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Author Topic: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!  (Read 20685 times)

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Offline UTRO

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Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« on: June 03, 2008, 07:02:41 PM »
Well I knew this would eventually happen! Yesterday I was called down to the Russian Consolate in Toronto. I was told that my latest Tourist Visa application was denied and I'd have to re-Apply for a Private Visa.  ::)
« Last Edit: June 03, 2008, 07:41:54 PM by Utrobina »



Offline Ooooops

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2008, 07:09:58 PM »
Did they explain why?

Offline UTRO

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2008, 07:24:55 PM »
The Femnazi asked me why I was going as a Tourist to Russia, expressively Kirov where she said there is nothing to see or do there for a Tourist! I had to be upfront. I explained I'd be meeting Svetlana in Moscow.... that we'd be staying at a Hotel for a few days as Tourists. Then I'd escort Svetlana back to Kirov where I would be staying at a Hotel ;) named on my Invitation. The Femnazi said that if I was visiting my Girlfriend.... the Visa requirement now becomes Private, not Tourist!
As most guys here, who have gone to Russia to visit their GF's, will agree that they have done so on a Tourist Visa via Globalintex, Comfort Travel, etc...



Offline UTRO

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2008, 07:41:00 PM »
I will be visiting Lana from July 10th until the 21st.
I'm sure that most experienced Members here know how Inconvenient and Difficult it is to obtain a Private Visa Invitation.
Lana spent all morning running around. First she had to go to the Ministry of Evil for the proper forms and stand in line for what seemed forever. Then she had to call her Employer's HR department to Fax her a Letter of Employment, which usually takes a week to get but she was persistent and got it right away. Then she had to get everything Notarized. Fortunately she had copies of my Passport already. Then she had to return to the Ministry of Evil before 12pm and stand in line, so the Application would get couriered out to Moscow that day. It will probably take 3 weeks to get the Invitation from Moscow and then she'll have to Courier it to me. Then I'll have to drive back down to Toronto and spend $300 for a same day Emergency Issued Visa because the 15 day window for a normal issued Visa will be closed >:(



Offline Ooooops

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2008, 07:51:14 PM »
I thought that this process was much simplified by now....   let me see if I can find an URL for that.   Or may be I'm mistaken and mixing this visa with some other one...

Quote
4.Original letter of invitation.

    Your relatives or friends (Russian citizens) should provide you with an official letter of invitation bearing your personal data and registered with a local office of the Russian Interior Ministry.

http://www.russianembassy.org/

I don't see anything about employment and notarizations...
« Last Edit: June 03, 2008, 07:56:47 PM by Ooooops »

Offline UTRO

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2008, 08:23:05 PM »
Lana got me a Private Visa Invitation that I used on my last visit in April, so she had to go through all of this before :(
My new Passport contains 4 Russian Visas. Two Tourist Visas, one Transit Visa and a Private Visa.
Lana actually had this Private Invitation prepared for me back in January for a Visit I made in February. However, it didn't look like we would have this Visa in time for my February trip and that's when her friend suggested that I simply contact www.comforttravel.com and have them prepare a Tourist Invitation for $60 bucks. So I did and no problem! When I visited her in February she gave me the Personal Invitation, it had arrived to her from Moscow, and I brought it back with me to Canada. Since I wanted to visit Lana very badly, the Invitation was about to Expire and she spent so much time and money getting it for me I thought, "hey, I may as well put it to good use and visit Lana in April!!" So, I did. In hindsite, I think this is what raised the old Red Flag with the Russians.



Offline UTRO

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2008, 08:29:18 PM »
I thought that this process was much simplified by now....   let me see if I can find an URL for that.   Or may be I'm mistaken and mixing this visa with some other one...

http://www.russianembassy.org/

I don't see anything about employment and notarizations...

Original letter of invitation.
 Your relatives or friends (Russian citizens) should provide you with an official letter of invitation bearing your personal data and registered with a local office of the Russian Interior Ministry.


