Help with visa application
Jun 7, 2015 | 3:11 pm
#16
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
last year, we stayed in a bunch of different accommodations. This was an independent trip (not work, not organized in any way)
From the Courtyard, Park Inn, some other local run hotels, and a private hostel, and another few nights on trains.
On exit, noone cared about registration.
The visa was date-specific for entry and exit, and they demanded flight bookings.
The consulate also demanded pre-paid hotel bookings since we used one of the invitation mills.
So stupid, since we just ended up booking cancellable reservations on Expedia, sent it into the consulate as "proof" and then cancelled the hotels.
Once in Russia, you can stay and go wherever you like, and dont have to use anything (cities visited/hotels) on your invitation letter, as long as you leave by the date on visa.
From the Courtyard, Park Inn, some other local run hotels, and a private hostel, and another few nights on trains.
On exit, noone cared about registration.
The visa was date-specific for entry and exit, and they demanded flight bookings.
The consulate also demanded pre-paid hotel bookings since we used one of the invitation mills.
So stupid, since we just ended up booking cancellable reservations on Expedia, sent it into the consulate as "proof" and then cancelled the hotels.
Once in Russia, you can stay and go wherever you like, and dont have to use anything (cities visited/hotels) on your invitation letter, as long as you leave by the date on visa.
Im sure not all hotels follow suit but its something one should look into before booking and asking the hotel to set up your invite
Jun 8, 2015 | 10:11 am
#17
Join Date: May 2003
Location: ATL/MOO (Many Others Often)
Programs: DL GM (2MM), Lifetime Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 2,456
Jun 12, 2015 | 7:33 am
#18
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL AC*E50
Posts: 23,584
Its not so easy and free. I stayed at the W in St Pete last yr and they made it known that once they issue the Invite if you end up CXing the res you owe $xx for them having issued the Invite, and they will charge the CC you used when making the res.
Im sure not all hotels follow suit but its something one should look into before booking and asking the hotel to set up your invite
Im sure not all hotels follow suit but its something one should look into before booking and asking the hotel to set up your invite
We used gotorussia, and they were great, offered to keep reissuing and amending the invite until it satisfied the consulate.
If the consulate requests prepaid reservation for those hotels, just book the hotel, and cancel after your visa is issued
Once in Russia, noone actually cares where you stay.
Jul 6, 2015 | 12:20 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: UA 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 682
Anyone having trouble with the Russian Visa site?
I'm trying to make an appointment but when accessing www.ils-usa.com, I get a "The webpage is not available" error and connection has timed out.
EDIT: Nevermind, for whatever reason, I need to use a VPN to access the website
I'm trying to make an appointment but when accessing www.ils-usa.com, I get a "The webpage is not available" error and connection has timed out.
EDIT: Nevermind, for whatever reason, I need to use a VPN to access the website
Last edited by awu25; Jul 6, 2015 at 12:28 pm