Russia is for sure one of the most interesting countries to visit. Stretching from the east end of Europe to the Pacific, it offers some of the most amazing views in the whole world, and some of the greatest cities to visit. The country is not expensive at all and this makes it the perfect destination for all budgets. However, getting a visa is extremely difficult due to all the red tape – it can take up to a month, depending on the type of visa and country, and you will have to fill out an application form, which you can normally find at the consulate in your country or online.
The Correct Documents
In order to facilitate getting your visa you must, first of all, make sure that your passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your visa expires and that there are at least two blank pages left for the visa and stamps. You will also need at least one passport-sized photo. Take some extra photos as some Consulates ask for two. The photos should be 3 x 4 cm (1.5 x 2 inches) and the surface should be matte, otherwise the official stamp will not stick to it and it will be rejected by most consulates. Make sure that all your facial features can be seen.
If you want to go as a tourist, you need an invitation. This can be very easily obtained from the hotel or travel agency, but this usually means that you will have to book some nights of accommodation there. Another great way to get the invitation is to at one of their NGOs.
The Types of Visas
Students and non-business travelers need a health certificate to prove that they do not have HIV, though this certificate is only required if you plan to stay in Russia for more than three months. Speaking of health, there are also some specific visas that require you to prove that you have valid health insurance. Students in particular must make sure that they have all the official papers from the school or university where they are going to study and any certificates from their previous educational institution.
A business visa requires an invitation from the host company and the length of your stay. These are usually not that difficult to obtain but the papers have to be very clear. For a transit visa you will need an airplane ticket in order to prove that the visa requested is just for transit. There are many travel agencies that are willing to do all the paperwork for you – obviously, for a fee that can be as high as $100. Take into consideration that the consulate also has its own fees, so try to budget for a bit more than you thought. Be sure to double check the exact visa requirements at your local Russian consulate as the terms and conditions vary depending on your country.
About the Author
So you’re thinking about going to Russia. Great! Although due to the straightforward character of most Russian people and somewhat harshly sounding language many people think otherwise, the country is
... Read More
Our planet is full of natural wonders that never stop to amaze us, the only thing we have to do is discover them and, most importantly, protect them. Russia is
... Read More
When you are thinking about Russia, the images of winter land come to your mind. Piles of snow, frost paintings on windows, little kids with red cheeks building snow fortresses
... Read More
If talking honestly, Russia is one of the most controversial countries around the world nowadays. The political regime is strict there and a lot of fake news create a lot
... Read More
Russian popular music today is getting well accepted by audiences from America, Japan and France. And the bands are making some astonishing music singing mostly in English. Many people in
... Read More
Traveling to Russia most tourists head for Moscow and St. Petersburg and notice there is a vast difference between these two great cities. Where Moscow is hectic and fast-paced the
... Read More
The argument over who actually discovered vodka rages fiercely between Russia and Poland and even Finland throws its proverbial vodka hat into the ring as well. But there is no
... Read More
Russia and caviar are so intertwined they are like peanut butter and jelly. Producing and eating the finest caviar in the world has been a passion for Russians for hundreds
... Read More
Traveling can be a very expensive affair, especially if you do not plan ahead and look for ways to save money from the start. There are, however, some ways that
... Read More
Russia is an amazing country with incredible sights and sounds. It is a terrific place to visit but you may be concerned about the best options to choose when travelling
... Read More
