Russia - Russia - same-day visa?

I'm an idiot - been traveling the EU too long.

I'm doing an MR to Moscow, but took advantage of a Saturday night fare, so arriving Saturday, leaving Sunday.

However the visa thing just totally slipped my mind until this morning. Checking, it looks like it's basically impossible for me to get a visa before my departure Friday morning.

Just looking for confirmation before I ditch the tickets. Did I miss a "same day visa" service somewhere? Since even the embassy lists 3 business days as expedited service (drop-off day doesn't count!) then I'm thinking it's not gonna happen.

Thanks.

I just finished reading this trip report: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/940372-dulles-moscow-ua-ultimate-double-eqm-run-right-now-anyway.html

Find the part about: "You do **NOT** need a visa or any kind if you do the round turn as I did."

See if this applies to you. Good Luck.

Thanks for the info, but to get the cheap fare I got required a Saturday night stay, so I'm landing Saturday, leaving Sunday, and I'm not sure they'll let me hang around DME airside for 26 hours. (Or that I'd want to)

I called to see if I could catch the Saturday flight home (2 hour turnaround), but that ticket now is $2500. :-(

If you are located in DC NYC or San Fran you may have a chance for a high fee. Check out travelvisa.com (I am not recommending them, since I have never done business with them), but on their web they say they can get you a visa in 1 to 3 days. The fees while high are not over the top @300 all in.

See if you can find a reasonable ticket from Moscow R/T to another country. A transit visa is not required if you meet the time requirements, and doing it within your 26 hr time frame would meet the requirements. You would be transiting each way as far as Russia is concerned.

I was at the NY Consulate last week doing my papers and they had a $300 same-day fee for a single-entry visa. I saw some woman request same-day service, and they prepared it for her on the spot while she waited. I'd imagine paying a service would cost even more if you're not prepared to wait and do it yourself, but it can certainly be done.