Obtaining Russian Visa
 

Has anyone recently obtained a Russian Visa that can provide a bit of advice on the most straightforward way to go about getting one?

The link to the online application on Russian Consulate website (http://www.ruscon.org/Visa_General_Information_Eng.html) is broken, and while I see a number of other websites (Travisa, russianvisaonline, etc) that offer options for online applications, I'm a bit leery of which if any should be used.

Trip isn't until the end of January, so have plenty of time and would rather not pay any unnecessary "rush" or "processing" fees.

Thanks.

Have used Travisa for other than Russia.
Are you on a ground tour or a cruise ?

Your link is working fine for me, as well as the link to the online form (https://visa.kdmid.ru)

No cruise or tour. Just taking advantage of super-cheap flights to St. Petersburgh with a friend.

And hmm, very odd. It's the https://visa.kdmid.ru link that I can't get to work - was thinking it might be Chrome but won't work in IE either. Good to know that it works for someone else as the Travisa and PVSInternational forms link to that as well. I will have to try at home on my other computer.

Just found a list that Travisa and PVS are both major visa organizations, so will figure out my access issue and go with one of them.

Obtaining Russian Visa
 

Let me know how it turns out? What should you expect in terms of costs? Do I need a hotel voucher first or something like that?

JBauer -

I submitted everything prior to the holidays through PVS International. Total fees were $293 ($193 embassy fee, $75 PVS fee, $25 return two-day shipping) + fedex to send everything in.

PVS International website lays out all of the info for what you need. Yes, you need an "invitation" (visa support). I'm staying at the W, and they provided the visa support - I just emailed the hotel and they sent a form to fill out. PVS International will also provide for additional fee (and if I cancel my hotel reservation for some reason before I go, the company that the hotel works with will charge me).

Still waiting to get things back from PVS, so hoping I did everything right!

And quick update on my earlier troubles if anyone was curious - it was my work network that was blocking my access to the application form for some reason. Was able to get to it from home just fine.

How did everything work out for you?

Just fine from a Visa perspective. Got everything back the second or third week of January.

Wound up cancelling the trip, but am now good to go should the occasion arise again in the next few years (although may be of interest of folks that my "3-year" tourist visa is valid 1/30/15-8/3/17, so more like 2.6-ish years??)

Maybe due to your passport's expiration date?

Ah, yes. Looks like that may be it - passport expires on 2/4/18 - 6 months after visa expiry...

What was the reason for cancelling or is it a personal reason?

I'm heading to Moscow and St. Petersburg at the end of April. Just e-mailed the two Marriotts I'm staying at for the invitation letter. Will go through PVS as well. Thanks!

Personal reasons - just wasn't good timing. Have fun - I'm a bit jealous! April should be much nicer than February would have been!

I am heading off to Moscow 11/12th March,as I am 'retired' the whole visa process is easier,I can't wait,been wanting to go to Moscow for many many years.

I got my Russian visa today. Nothing complicated, just read the requirements for the paperwork and its done.