MizzouMike76
St. Louis Innocent Civilian Posts: 16
Best place or procedure for obtaining Visa to Russia 22nd Jul '08 8:14 AM
Folks,
I plan my little jaunt over to Russia for around 10 September. I have seen a number of places online to get a visa. I'm guessing I should get a business visa.
Anyplace reccommended over others? I'm traveling over there, staying with friends, and have no work or job lined up just yet. I'm taking old Bobs12 on faith and going to show up and find a job.
bobs12
Saint Petersburg Crusty Tech Support Veteran Posts: 1008
22nd Jul '08 8:45 AM
It's nice to be trusted Not sure I enjoy the responsibility, mind you
I can't recommend any agencies as I haven't used one in ages. What's your nationality? I forget
I can get you a biz visa invitation from an SPb agency reasonably cheaply, but if you're planning on being in Moscow, I'd recommend going through one there (I can't really help with that).
The difference is simply that you usually get your registration from the agency that issues your invitation (although if you're staying with friends and they're willing to go to OVIR, they should be able to register you at their apartment). Agencies that I know of here in SPb charge way more (extortionately more) to register visas that they didn't issue invitations for.
That said, I've heard that it's a different situation in Moscow although don't take my word for it (i.e. check in advance).
MizzouMike76
St. Louis Innocent Civilian Posts: 16
Visas 23rd Jul '08 10:32 AM
Bobs,
I hail from the land of Brittney Spears and Barak Obama. No not E! but the USofA.
I have looked into a number of places online. A lot of them seem to cater to the business traveler, and can get the visa done quickly, but only a few websites bother to go into any detail about where to register once you arrive. GoToRussia.net actually has a kiosk at the Moscow airport, how convenient! So just for that, they're looking like a possibility.
I'd ship off my passport tomorrow, but next Wednesday I'll be off to Tirana, Albania for two weeks. Long story. So I'll have just a few weeks to get it done once I come back from there.
As per your advice in another thread, I will go for a 6 month business visa, maybe even a 12 month? And I am assuming once I find a job I will then work with the school to get my work visa, yes? Also, I plan on getting a multiple entry visa as I would like to pop in and out of Russia from time to time to visit the Ukraine, Romania, hell maybe even Egypt.
If any of my assumptions are in error, please let me know. Damn, I feel so clueless in all this! I'm really glad y'all are here helping out. Maybe this time next year I'll be an old salt dispensing my hard-earned wisdom to the new batch of prospective educators.
MizzouMike76
St. Louis Innocent Civilian Posts: 16
still confused 25th Jul '08 1:06 AM
Folks,
I'm still a bit confused about how to go about all this visa business. Here is what I know so far, and please correct me if I'm wrong:
*get a plane ticket. I'm going to get a one-way ticket, as I have no idea when I'm leaving. Or is this a BIG mistake? Suggestions?
*Get a business visa, for 6 to 12 months.
*Register said visa immediately upon arrival in Moscow. Staying with friends, and since some of these agencies have desks at the airport this should be straightforward.
*I got my visa and I'm in country. Start looking for a job. Once I find a job, the school will help me or apply on my behalf for a work visa (or some form of visa support).
*I can now stay in Moscow and work legally.
?If I want to travel in and out of Russia while teaching, I need to get a multi-entry visa?
?Even if my initial business visa is for say, 6 months, do I still need to go stay in Crimea after three months or can I stay in country the whole time?
Folks I am sorry for all the newbie questions. I really just don't want to show up in Moscow and find out I did something wrong, didn't get the right papers in order, or otherwise bungled things and need to come home at a huge waste of money and time.
This will be my first time getting a visa in my life; my first time to Russia, and only my second trip overseas.
Again, thanks to everyone for the help; couldn't have done it without you!
bobs12
Saint Petersburg Crusty Tech Support Veteran Posts: 1008
25th Jul '08 2:24 PM
Sorry, been conserving energy since I got back from 'vacation'
Let's try to go through one point at a time:
So are we
Only if it's much more expensive. Just make sure you save a reserve of cash for your 'escape plan'
Sounds reasonable
Sounds reasonable too, just make sure they're open when your plane lands if you're counting on doing it that way. Check with them whether you need to return to their office to pick anything up later. Also make sure (if you're getting your visa through a different organisation) that the people you want to register it will do so.
Registering a business visa (the last few times I registered) entailed a visit to the agency for them to copy my migration card & passport, then another visit to pick up the actual FMS registration paper.
Have at least one or two (three is better) schools lined up before you go. There is no guarantee that any school will take you on a contract and provide visa support in the timescale you need.
Not yet. Not until you have a contract, a work permit and a work visa. This is several months down the line.
Yes. Otherwise your visa would be void every time you left the country and you'd have to get a new one (ballache).
The work visa is multi-entry, as are teacher visas.
You will be restricted to 90 days out of every 180. If you have only a 6-month business visa, that means that when your 90 days are up, your visa is not good for entry any more. You would need a 12 month visa. 90 days in, 90 days out and 90 days in again.
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