Job Discussion Forums

[Cenobite30]

I am going through the process of getting my Russian teaching visa, but I am confused as to what is required of me. The website of the Russian consulate is no help, and I can't seem to be able to get anyone there on the phone. So, if anyone has done this before, please tell me if I understand this correctly:

(if it matters, I am an American)

1. I received a job offer from a Russian school. (Done)

2. I send my future boss the following:
a) A notarized copy of my university diploma
b) A notarized copy of my CELTA diploma
c) Translated copies of both diplomas with apostille
d) A notarized copy of my passport photo page with apostille
e) 3 passport photos

3. I mail these items to her. She does some paperwork or something with the local visa authorities in Russia. She mails me back an official invitation.

I'm pretty sure those first three steps are correct. After that, it gets fuzzy.

4. I physically take that invitation to the nearest Russian embassy? I mail the invitation and my passport to them? I use one of those companies to go to the embassy for me? I don't know.

5. I receive my visa that same day? I receive it after a few days? My passport and visa are mailed back to me? I must physically pick up my passport and visa from the embassy?

I guess my questions boil down to this: What happens after I receive my invitation? Also, I was told that I need to get an HIV test. When/where/how do I do this? I mean, I know HOW to get an HIV test, but I imagine they are looking for a certain piece of paper or something.

Damned bureaucracy...

[rusmeister]

The best thing is to get your info straight from your local consulate. Try calling them back on Tuesday - they're still in the middle of the March 8 holiday, and Monday is an official day off (on Friday people were already cutting early and partying). If they never answer, try calling another one (America has one Russian Embassy - Washington and 2 Consulates - NY and San Francisco, last I checked.)

AFAIK, all of the variants you listed ought to be possible - they shouldn't require an in-person visit, at least. Mailing was a norm in the old days.
Any certificate from any health facility - your hospital or doctor's office, or a public clinic. Once I got one from a public clinic and it worked.

[neponimayu]

That seems like a lot for you to get your LOI (you probably know, but that's short for Letter of Invitation), I don't remember having to get translations of diplomas and such, but maybe that's because either my employer did it for me or they could read English and just didn't care as much. I went through this just a few months ago and this is how it worked for me: once you get your LOI you need to submit it to the Russian Embassy in your area of the US (mine was in San Francisco). A recent law made it so you either need to submit your application in person or go through a third party visa company (if you try and mail it directly to the embassy, they'll send it back). I went through the third party and used Travisa, and they were great. They make it pretty easy and have a lot of information on their website about what the law is. There's other companies too, if you want to google around.

Anyway, once you get your LOI from your company (which I guess they can't process until 40 days before you're supposed to arrive) you'll send it to a visa company or the consulate, along with the visa application, maybe an application for the visa company (if you do use one), a recent HIV test, a couple of passport photos, your passport and however you're going to pay the fees. From my understanding, you'll get a 3 month business visa, probably single entry, and then when your company turns in your documents to the authorities you'll get your business visa extended to a work visa with all the unnecessary papers that come with it. As a side note, when you fly into Russia, don't lose your landing card. I was told by my company it's pretty much the most important document. Hope this helps, if you have any more questions I'd suggest contacting a visa company. It is, after all, what they're in business for.

[betacygnus]

I have obtained two Russian visas and here is what I had to do:

I emailed a copy of my Passport and a copy of my TEFL certificate to my future employer, and they mailed me an OFFICIAL invitation (a Preglasheniye).

In April, 2008, I was in the USA and I FedEx-ed the following to the Russian Consulate in Washington, DC:

1. My Passport
2. the Invitation
3. two copies of the completed 2-page Visa Invitation (downloadable from the Wash-DC Consultate website)
4. two passport-sized photos, each attached to the visa application
5. a certificate stating I was HIV- (go to a doctor, clinic or blood center which can issue a certificate)
6. a Money Order to cover the cost of the processing (the fee scale is on the Wash-DC website and is more expensive for shorter processing times)
7. a paid, return Fed-Ex envelope

I received my Russian Visa in about 5 days ... it is attached to one of the pages inside your passport, is "single-entry" and good for 90 days (you cannot enter Russia BEFORE the earlier date of the 90-day period). At the end of the 90-day period, your employer will have your visa automatically extended/renewed for an additional 9 months. Upon arrival in Russia (or on the plane), you must fill out a Migration Card which has two parts, "A" and "B," which must be presented at Passport Control upon entry ... they keep "A", you keep "B" and present "B" when you leave Russia in the future.

In March, 2009, I changed employers and cities in Russia, so I had to LEAVE Russia to get a new visa. Your visa entitles you to live on one city only, and work for one employer only!! I went to Berlin for 4 days and went through the same process as above, obtaining my new Russian Visa in ONE DAY (I paid a price for that, believe me!).

Two warnings: First, be careful as some airlines do not allow you to check in more than 20kg (44#) of luggage ... over 20kg, and you get a HEAVY fine!!! Second, while in Russia, if you travel outside the city or cities listed on your visa for more than 3 days, you must register with the local authorities upon arrival at your destination, and your employer must RE-register you upon your return ... don't ignore this rule as there are severe consequences for "travel at-will" if you are caught!!!

I hope I remembered everything and hope I was of help to you!!

[Cenobite30]

[betacygnus]

1. Fortunately, the RENEWED visa is "multiple-entry," so you can leave and re-enter more than once.

2. Yes, in April, 2008, I was back in the USA and was able to do it ALL through FedEx! Check the website for the Russian Consulate in Washington, DC to see if the rules have changed. I was able to obtain my second Russian Work (teacher's) Visa by traveling to Berlin ... I didn't have to go back to the USA because I ALREADY had a work visa and was in Russia ... BUT, your FIRST work visa MUST be obtained from a Consulate in your country of citizenship. I don't remember if I had to send an LOI WITH the Invitation when I applied for my first Visa or not, but I DIDN'T need an LOI, just the Invitation for the second visa. Again, check the DC Consulate website.

3. My case is a bit unusual because my first Invitation was mailed from Russia to me while I was living in Prague, and I applied for my Visa after I subsequently returned to the USA! I obtained my second Invitation while visiting the city I am now living in, over New Year's holiday, as my current employer had applied for it about a month earlier.

In any case, it will take your Russian sponsor up to 30 days to obtain the Invitation before they can mail it to you. Then, if your Russian sponsor sends it to you through DHS, FedEx or some such registered service, you should get it in a week or less.

Yes, it IS draconian ... it's the way things tend to be here.

[Cenobite30]

[betacygnus]

Well, things may have changed, but I was able to do the entire process through the mail one year ago ... all the instructions were on the website for the Russian Consulate in Washington, DC.

[Cenobite30]