Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Masta_Don]

I'll be heading to Russia soon, by way of China. From what I had read, I figured I'd get my visa for Russia while hanging out in China. The language barrier might present a problem but I can't find a travel agent will do it here, and read that it's no real hassle.

Then I talked to my friend today who's coming to meet me. He's in the US right now but will be meeting up with me for a tour of Russia. He claims that one can only get a visa for Russia in the country that they're from, and it takes two weeks to process. I had read it takes 5 days, and, as I said, getting it in China is easy enuff.

Now he has me worried. I'm not going to be in Korea for two more weeks. I will be in China for three but I was expecting to take my time making it up to Beijing.

Can I, as an American, get a Russian visa in China? How long does processing take?

I tried calling the embassy but the visa department is closed today.

[cazador83]

I got my Russian visa while I was in Korea...so your friend must be wrong.

It was a bit complicated to get it though... you have to get an "invitation" to visit, but a travel agent in Russia can do the inviting for a fee of about $30 or something I think.

There are websites that deal a lot with this kinda stuff, and sovietman on here (i think that's his user name) lives in Russia and knows all this stuff pretty well. You could probably do a search on here and find some good info. Good luck.

here's one of the websites that's useful: http://www.waytorussia.net/

[chris_J2]

Are you going through Mongolia? If so, get the visa in UB, from Legend Tour. I was in a small town in Korea, & couldn't get the $30 US money order. The local post office & bank only issued Money Orders / Checks in Korean Won. And the Russian travel agents & hostels ONLY accept payment for an invitation in $USD. Catch 22. If you log-in to "Lonely Planet, North East Asia branch", look for stickythreads by "everbrite" (Ruth), or send her a pm. Her advice is excellent & helped me a lot.

[soviet_man]

The Russian embassy in Beijing is notoriously difficult and reluctant to issue visas for non-Chinese citizens (eg. ultra restrictive opening hours, lengthy delays, long queues and the outright rejection of many foreigner applications). I would strongly avoid it. I can't comment on any other Russian embassy in China, but I would assume the same and you would have to surrender your passport for the duration, which could be up to a week or two - even for a simple tourist visa - which could put yourself in a bad situation if you needed ID to book tickets, hotels or get into an incident.

The Russian embassy in Seoul is not too bad, when compared to others - probably because they deal with a lot of 'Sakhalin Koreans' to shake down - who are going back to the island, so they could hardly be bothered with hindering a waygook westerner wanting a tourist visa.

Do it here in Korea comrade.

[cazador83]

[Tony_Balony]

Hi - I almost went through with getting a visa but opted going to Ukraine instead.

However - getting the visa was much easier than it looked and it was cheaper than what I was lead to believe. I vigorously recommend getting the visa in Seoul.