HOW TO OBTAIN A RUSSIAN VISA

Visas | Customs | Money | Health | Safety

HOW TO OBTAIN A RUSSIAN VISA

How much does "SERVICE BUREAU" charge for Russian visa support?

Nothing! Provided that tourist services of at least three nights of accommodations are booked through Service Bureau. However, Service Bureau's clients are asked to apply themselves for their Russian visas, and must pay the Russian consulate separately for visa fees. For bookings of less than 3 nights of accommodations, a $25/person Russian visa support fee applies.

Who needs a Russian visa? Practically everyone from a Western country.

What is needed to obtain a Russian visa?

An international passport, valid for at least six months beyond the travel dates to Russia.
Three passport-sized personal photos
Information for visa support: your name, passport #, the date of birth, the date of arrival and departure
An invitation letter from "Service Bureau" travel company or other qualified tourist organization. The invitation letter, or "Travel Voucher," from "Service Bureau" contains the company seal of Service Bureau's sister company in Russia.
Consular fees (Fees may vary depending on the country where Russian visa is obtained, nationality, and how fast the visa is needed. As of 1998, for example, it costs $65 to obtain a single-entry tourist visa - up to two-week processing time - for Russian visas obtained in the USA).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OBTAINING RUSSIAN VISAS

A Russian visa is a separate document not entered into your passport. However, your passport itself will be stamped upon entering/leaving the country (on the back pages).

"Service Bureau" can issue you a visa invitation based on the entry and exit dates that you plan to be in Russia. Technically, "Service Bureau" may only issue visa invitations for the time period for which travel services in Russia are purchased from "Service Bureau" . However, it is possible to tack on "buffering" days to your visa to account for travel uncertainties. ONCE A RUSSIAN VISA IS ISSUED, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT - IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE - TO EXTEND YOUR VISA. TRAVELLERS MAY BE STIFLY FINED FOR LEAVING RUSSIA WITH AN EXPIRED VISA! So, when booking through "Service Bureau" be sure to ask for visa dates to account for all your travelling needs.

Normally, only single-entry visas are issued. A double-entry visa may be issued, depending on the Russian consulate where you apply to, if you provide "Service Bureau" with the exact dates you wish to exit and re-enter Russia. Normally, there will be a doubling of the visa fee from the Russian consulate for double-entry visas.

Procedures for obtaining visas vary slightly from country to country depending on the particular Russian consulate. Therefore, it is best to contact your Russian consulate yourself to find out the latest details (although such information may be provided by "Service Bureau" agents for their corresponding countries). See below for addresses and phone numbers of Russian consulates in the USA and Europe.Some differences between Russian consulates:

	For Russian consulates based in some countries (i.e., USA), it is not necessary to send ones passport to the consulate, only photocopies of the vital pages of the valid passport containing personal data of the bearer.
	For Russian consulates in the USA it may be possible to send a check or money order to handle visa fees. In Europe, often bank transfers must be sent to a bank account specified by the Russian consulate. ALWAYS SEND A COPY OF THE BANK TRANSFER ALONG WITH YOUR VISA APPLICATION. Otherwise, it is possible that the Russian consulate (in Europe) may not have confirmation of your payment, and you would be unpleasantly asked by your post office to pay again to receive delivery of your visa.
	Russian visa fees depend on how rapidly you need your visa. Please allow two weeks for your Russian consulate to process your visa if not paying for "express" service.

Visas | Customs | Money | Health | Safety