Yes, but on her end she has to do this for the Russian Interior Ministry. An official Letter of Invitation Application needs all of these things done :(




Offline UTRO

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2008, 08:39:17 PM »
by the way, on the Russian Embassy USA website they refer to a Private Visa as a Homestay Visa
don't want to confuse anyone... anymore than I have :)



Offline Ooooops

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2008, 09:51:57 PM »
Bummer....   It'll teach you to be honest with Consular workers - you should have said that you have always dreamed to visit Kirov since you were a little boy ...   :D 

Good luck with paperwork!   Actually, last couple times we've used this company - http://www.russianembassy.org/ - and they not only got us (my husband and I both travel on US passports now) invitations but they also registered our visas in Moscow.   Very efficient people, I'd use them again if I go.

Offline BC

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #9 on: June 04, 2008, 01:14:01 PM »
Just looked at the RU visa application I sent off a couple days ago (visa approved).

Yep.. flat forgot to fill out the bottom portion where it asks about relatives living in RU.

Do MIL and FIL count?

I guess if a RU woman told the Consulate she was going to visit her boyfriend in the US she would also have a hard time...

Victim of Reciprocity?

Offline Misha

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
« Reply #10 on: June 04, 2008, 01:42:18 PM »
The Femnazi asked me why I was going as a Tourist to Russia, expressively Kirov where she said there is nothing to see or do there for a Tourist!

That is what I call promoting tourism in Russia LOL!

Offline Pike

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
« Reply #11 on: June 04, 2008, 02:52:58 PM »
That is what I call promoting tourism in Russia LOL!

Don't forget you are dealing with an entirely different mind-set!!
I am a sex tourist who is driven by the hunt with no emotion or empathy and suffer from Satyriasis, Don Juan Syndrome and Madonna-Whore complex (but on alternating days) with confidence issues and many other issues. I suffer loneliness with no family, friends or money.  I have ED and orgasm problems

Offline Misha

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
« Reply #12 on: June 04, 2008, 02:58:29 PM »
Don't forget you are dealing with an entirely different mind-set!!

It is called sarcasm. Note the LOL at the end of my statement. I have spent enough time in Russia to know quite well the Russian worldview.

Offline OlgaH

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
« Reply #13 on: June 04, 2008, 03:25:34 PM »
The Femnazi asked me why I was going as a Tourist to Russia, expressively Kirov where she said there is nothing to see or do there for a Tourist!

The first colonies on the territory of the Kirov (if you are talking about administrative center of Kirov Oblast)  appeared about 2,500 years ago. The city of Khlynov (in 1781 the city was named as Vyatka and after in 1934 was renamed in honor of a bolshevik leader Sergei Mironovich Kirov)  was founded in 1181. In 1378 Khlynov became the main residence of the Suzdal' princes.

Kirov is interesting with its architecture of 17-19 centuries and of course there are some historical places to see  :)

Photos of Kirov
http://a100video.narod.ru/citygallery.htm

http://pro.gorodkirov.ru/gallery/pro/pro_new_arch/index_html?s=1

Cathedral of the Assumption on the territory of the Trifonov Monastery that was founded in 1580 by order of Ivan the Terrible

Vyatka Cathedral of the Transfiguration on the territory of Vyatka Preobrazhebsky Monastery that was founded in 1624

____________________________________
Another town with the same name Kirov (also known as Pesochnya) is located in Kaluga Oblast where you can visit the Kirovsky Municipal Museum of History and Regional Studies  :)


Offline thompsongunner06

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #14 on: June 04, 2008, 03:27:19 PM »
It has gotten more difficult to get visa's now with our stupid politicians. Russia is going to try to keep Americans out. We will now only fly to Ukraine since it is way less trouble. It is sad because visits to Russia were very fun and interesting.Now you have lied to a government official. Now you will be sent to Siberia Comrade!

