Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nicco33]

I've been in the process of planning a 2-week trip to Russia this summer for a couple of months now. The idea was to take the ferry over to Vladivostok from Sokcho, spend a day or two in Vladivostok, then hop on the Trans Siberian RR for 3 days and head straight to Ulan Ude, then Baikal (where I was hoping to spend a week hiking, camping and possibly climbing). Then, to wrap things up, the plan was to hop back on the TSR and head to Ulaanbaatar to catch a flight home to Korea.

Everything seemed in order until Friday afternoon when my travel agent informed me that one of the conditions that has to be met when applying for a Russian Visa (as a Canadian residing in Korea) is a minimum of 3 months validity remaining on your Alien Residency Card. My current contract ends this August and as such, I now have only 9 weeks of validity remaining on my card.

My travel agent has informed me that I can still apply, considering that they do occasionally offer visas to people in my situation. However, she also mentioned that the decision rests entirely with the given consular official who happens to be the one to review my application.

Has anyone found themselves in a similar predicament in the past? If so, what were the results? I'm leaning towards applying anyhow, but won't bother if the chances of success are slim.

[chris_J2]

Try posting on LP Thorntree

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=15&keywordid=142

There's an American poster there, 'Everbrite' (Ruth) who gave me very good advice, when I was planning my Russian trip (10 July 2007 > 1 August 2007). I know you'll need a letter of invitation from your Vladivostok Hotel, & each time you move, you'll need to re-register. Keep all your TSR train tickets as proof of temporary 'residency' between hotels/cities.

http://www.trekearth.com/map.php?ctr=Russia&member=ChrisJ

http://www.treklens.com/map.php?ctr=Russia&member=chrisJ

Just click on 'view photos' to see my images, then click on the individual image to enlarge. Olkan Island in Lake Baikal is worth seeing, but I couldn't get a seat on the bus/ferry. You'll be competing with Russian students on vacation, too. To get to Severobaikalsk at the top of Lake Baikal, from Irkutsk, I had to head west towards Moscow by bus to Bratsk, then catch an eastbound train. Both the hydrofoil & the local airplane to Nijniarngarsk, were booked out solid for a week.

I entered Russia from Mongolia with zero months left on my ARC card. Are you sure they don't mean 6 months validity on your passport?

[VanIslander]

vodka

[Tobias]

I'd give the Russian Embassy a call and get the scoop from those who really know the rules.

I've had travel agents tell me I can't change a changeable ticket without paying a fee. You can't trust your agent to know his stuff.

[chris_J2]

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1138063

I'd email Everbrite (Ruth) &/or Sovietman on Daves ESL (another helpful poster). Visa regulations for Russia changed dramatically last year. eg, it's no longer possible to get a visa through Legend Tour, in UB, Mongolia.

[soviet_man]

We had a thread on this topic not that long ago.

eg. The supposed 3 month ARC rule for Russian visas in Korea.

My opinion - it could be true.

But definitely still apply and see what happens = plainly, thousands of ESL teachers in Korea have received Russian visas.

Your itinerary needs to be really clear though, eg how are you going to register your visa in Baikal (Ирку́тск?) and a clear onward itinerary out of Russia.

[nicco33]

[quote

I entered Russia from Mongolia with zero months left on my ARC card. Are you sure they don't mean 6 months validity on your passport?[/quote]

My travel agent (Jeongah from Soho Travel in Seoul--they really are incredibly helpful) listed both the passport AND ARC requirements after speaking with someone at the Russian Embassy in Seoul.

I've decided that it's worth submitting an application (looking at your pictures, Chris, helped reinforce that decision) so with a little luck, maybe I'll be successful. Whatever the case may be, I'll post the outcome in this thread for future reference.

[nicco33]

[chris_J2]

Ирку́тск = Irkutsk, btw.

I sent Ruth a pm, asking for current info on where to register your visa in Irkutsk. A good hotel or hostel will register the visa for you, but the fees vary wildly. Could be 7$, or $20 & up. Visa registration must be done within 3 working days of arrival in Russia, & at every subsequent hostel or hotel you check into. One hostel in Khabarovsk turned me away, because I didn't have papers, after having spent 4 days on the train. There are frequent busses between Irkutsk & Listvyanka, & it's only an hour, on good roads.

[dimnd]

While I lived in Russia, anyone outside of Moscow or St. Pete had to show their papers within 3 days to the police once arriving in the city. All Russian citizens have to do this and their purpose has to be clearly stated as to why they are coming into the city.

