Korean Job Discussion Forums

penfold · Joined: 31 Mar 2006

hi everyone

Just wondering if anyone can help me out:

We are hoping to travel to europe through russia after our contract ends in Korea. I have been looking at some websits regarding russian visas and are now more confused.

1) Can we obtain a russian visa at the russian embassy in korea (i.e. it is not like the china embassy where only chinise nationals can get them);

2) We are looking at getting a business visa through a website like (waytorussia). Has anyone one done this, did it work even though you are coming to russia to travel (we are getting for the 3 month time limit) etc?

3) Does the embassy require the original invitation or will an email or faxed copy work

4) for a three month single entry visa do we need to get an AIDS test.

5) After korea we will be going to SE Asia (china, thailand etc). If we don't get the visa in korea what country would allow us to get the visa without any hassals i.e. faxed invite etc

thanks

penfold

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

dandoeskorea · Joined: 10 Apr 2005 Location: London

Hello penfold,

Just to add to soviet_man's comments. You CAN get a Chinese tourist visa at their embassy in Seoul. I just did it a couple of weeks ago. All quite straightforward. 30,000 Won and it takes four business days. No invitation required. Pay on day of collection.

I'm going to the Russian embassy in Chang-Dong on Monday, and they tell me that they DO accept an e-mail or fax copy of the invitation. Take a look at their web-site: -

http://www.russian-embassy.org/english/main.html

I'm only getting the standard tourist visa, so you'd better contact them for the exact requirements for the business one.

I got my Russian invitation here (it was $30): -

http://www.visatorussia.com

Good luck.

davai! · Joined: 04 Dec 2005 Location: Kuwait

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

An interesting point.

Most Russian consulates state that the people staying for "3 months or longer" require a HIV test. I guess in theory if you apply for a 2 month business visa, it is plausible that you could get away with not having a HIV test. You could still be asked to submit one however.

But even that is not the end of it. If they are considering staying in Russia for 3 months (and plan to travel outside of Moscow/St Petersberg) there are a number of restricted areas and closed cities which require additional invitations.

dandoeskorea · Joined: 10 Apr 2005 Location: London

An update on the Russian visa. Cost is 90,000 Won for a tourist visa, ready in five to seven days. Goes up to 140,000 Won for the express service (one or two days). Consulate in Seoul is closed on Wednesdays, and of course weekends.

cazador83 · Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

i'm also planning a china/russia trip this summer.

so a chinese visa is only 30,000?

and about the russian visa... its around 20-30 for the invitation, but how much does the embassy then charge for the actual visa?
and does anyone know how expensive it is for a flight from beijing-vladivostok or vladivostok-beijing? i cant find any information online!

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

I flew from Seoul to Vladivostok last month on Vladivostok Avia. Horribly over-priced as usual.

PRICES:
680,000 won return, for economy.
890,000 won return, for business class.

It may be slightly cheaper from China, although Beijing and Seoul are both about the same distance to Vladivostok.

As far as flights from Beijing to Vladivostok, there are only three per week. Ask for Flight Number: "XF770" (Vladivostok Avia).

This airline also has an office in Seoul, so you can pay in person here if you like.

Train from Beijing to Vladivostok is about 180,000 SK won for one way (double for return). You must change from a Chinese train to a Russian train in Harbin.

In August last year I paid 55,000 won for a Chinese Visa in Seoul (including delivery to my workplace by the travel agency).

cazador83 · Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

i hear the plane takes 2-3 days, is this true? thanks for the info!

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

Flying Beijing-Vladivostok is 2hrs 40min non stop.

To take the train Beijing to Vladivostok takes 3 nights:

1. Take a domestic Chinese train departing Beijing at 8.30pm on any Tuesday night and go to Harbin. Arrive there at 7am the following morning (Wednesday).

2. You then have the whole day in Harbin.

3. Then depart that night (Wednesday) at 7pm on the Russian train, go across the border and arrive Friday morning in Vladivostok at 8am local time. Expect a very LONG wait to cross the Chinese/Russian border.

dandoeskorea · Joined: 10 Apr 2005 Location: London