Using Transit Visas for a Short Trip?
 

I was wondering if anyone had used a transit visa for a short trip to a country? A friend suggested this might work in countries where it is hard to come by a visa.

I am going to Riga in late June and would like to be able to go to St. Petersberg for 2-3 days. I was wondering if anyone had any experience doing this in Russia. E.g. I buy a cheap round-trip ticket from Riga-St. Petersberg-Riga over a 3 day period and obtain a transit visa. Rather than getting a much more expensive and hard to obtain tourist visa, which at this point I'm not sure I can afford or have time for.

I'd like to hear stories about people who have used similar tactics in the past for Russia (or elsewhere) and whether or not they've been successful, especially since I'm not actually planning on transiting, but really just want a quick visit.

Thanks,
Brian

From looking at the Russian consulate website, it looks like all you'll save is getting the tourist invitation (which takes 1 day, about $30). You still have to get your visa in advance at the Russian consulate, and it still costs $100 (or more for fast processing). They want to see documents for onward travel, so if you're making a roundtrip they will probably doubt you're really transiting.

The tourist invitation is fast and cheap enough I'd say do it that way. I just got a tourist visa from the San Francisco consulate, and it took 7 business days (10 calendar days).

I've also heard that its cheaper and faster to get a Russian visa overseas; is that true? I know its much easier to get a Vietnamese or Cambodian visa in Thailand than it is in the US for example. Has anyone tried to get a Russian visa in Riga before?

Also, I'm leaving for Eastern Europe on Monday June 6, so I can't take it to the SF Consulate anyways without spending an exorbinant amount.

Thanks,
Brian

Hm, I got a Cambodian visa here at the embassy in DC without any hassles whatsoever. Processing time was 2 days or so, which is normal.

It may be faster, but the $100 fee is standard for US citizens due to reciprocity (the US charges $100 to Russians). You won't get around this.

That was a real waste of time then as Cambodian visas are issued on arrival and take less than a minute to get done (minus possible lines) at the border or airport!

I've had them done here in DC in 15 minutes with the expedite fee.

Transit visa = you can't return to the country you came from!

Riga - St. Pete - Riga is a no go on a transit visa.
Riga - St. Pete - Helsinki is okay.

(Cambodian visas)

I had mine done in 1 minute at REP on arrival for US$20.

I've also heard stories of "processing fees" well over $20 at REP. Just be cautious....

At REP if someone tries to shake you down, ask for Capt. Pheng, he's the boss there.

The visa-on-arrival fee at Cambodian airports (either REP or PNH) is US$20 for a tourist visa, $25 for a business visa.

I've never heard of foreigners being shaken down for more money (Cambodian friends have told me that they are always shaken down for extra cash). I would be very surprised to hear of an extra fee being charged at the airports -- as opposed to the routine "extra" charges which are applied when getting a Cambodian visa at the overland borders (e.g., Aranyaprathet / Poipet).

- Michael