Job Discussion Forums

hobo6 · Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 27

Here's a crazy question... how much does a work visa (for Americans) cost for Russia? I've searched the net for this and am only coming up with total prices thru the agencies. The U.S. government site states that Americans can now stay up to 6 months at one time in Russia, but there's no mention of how much it costs. I'd like to get an idea in case a school doesn't want to pay for it (though I'm under the impression that the better language schools will do so).

For those of you who are teaching over there and had to go thru this process, how long did it take once you filled out hte paperwork and sent in your passport?

Thanks!

Shelby · Joined: 24 Dec 2010 Posts: 66 Location: Russia

The following may help.

http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/allaboutyourvisas.html

Costs are in pounds sterling but it will give you an idea.

hobo6 · Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 27

Thanks. However, given this is Russia and last year they extended the amount of time Americans are able to stay in Russia (doubling over Europeans), I'm thinking that our cost might not be the same as yours. The Russian embassy page for the U.S. doesn't list any costs either! Maybe it's free!! Wink

amisexy · Joined: 24 May 2012 Posts: 78

The visa fees are easy to find on the Russian Embassy, Washington DC website.

http://www.russianembassy.org/page/visa-processing-fees

VISA PROCESSING FEES
Visa processing fees for US citizens are:
Single Entry or Double Entry Visa:
$140 - ten business days(*)
$250 - three business days(*)
Multiple Entry Visa for one year:
$150 - ten business days(*)
$450 - three business days(*)
Multiple Entry Visa for three year:
$160 - ten business days(*)
$450 - three business days(*)(**)
(*) - The day of submission/delivery is NOT INCLUDED in processing time.
(**) - strictly in emergency.
Dear US Applicants, please be advised that starting from January 1, 2013 processing fees for 3-year multiple-entry non-urgent Russian visas in the business, private, humanitarian and tourist categories have been reduced from the current level of US $180 to $160.

hobo6 · Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 27

Okay, thanks! That wasn't the page I'd found. It doesn't say however, if this is for a work visa or if all visas are the same cost. I'll assume from your post and the statement made at the bottom of that page, that all visas are the same cost.

RagazzaCaraibi · Joined: 20 Jun 2013 Posts: 10

What is the least expensive Health Insurance that anyone in this group
has found to cover them for their first three months in Russia.

Thanks in advance.

RC

Sashadroogie · Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2013 6:18 am Post subject:

Perhaps I've misunderstood the OP, but nobody should be paying for their work permits. This is the responsibility of the employer.

The details posted above are for tourist and business visas. There is no mention of work permits there - a totally different beast entirely.

The reason why you keep coming to agency sites is because you cannot apply for a work permit directly yourself. Your Russian employer, or an agency on their behalf, has to do this. They also have to provide all the supporting documents, including invitation letters and whatever bond to ensure their foreign employee won't cost the state anything in an emergency.

As to what all this costs, that is very much a moving target. Details change all the time, but it is clearly not cheap, and is a lengthy process. But all of it is your employer's problem, not yours.

However, to address your main concerns, if when you have your work permit sorted out, with visas in your passport etc. there is not much stopping you from jumping ship if you find your situation intolerable. You can just leave the school and try to find work elsewhere. Ignore empty bullying threats that your boss can have your visa cancelled. Not possible unless they physically have your passport in hand to give to the migration authorities. Don't ever give it to them once you have work permit inside, and you are safe and dry.

Don't pay a kopek for any of the papers, though.

hobo6 · Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 27

Thanks Sash. You covered everything. Smile

nemnoga · Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Russia

Oh, wise droogie, you are blurring the disticntion between 'work permit' and 'teacher's work visa'. I can't speak for other schools, or for the fairy-tale world of the Country of Moscow, but down here in the farmlands, teachers get a visa entitling them to work as a teacher, something agencies in America (or anywhere else) can't get. Neither can the school arrange for and 'buy' this visa for the teacher. The visa is also the work permit. And you need to go to the embassy (or agent) yourself, pay up front, then get it back. If you are getting it in another country, the rules vary on what you need to do at what embassy, but you still gotta fork it out & then get it back from the school up arrival. Pardon me while I go back to the harvest, those potatoes are not going to dig themselves out of the ground Wink

amisexy · Joined: 24 May 2012 Posts: 78

Hey guys,

I have a question about visas.
When you get the work visa, do you buy a single flight ticket to Russia, or do you need a return ticket to get into Russia?

I have a single entry, 3 month work visa.

Thanks Smile

Sashadroogie · Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:39 pm Post subject:

Yes, you are right about the blurring. They are separate things, work permits and visas. The precise distinction eludes me, as I have not needed to deal with any of this personally for some time now. And won't for many more years to come (touch wood).

However, one of the main factors relevant to the OP is that without a sponsor in Russia, nobody will be getting any sort of permission to work in the country. What we ourselves handle in the Russian Embassy of where ever is just one small part of the process. To the best of my knowledge, the little sticker they give you in the embassy, the 'work visa' is just permission to enter the country in order to work. The emphasis is on the entering - not the working. That comes later. So, what the embassy officials cover a whole page of your passport with is not the whole story. For instance, once in country, you need to also have one of those lovely laminated plastic Federal Migration Service cards. This is sorted out by your employer, as is all the other subsequent paperwork that finally leads to the ability to work legally in Russia, i.e. a work permit. (Which you never see, but is filed away safely somewhere...safe.)

Confused? I know I am. There's only one thing for it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hmSw7_2jkg

teacher X · Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 6:11 pm Post subject:

@Sasha

How come I'm never surrounded by scantly clad women when I drink vodka? Hmm...perhaps I'm not drinking enough.

hobo6 · Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 27

Seeing as how this was my post, and I'm not a supporter of alcohol or whores, let's either keep it on track or finish this topic out.

teacher X · Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 6:33 pm Post subject:

What makes you think that these women are promiscuous or have sex for money? You're making a judgement based on seeing them for little more than a minute. How unfair for you to judge them in such a way.

Also, I care little whether this is 'your' post. I am hijacking it and the only way you can take it back is with the help of an ex-Navy Seal turned chef.

Your move, hobo.

hobo6 · Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Posts: 27

I find it ironic that I was recently thrown off this forum by the monitors for wrongful activity (though they never did clarify what that meant) and had my account closed down while you are permitted to take the topic off course and challenge me in a way which is not appreciated.

Monitors, where are you? Suddenly, Dave is no where to be found?