Moscow Visa Question - Help!
Jul 20, 2005 | 2:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Santa Clara, CA, USA AA Plat. 1.4MM, Hilton Gold, Virgin Red, fly fisher
Posts: 119
Moscow Visa Question - Help!
I need to go by Moscow on a business trip I am making to Europe. I am leaving for Vienna day after tomorrow. I just found out today I need a visa for Russia. I think I can get a tourist visa tomorrow at the Russian embassy in SFO on short notice. Do I run any risk going into Russia on a tourist visa, if I attend three days of business meetings? I really don't want to get arrested by the visa police and I have heard really bad things about Russian jails.
Jul 21, 2005 | 4:19 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
Why don't you get a proper business visa from the Russian embassy in Vienna? I did that at the Russian embassy in London with a US passport. I think you need an invitation from a hotel if you want a tourist visa. And last minute visas are very expensive.
Jul 21, 2005 | 10:55 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: UK countryside
Posts: 1,031
I have many colleagues who have been coming to russia for many years (for business meetings) using a tourist visa. If you use a visa service which has an "arrangement" with your local embassy / consulate, you'll find it doesn;t take very long at all - less than 24 hours. You will however need an inviation from your hotel - they can fac it to you in a matter of an hour or so.