Offline UTRO

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #15 on: June 04, 2008, 04:44:37 PM »
It has gotten more difficult to get visa's now with our stupid politicians. Russia is going to try to keep Americans out. We will now only fly to Ukraine since it is way less trouble. It is sad because visits to Russia were very fun and interesting.Now you have lied to a government official. Now you will be sent to Siberia Comrade!

LoL!! I hope not! My paperwork never made it far out of my hands into the Femnazi's, so hopefully she won't remember my name?!? :) That being said.... There is no way Lana will be able to get me a Private (Homestay) Visa in time for July 10th. Visa application rules to Russia from Canada were changed as of June 1st. No longer can I obtain a Visa, of any kind, in under 15 days! Before June 1st there were different $$ Tiers, of how much you were charged for a Visa, based on how soon you needed it. The quicker you needed it, the more $$ it cost. Before June 1st you could obtain a 'Same Day Visa' for $300. Now the rules state that, to obtain a Same Day Visa you have to be a Russian Citizen and it has to be for a family Emergency... sickness and or death. On a sidenote, this sucks because Lana's Mum has Brain and Bone Cancer which is diagnosed as inoperative.... meaning if she succumbs there is no way I'll ever make it to be by Lana's side :(
Okay... all of this being said I know and I'm a Canadian Citizen and I have no right to simply enter Russia. It is a Privilege to enter any Country other than my own. I respect that.... but it still sucks. Especially when you have a Girlfriend balling her eyes out on the phone :(
Anyway, today I went and visited a Visa Specialist in Toronto. I might have some good news tomorrow :)



Offline OlgaH

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #16 on: June 04, 2008, 04:50:50 PM »
Good luck to you and your lady  :)

Offline UTRO

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
« Reply #17 on: June 04, 2008, 04:57:27 PM »
The first colonies on the territory of the Kirov (if you are talking about administrative center of Kirov Oblast)  appeared about 2,500 years ago. The city of Khlynov (in 1781 the city was named as Vyatka and after in 1934 was renamed in honor of a bolshevik leader Sergei Mironovich Kirov)  was founded in 1181. In 1378 Khlynov became the main residence of the Suzdal' princes.

Kirov is interesting with its architecture of 17-19 centuries and of course there are some historical places to see  :)

Photos of Kirov
http://a100video.narod.ru/citygallery.htm

http://pro.gorodkirov.ru/gallery/pro/pro_new_arch/index_html?s=1

Cathedral of the Assumption on the territory of the Trifonov Monastery that was founded in 1580 by order of Ivan the Terrible

Vyatka Cathedral of the Transfiguration on the territory of Vyatka Preobrazhebsky Monastery that was founded in 1624

____________________________________
Another town with the same name Kirov (also known as Pesochnya) is located in Kaluga Oblast where you can visit the Kirovsky Municipal Museum of History and Regional Studies  :)




Thanks for that Olga! Yes it is actually quite an interesting city and sits on the bank of the Yatka river. Those photos are very cool and I have to say that I need to get to see more of those sights. One of those photos shows a building across the street from she works at MTS.  Lana was a Red student through highschool and is quite proud and up on the history of Kirov. I do like to get out and walk on my own when I visit. Hopefully I'll still get there for July!! Lots of nice Cafes' :)
« Last Edit: June 04, 2008, 05:00:41 PM by Utrobina »



Offline UTRO

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #18 on: June 04, 2008, 05:17:39 PM »
Oh yes! I went to the Trifonov Monastery, when I visited in April, with Lana and her friends to light some Candles for her Mum's Health :) There is spring water, holy(?), flowing eternally... where people gather to splash it on themselves and drink it! Sorry, I'm not very religious but I found the place fascinating! It is located right beside a soccer football field, where it was explained to me that back in the Soviet Times (80s I believe) there was a completely unexpected and unheard of terrorist act of an explosion being detonated and it killed many people? I don't know much more, but in the photo you posted of the Monastery, Olga, you can see the field in the foreground. Do you know anything about this event?
Again, Thank-you!  :D

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Trifonov_monastery_Kirov.jpg
« Last Edit: June 04, 2008, 05:20:56 PM by Utrobina »



Offline Ronnie

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #19 on: June 04, 2008, 06:22:06 PM »
It has gotten more difficult to get visa's now with our stupid politicians. Russia is going to try to keep Americans out. 
Wow, Toronto is finally part of the United States?  Did we win the war of 1812 after all? Hurrah!

