersburg. (visa is now expired no coverage for night on train)
Something happens and we are delayed leaving Russia. Now we can't leave because our visa is expired.

They say they can't do it for any days we are not there. Sounds like bs to me. For those of you who have done it, what was your experience? Any free solutions to this problems?

They say they can't do it for any days we are not there. Sounds like bs to me. For those of you who have done it, what was your experience? Any free solutions to this problems?Just pick the dates you want and pay the $20 or so required to get one of the visa services to provide you with an invitation. The money will be well spent. Some of the reasons why are detailed here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/10964583-post10.html).

Actually they want $50.00 per person which ends up being $250.00 for my family of 5 and that is what I call high. I am looking for a less expensive route.

interesting!

I wonder if the visa and the hotel voucher for the next day will be enough to get you into the country?:confused:

Maybe you should call the Russian Consulate in your country and ask.

The problem will be in getting OUT of the country. With an expired visa, you are stuck there until you can get yours renewed, which may take a while.

Good luck.

I wonder if the visa and the hotel voucher for the next day will be enough to get you into the country?If the visa is not valid yet you won't be able to get into the country. If you have a visa issued based solely on the Hilton hotel reservation/invitation it will be for the exact dates of your stay at that hotel.The problem will be in getting OUT of the country. With an expired visa, you are stuck there until you can get yours renewed, which may take a while.Don't forget that without a valid visa you can't stay in a hotel!

I've had good luck with this place (http://www.russia-visa.com/). They will sell you invitations for $20 each. I did the whole visa service with them, as it didn't cost that much more for their processing and it saved me a lot of time. I've used them three times. Each time they delivered on time and were the cheapest place I could find. I have nothing to do with them other than as a satisfied customer.

Just received an email back from Hilton in Moscow stating that they could only issue a visa invitation for the dates that we are staying there. :(

So we land in Kiev and take a train to moscow. (stopped at border because our visa is not valid until the next day.
Spend our time in Moscow and then board a train to St. Petersburg. (visa is now expired no coverage for night on train)
Something happens and we are delayed leaving Russia. Now we can't leave because our visa is expired.

They say they can't do it for any days we are not there. Sounds like bs to me. For those of you who have done it, what was your experience? Any free solutions to this problems?

Where are you staying in St Petersburg? I always list the cities I'm visiting on my Visa Application, with the date of entry at my first location and date of exit of my last city. Visa will be issued to cover complete trip. You register your visa at the first hotel and then register again in St petersburg. If not staying at Hotel in St Petesburg you can register with the local Office of the Federal Migration Service.

Got a manager on the phone and they set up another reservation that was for two days before my real reservation and for 28 days. Now that more than covers my needs.

They told me they would not charge me for cancelling all of the days that are outside of my original reservation as long as I did not cancel all of my reservation.

Now I have one visa support document from one place to cover my entire visit.

I'm sorry.

My entire visit and then some.

I am glad that it worked out for you!

Hello some guidance please:

We are planning on using my BA Miles to fly to Moscow, my Hilton points to stay at the Hilton for a couple of night, fly to St. Petersburg and then stay at the Holiday Inn. Total trip time: 6 days.

Now I see that I should be able to obtain a letter from the hotels, but I am not clear what a "tourist voucher" is and how I can obtain one.

Please can someone suggest what I need to do or recommend a reputable UK (preferably London based) company that can obtain a visa for us based on the above plans?

Thank you.

I got my "Special Request Form" from Hilton in Moscow. I filled it out and they faxed me an Invitation Letter which I then included with my Visa request form which is on the Russian embassey website. Send those completed documents with your passports to the Embassey and you are in business. Many different names for the same form.

Note however, that the consulates in the US no longer accept visa applications by mail. You have to either apply in person, or use an approved visa service (http://www.russianembassy.org/consulat/contact.htm).

Not true. It depends on where you live and what consulate you are dealing with. I for example live in a state covered by a consulate that allows direct mail in or I may use the Embassey in DC but then I have to use a service. It all depends on your consulate right now. All are not requiring mail in yet.

All are not requiring mail in yet.

Are you sure about that? San Francisco and DC have told me they are absolutely requiring the mail in option. I don't know about others but I'm most curious to hear if you do.