Korean Job Discussion Forums

[loki82]

Does anyone know how one would go about getting a Russian visa? I heard a rumour that you need some sort of invitation from someone within the country to be eligable. Can anybody confirm?

[soviet_man]

To apply for a single-entry Russian tourist visa (less than 30 days) you will need:

1. Travel agency invitation OR hotel confirmation voucher.
2. Photo.
3. Signed visa application form.
4. Payment. (Price varies).

The Russian embassy in Seoul **usually** also requests non-Koreans provide a photocopy of their alien card and a copy of flight itinerary/tickets.

Usually most people order a Russian invitation online (for less than 20,000 won) from a Russian travel agency. They will email a scanned voucher to you (usually same day) and you just print it off.

However if you are lazy a few travel agencies (like Marco Polo in Itaewon www.marcopolo.co.kr) can do it all for you. You can also get your visa paperwork done at the Russian agency above the cake shop located one block from Exit 11 at City Hall subway.

Once you get to Russia, you have to register your visa within 3 days at your hotel.

The only Russian visa that doesn't require visa invitations are the 48hr transit visas (you need to have onward tickets) if you are flying onward to somewhere else.

Certainly know your exact itinerary and have flight tickets paid and confirmed before applying (because you will need to be specific about entry/exit dates).

The price for Korea-Russia flights has also actually come down over the past 6 months (Asiana currently 594,000 won to Khabarovsk return which isn't so bad).

[loki82]

Wow, jeez, that's pretty regimented. I suppose I'm in a bit of trouble, since I haven't a clue as to exact dates, which also means I don't have any sort of bookings. I'll be taking the train from China, but that depends on when I end up getting to China. I'll only be there a few days before moving through to the rest of Europe, but again I'm traveling by train so I won't know my departure till I book it in Moscow.

Do you happen to know a website where I could order one of these invitations from?

[davai!]

www.waytorussia.net
www.travel2russia.com

It is way cheaper to buy your tickets point to point for the train. Those agents are great for visa support, but rob you if you buy the train tix thru them.

You get a month for a tourist visa, and you'll need to just have your hotels along the way stamp it. The dates you are on the train, just keep your tickets as proof. Apply for the max. 30 days, or they will only give you 2 wks.

If you're really unsure about the dates, pay more to get a 3 mo. business visa, but you need that business to register it... Make sure that they have an office in Irkutsk or Ulan Ude, where you will probably get to first.

The process is really not that bad, just a hassle. Don't forget to make copies of everything (including that voucher you get for the consulate) and carry them around with you at all times lest you get stopped by the militsia.

You can also skip some of the boring flatlands by flying. www.s7.ru

Their website was diverted just after the crash recently, but should be back up. You can save yourself some train time. They fly from Irkutsk and Novosibirsk into Moscow.

Good luck. I'll buy you a beer in Moscow.

davai!

[whatthefunk]

its actually not that bad, it just sounds bad. i got mine sponsored by waytorussia, the website davai! listed. they will email or fax you a copy of an invitation within a day or two. it costs about 30 US dollars. you will need this, a passport sized photo and an application form. if you are an american citizen, you will need to fill out a special application form to be sure that you or any of your family are in no way involved in the CIA or other covert governemt organization. the embassy will have all of these forms. you will need to go to the embassy in person. getting it done express costs quite alot, but if you wait a week or two, its not that pricey. do a google for the embassy that you are going to to check on specifics. allow an entire morning to take care of it cause they are not fast by any means.

also, how are you going to russia? alot of booking agencies require you to have the visa before you book anything. what you should do is contact a travel agent or booking agency, figure out your dates, get your visa and then book everything. or alot of travel agencies will take care of the visa for you for a small fee.

and davai!...do you live in russia?? where at?? ill be in vladivostok in two weeks, assuming i dont get imprisoned on entrance to the country.

[loki82]

Thanks guys! That was really helpful. I'm getting myself an invitation through way2russia right now.

I will be traveling into Russia from Kazahkstan on the 'Silk Road', sort of, and up into Moscow. I'll probably only be there for a week or two, but I don't know any entry dates, as I don't know how long it'll take me to get from Singapore to Almaty. Hopefully that won't be much of a problem.

Problem is that I live in Daegu, and don't really have time to get up to Seoul to apply for the visa. I might be able to go to the consulate when I get to Singapore, but I'm worried about getting stuck there too long for the processing. Does anyone know if you can do mail-in applications?

I'd love that beer, Davai! Hit me up on MSN - [email protected]

[davai!]

There is a consulate in Busan, just down the street from Busan Station. It is on the water side, and just before the road with the ferryport. It is in a bulding with a huge bank, ATMs in the doorway, etc. 6th floor. There is a Russian flag on the building. (Horizontal White/Blue/Red from top to bottom) I think they're closed on Wednesdays or something.

A visa for Kazakhstan is another story. Can't help you on that one!

[davai!]

Either the embassy or consulate will accept applications with original passport, but only via a messenger. You can not use Kmail!

[loki82]

How do you mean 'messenger'? Like FedEx, or a friend showing up on my behalf?

[davai!]

There are companies there that can hand deliver it. Cheap, too, I hear... about 10000 won.

Sure, if you want to send a friend, they will take it from him.

[dulouz]

From Russia Consualte Seoul...