Job Discussion Forums

marg252 · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 55

I plan on coming in through Mongolia in about a month. I'm just going to cross through, visit Moscow and St. Petersburg and then head down through eastern europe. Can you tell me a reputable website to get a letter of invitation so I can get a tourist visa? I've never heard of anything like this before and it's very strange to me.

Thanks!

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

You can try contacting local travelling agencies for a visa. That's what we do in Lithuania when we want to visit Russia and it really works.

Red and white · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 63

Seconded. In London I normally used the Russian National Tourist Board, who handled all the paperwork in return for a (relatively) hefty fee. I think the total cost last time I did it (2005) was GBP85.

I'm certain you can find an organisation in Mongolia or your current location which will provide a similar service. Chances are they'll have an office right next to the Russian consulate with a big ad to that effect! And, best of all, they'll do all the standing in queues and arguing with suits for you - you just fill in the forms, give 'em the passports photos and write the cheque.

marg252 · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 55

I'll give it a shot. I'm nervous, I keep reading about how people get denied visas all the time.

Thank you!

canucktechie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 343 Location: Moscow

The problem is not getting the letter of invitation, you can get that online.

The problem is that the Russians have a lot of restrictions about which consulates will issue visas to which people. You can always get a visa from the consulate in your home country, but not always elsewhere.

Don't know the situation in Mongolia, it might be a good idea to post the question on Lonely Planet or another travel website.

Red and white · Joined: 30 Sep 2007 Posts: 63

Good point CT. I forgot that. As of about a year ago, I think, you can only apply for a Russian visa from your country of origin or country of residence. But if you can confirm residency (as I did in Baku earlier this year) it's no problem. Indeed the consulate there boasted the only Russian bureaucrat I've ever seen smiling. We almost bantered at one point. I still get light-headed thinking about it !

Not heard many stories of people being knocked back if their applications are in order and the aren't involved in something obviously dodgy (long criminal records, membership of militant political/ religious groups etc won't be welcomed).

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

I have used...

www.gotorussia.com

two or three times and they have always been very helpful and businesslike. The only problem I had was in getting the visa I got from them registered in Siberia. It will work in Moscow or Saint Petersburg - outside of that you will have to deal with the local OVIR office.

That having been said it should work OK for what you are suggesting. I was able to work with them by sending my papers to Atlanta via DHL.