Do I Need a Russian Visa?
May 12, 2007 | 1:28 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA/BD Gold/IC A/*Wood Gold - Certified BodyCombat and BodyPump Instructor
Posts: 6,070
BJ:
You may want to contact your cruise company.
A- Because you'll need them to do the invite letter anyway
B- Because they may be able to arrange a short term visa for you.
See
http://www.waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/Types.html
(Scroll down to Short 72-Hour Visas)
You may want to contact your cruise company.
A- Because you'll need them to do the invite letter anyway
B- Because they may be able to arrange a short term visa for you.
See
http://www.waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/Types.html
(Scroll down to Short 72-Hour Visas)
Short 72-Hour Visas:
This type of visa WAS an experiment started on the 1st February, 2002 to attract more tourists to Russia. However, there are canceled as of now, so it is NOT possible to get a 72 hour visa at the moment, it's better to go for a tourist visa.
However, if you are traveling on a cruise ship, the cruise company should be able to provide you with a short visa, usually valid for up to 72 hours.
This type of visa WAS an experiment started on the 1st February, 2002 to attract more tourists to Russia. However, there are canceled as of now, so it is NOT possible to get a 72 hour visa at the moment, it's better to go for a tourist visa.
However, if you are traveling on a cruise ship, the cruise company should be able to provide you with a short visa, usually valid for up to 72 hours.
May 12, 2007 | 2:20 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Posts: 3,794
There are a few ex-USSR countries that don't need visas, but pretty much everyone else does.
The original intent of the invitation/registration system was to keep close tabs on foreigners; now it's just an excuse to charge fees at each step.
I've used www.WayToRussia.net in the US a few times and have had no problems. It was $30 for the invitation, $100 for the visa (US citizen), and express post to/from the San Francisco consulate. I didn't have to go in person. I didn't get expedited service and got it back in 10 days.
US citizens get hit with $100 as reciprocity for the US's $100 visa fee.
The original intent of the invitation/registration system was to keep close tabs on foreigners; now it's just an excuse to charge fees at each step.
I've used www.WayToRussia.net in the US a few times and have had no problems. It was $30 for the invitation, $100 for the visa (US citizen), and express post to/from the San Francisco consulate. I didn't have to go in person. I didn't get expedited service and got it back in 10 days.
US citizens get hit with $100 as reciprocity for the US's $100 visa fee.
May 13, 2007 | 1:23 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA/BD Gold/IC A/*Wood Gold - Certified BodyCombat and BodyPump Instructor
Posts: 6,070
US citizens get hit with $100 as reciprocity for the US's $100 visa fee.
May 13, 2007 | 1:55 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Caerdydd
Posts: 1,991
May 13, 2007 | 3:18 am
#20
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,135
Whatever you do, you must use an agent or mail it yourself in plenty of time. I onced queued outside the embassy. I was early enough (and lucky enough) to eventually be admitted (after about four hours). Many behind me were simply sent home. Very restricted opening hours.
May 13, 2007 | 1:01 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London
Programs: I've got three passports, A couple of visas, Don't even know my real name.
Posts: 909
The Russian Visa system is still a bit old school, last time I went I needed an invitation fax from my hotel. The visa wasn't cheap either.
You used to be able to get a cheap "transit" visa if you were there for less than three days, but I don't know if the rules have changed now.
Definately get your cruise company to sort it for you and save a lot of grief, they take 10 days or something so don't leave it too late.
You used to be able to get a cheap "transit" visa if you were there for less than three days, but I don't know if the rules have changed now.
Definately get your cruise company to sort it for you and save a lot of grief, they take 10 days or something so don't leave it too late.
May 15, 2007 | 9:12 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: EVN
Programs: KLM Flying Dutchman forever, bmi Diamond Club (is there a theme here?), LH, BA, EK, DL nobody
Posts: 1,877
my 2 cents
1. You may not need a visa for a quick (under 72 hours?) cruise to StPetersburg but you'll definitely need one for the "+Moscow" part. If it's a sort of the add-on to your cruise the cruise company should handle it for you, but if you're trying to jump ship in StPete, as it were, and just head to Moscow on your own - think again
2. There's a separate Russia forum here on FlyerTalk. You'll probably get more answers over there
2. There's a separate Russia forum here on FlyerTalk. You'll probably get more answers over there
May 15, 2007 | 9:21 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: AMS
Programs: Flying Blue Gold
Posts: 1,849
I think by the time you ad up:
(1) the visa invitation fee
(2) the consulate fee for issuing the visa
(3) an express fee (assuming you don't want to wait months for the visa)
(4) an agency fee (to go to the consulate for you, assuming you don't want to spend hours queuing at the consulate)
You will be closer to 200.
(1) the visa invitation fee
(2) the consulate fee for issuing the visa
(3) an express fee (assuming you don't want to wait months for the visa)
(4) an agency fee (to go to the consulate for you, assuming you don't want to spend hours queuing at the consulate)
You will be closer to 200.
However, for a last minute jaunt to Russia you will be looking to pay a premium for a visa. Still less hassle than it is for many Russians to get a visa to the UK or US though!
May 15, 2007 | 4:42 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus. Eurobonus Millionaire
Posts: 38,748
You should check with the cruise/tour operator. Not only do you need a visa, but if you do not have a valid visa you can neither leave the country nor stay in a hotel. If you are there for more than a day or two you also need to have your status registered (for a fee, of course). As noted above, the system is arcane, designed for a different era. Now it only serves to extract money from tourists.
May 15, 2007 | 5:27 pm
#25
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 35,634
I have moved this thread into the Russia forum. The OP has gotten excellent information which likely has already answered his question - but for ease of future searching, I'm putting it in its proper home.
SanDiego1K
Senior Moderator
SanDiego1K
Senior Moderator
May 16, 2007 | 2:15 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 27,251
Just so people are not completely put off, it in no way has to be as high as £200 for a tourist visa! With some forward planning it can still easily be only £50-£60 even when using an agency to go to the consulate for you (which I highly recommend) - I did it twice last year. In the UK at least a friend had no problem doing it all by post for even less!
However, for a last minute jaunt to Russia you will be looking to pay a premium for a visa. Still less hassle than it is for many Russians to get a visa to the UK or US though!
However, for a last minute jaunt to Russia you will be looking to pay a premium for a visa. Still less hassle than it is for many Russians to get a visa to the UK or US though!
If you work in the City then its a simple stroll over to Worldmark's offices - they presumably also pick up and drop off for a fee.
The Hyatt in Moscow was very efficient in supplying the various bits of paper by fax and PDF. No charge, but if you later cancel your reservation they charge Euro 100 to your credit card.