Obviously, our purpose is for visiting. However, the Russians are very strict on this. I had to turn in my passport to the Russian police (when I was there for a year on a study abroad at MGU) and it took a few days to get back. Then I stood for hours in the bank to get a photo to take to put on my exit visa. Dot your i's cross your t's and have an itinerary with no ambiguity.

Have fun.

[Tobias]

Buddha imagine what getting a job in Russia would be like.

First, you arrive at your new job and have to tell your local police about your stay. Next, you have to get the work permit, a process that would take several days or longer and require a lot of waiting at the local immy office. After that, one would be required to check in with immy and the police every other month or so. Finally, when the contract is completed, one would have to tie up loose ends with the police and immy. Clearly one would spend the better part of a month of a year-long contract standing in line at immy or the police department.

[soviet_man]

Cool itinerary. Perhaps even overly ambitious if it is your first time in Russia.

Keep in mind, it could go horribly horribly wrong though.

The ferry DongChun isn't in the best shape. A lot of used car salesman, prostitutes and Chinese traders doing their commute home, not many tourist. Passengers sometimes forced off at Зару́бино and not go all the way to Vladivostok. Don't leave any personal belonging out of your sight.

Once you are there the visa registration will be an issue. Register at every place you stay. How you plan to do this at Baikal will be of importance. Any gaps in your registration could very likely result in a major predicament on the way out of Russia.

You will probably get food poisoning or diarrhea while there. Even a seasoned Korea vet will not be immune from Russian water and local food having a negative biological impact. Bring medication with you. Even boiled water isn't to be trusted.

Irkutsk has very high HIV rate. Life expectancy there is about 50. Having relations with the local devushka is not good idea really.

I could go on. But you get the drift. Nothing is simple or as it seems in Russia.

If you get stuck, go to an airport or train station and get out. That is the best advice.

[chris_J2]

Here's ruths reply:

To: chrisj Previous
From: everbrite
Sent: 22-Jun-2009 20:14

Anything written about registration prior to 2008 is probably wrong or outdated because the process has changed. I don't think travel agencies can arrange this anymore. Hotels do it automatically for guests but whether they will for a fee for nonguests I don't know. Hostels usually pass along some fees to arrange this.

Where are you planning to stay in Irkutsk? I am pretty sure that there are a couple of reviews of places on the Thorn Tree.

Waytorussia.net is an information site. They don't sell anything directly but links to companies that do. They are an intermediary.

When I open their site I don't get any popups but then I use firefox as my browser and block popups. Lots of people use the site and their information tends to be reliable but sometimes it is hard to see that it is old and outdated because they don't always date the pages.

Ruth
-------------------------------
Hi Ruth

Do you know if this info is still current for registration of Russian visa documents, on arrival in Irkutsk?

"In Irkutsk:
Address: #255, Baikalskaya st., office 204
Phone: (3952) 35-24-35, 35-47-07, Fax: (3952)
35-24-35
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Irina
or "BaikalTravel", Phone: (3952) 35-24-35, 35-47-07,
Fax: (3952) 38-19-35
Contact: Natalia Tsvetkova
([email protected])
Registration cost: from $20 (may be more)"

"Baikaler Central Backpackers Hostel. This is more like an apartment, rather than hostel. Centrally located at the intersection of Karla Marksa and Lenina street, this hostel is in the heart of Irkutsk. Jack Sheremetoff, who runs it, offers great tours to Baikal and can provide a helpful advice on traveling in the region. The hostel itself is quite neat and comfortable and has all the basic amenities (shower, bath, kitchen, lockers, etc.) You will also be provided with linens and towels. Laundry is $5 for a load. Visa
registration costs 200R ($7)."

I registered my documents at a travel agency in Irkutsk within 3 days of arrival in Irkutsk in July2007, but cannot remember the street address?

Also, is www.waytorussia a safe website? 50 plus screens popped up, before I could close the group!

Cheers Chris
---------------------------------
I never got sick once in Russia. I stuck to bottled water & a mostly Vegan diet, apart from Russian cheese on fresh bread rolls (which was delicious), pizzas, & fresh seafood along the esplanade in Vladivostok.

I did get violently ill with food poisoning in Xian, China, after eating diced chicken in rice, & a greasy omelette. Stick to Macdonalds or KFC, if you must have fast food.

[Neil]

Why are the countries with the strictest immigration rules the same ones that nobody in their right mind would want to illegally immigrant to?

I mean the US, Japan, EU, Oz ect fair enough, they must have people banging on their doors to get in by hook or by crook, but Russia??? That's one of those joints people are desparate to get out of not into.

[ajgeddes]

When I went to Vladivostok last February, I had less than a month left on my ARC. The overall process WAS a huge pain in the ass, though.