Seriously, I don't think Russia has the same issues with Canada as it does with the US.  So this wouldn't be retribution, I don't believe.  To me it's the same old story of a beauracrat denying someone something on a trumped up reason in order to encourage a bribe.

Proper response would be to meet Sveta in Kyiv.


Ronnie
Fourth year now living in Ukraine.  Speak Russian, Will Answer Questions.

Offline UTRO

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #20 on: June 04, 2008, 06:58:34 PM »

Seriously, I don't think Russia has the same issues with Canada as it does with the US.  So this wouldn't be retribution, I don't believe.  To me it's the same old story of a beauracrat denying someone something on a trumped up reason in order to encourage a bribe.

Proper response would be to meet Sveta in Kyiv.


Yes someone else mentioned the Ukraine to me before as well.... perhaps next time :)
When I went to the Visa Consulting Service today, the Director said that the Toronto Russian Consolate had just recently been purged and new staff brought in. He also went on to say that there has been quite a few complaints about the woman I had encountered.  :(
 



Offline Ronnie

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #21 on: June 05, 2008, 12:53:22 AM »
Last i looked, Aerosvit was flying nonstop between Toronto and Kyiv..good price too.
Ronnie
Fourth year now living in Ukraine.  Speak Russian, Will Answer Questions.

Offline Ooooops

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
« Reply #22 on: June 05, 2008, 12:55:58 AM »
off topic

By the way, Utrobina in Russian means "bottomless gut"  (no offense, I hope, judging by your photo)   :D

Offline Zmejka

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
« Reply #23 on: June 05, 2008, 09:02:38 AM »
The Femnazi said that if I was visiting my Girlfriend.... the Visa requirement now becomes Private, not Tourist!
That was exactly we problem what we had while my friend was applying for Russian Tourist visa for the second time to my city. They said in the embassy that if he's going to that city for the second time surely he has relatives there and should apply for Private visa. We had the confirmation of hotel booking but that didn't matter to them. They asked for confirmation of paying for the hotel for the whole period of staying. Only after we had that confirmation in hand they granted him a visa. But the truth was that he really didn't plan to stay in the hotel. So next time we didn't want to push luck and asked my parents to make a private invitation so we applied for private visa. In the embassy they explained that they tightened the requirement for tourist visa because of some new law concerning terrorism :rolleyes2:
« Last Edit: June 05, 2008, 09:09:26 AM by Zmejka »

Offline UTRO

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Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
« Reply #24 on: June 05, 2008, 01:43:08 PM »
In the embassy they explained that they tightened the requirement for tourist visa because of some new law concerning terrorism :rolleyes2:

Well Zmejka, it was certainly nice of them to tell you the Real reason behind the reason! I was pretty much 'cattle prodded' out the door without an explanation :(

So... I feel like I experienced a little bit of Russia today in Canada.... Greasing the palm as it were? Payment to the right individual?? A Bribe maybe??? Don't know, don't wanna' know  ;)
In short, My Tourist Visa was approved!!  :o
The Visa Consulting Service, I went to, got it done for me With the Original Invitation even. I guess it's all about who you know... and having it sent to the Russian Embassy in Ottawa for approval rather than the Toronto Consolate :)
It cost me some extra $$, but it was worth every penny to hear Lana scream with joy on the other end of the phone!!    :couple:
« Last Edit: June 05, 2008, 01:45:33 PM by Utrobina »



 

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