Russian Women Discussion

RWD Discussion Groups => Experienced => Topic started by: UTRO on June 03, 2008, 07:02:41 PM

Title: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO 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.  ::)
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
Post by: Ooooops on June 03, 2008, 07:09:58 PM
Did they explain why?
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
Post by: UTRO 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...
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
Post by: UTRO 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 >:(
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Ooooops 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...
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO 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.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO 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 :(

Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO 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 :)
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Ooooops 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.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: BC 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?
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
Post by: Misha 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!
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
Post by: Pike 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!!
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
Post by: Misha 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.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
Post by: OlgaH 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 (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Trifonov_monastery_Kirov.jpg) that was founded in 1580 by order of Ivan the Terrible

Vyatka Cathedral of the Transfiguration (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ru/0/02/Preobrazhensky_Vyatka_church.jpg) 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  :)

Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: thompsongunner06 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!
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO 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 :)
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: OlgaH on June 04, 2008, 04:50:50 PM
Good luck to you and your lady  :)
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
Post by: UTRO 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 (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Trifonov_monastery_Kirov.jpg) that was founded in 1580 by order of Ivan the Terrible

Vyatka Cathedral of the Transfiguration (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ru/0/02/Preobrazhensky_Vyatka_church.jpg) 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' :)
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO 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
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Ronnie 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.


Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO 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.  :(
 
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Ronnie on June 05, 2008, 12:53:22 AM
Last i looked, Aerosvit was flying nonstop between Toronto and Kyiv..good price too.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Ooooops 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
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
Post by: Zmejka 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:
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
Post by: UTRO 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:
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Today!
Post by: Ronnie on June 05, 2008, 06:11:29 PM
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:

Вот так!  What did I tell you?

BTW the "terrorism" excuse is a farce.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO on June 05, 2008, 09:38:41 PM
Last i looked, Aerosvit was flying nonstop between Toronto and Kyiv..good price too.

Ya we looked at that Ronnie, but it would be a two day train ride for Svet  :(  Although we won't rule it out as a possibility for next summer!
We are spending the weekend I arrive, July 11th & 12th, in Moscow. That city just drives me nuts with the Hotel room prices and the crap you get for those prices!! :( Lana has friends flying to Spain, staying in 2 or 3 Star Hotels for a week, for less than what the 'old Soviet' shyt costs for a weekend and far nicer too!
Actually, I think we may have found something reasonable.... Has anyone ever heard of the Alexander Block (Blok)? It's a small retired Austrian cruise liner tied up along the Moskva River. It has been converted into a Hotel - Casino and seems reasonably priced, 3000R. I don't really care if it's not the Marriott.... just so it's clean and comfortable for 2 nights :) http://www.nakorable.ru/hotel/rooms/photos/
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Ronnie on June 05, 2008, 10:40:49 PM
Flights to Kyiv aren't so expensive are they?

Expensive hotels?
When did guys start staying in hotels instead of apartments?
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Ooooops on June 05, 2008, 11:03:41 PM
Has anyone ever heard of the Alexander Block (Blok)? It's a small retired Austrian cruise liner tied up along the Moskva River. It has been converted into a Hotel - Casino and seems reasonably priced, 3000R. I don't really care if it's not the Marriott.... just so it's clean and comfortable for 2 nights :) http://www.nakorable.ru/hotel/rooms/photos/


I would think that if it's a casino it'll be very noisy and cigarette smoke filled. 
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Al_C on June 08, 2008, 04:23:03 AM
Just as an aside, I have always used www.passportexpress.com.  The people there know their stuff and seems to always have the path of least resistance to get around the bureacratic idiots.  Their fees are reasonable and well worth it for their expertise alone.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: ConnerVT on June 08, 2008, 05:12:01 AM
Just as an aside, I have always used ...

Quote
American Passport Express can assist in securing visas for U.S. citizens traveling to foreign countries.

Which doesn't help the original poster any, as he is a Canadian citizen.  Seems as Canada recently angered some folks who work at the Kremlin, so they are making things more difficult for Candians to get visas these days...
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: BC on June 08, 2008, 05:56:25 AM
Which doesn't help the original poster any, as he is a Canadian citizen.  Seems as Canada recently angered some folks who work at the Kremlin, so they are making things more difficult for Candians to get visas these days...

Any references?.. just interested in such, no barb attached.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: ConnerVT on June 08, 2008, 06:27:48 AM
Russian visa policy typically is one of reciprocity.  If one country places a rule or restriction in place, Russia will match it.

Looking through several visa support sites, all have singled out Canadian citizens saying that there will be a minimum 15 day turn around time.  Other nationalities can (for a fee) have a visa expedited in a day or two.

For Canada to be singled out like this, they must of put something in place that someone in Russia took exception to...
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Misha on June 08, 2008, 07:46:16 AM
Looking through several visa support sites, all have singled out Canadian citizens saying that there will be a minimum 15 day turn around time.  Other nationalities can (for a fee) have a visa expedited in a day or two.

For Canada to be singled out like this, they must of put something in place that someone in Russia took exception to...

This is a recent change. A couple years ago you could pay more to get a Russian visa processed faster. The main change on the Canadian side was the switch to having all visa applications delivered by a courier company: Pony Express. Applications for a temporary residence (i.e. a visa for a tourist or other visitor) and permanent residence are no longer accepted in person. You must pay the fee to Pony Express who handles the delivery of the application and the return of the passport and visa. Not all applicants are interviewed for a temporary residence visa.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO on June 08, 2008, 01:24:09 PM
This is a recent change. A couple years ago you could pay more to get a Russian visa processed faster.

You are correct Misha! In fact this is a Very new change. When I applied for a Visa, for my April trip, there were many different Tiers of processing still available. IE: 10 day, 5 day, 1 day, etc.. Not anymore!
According to http://visa.visaconnection.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=36 this came into effect June 1st. I went for my latest Visa June 2nd.
I don't know if this was actually a result of Canada pissing somebody off at the Kremlin? I would say not because one thing that is now available to Canadians are Multiple Entry Tourist Visas. These were available to other nationalities for some time but not for Canadians at all until this Spring?! So they've tightened things up in one respect and loosened things off in another ???
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: steviej on June 08, 2008, 04:38:03 PM
I always used a company called "ZVS" which can be found at ZVS dot com. I paid them the money, and they always got the visas for me (thank God I don't have to go through that anymore - married to my RW 5 yrs now:) I noticed on their website that you can request any "from" country and any "to" country, so it looks like they claim to offer service in Canada, FYI
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO on June 08, 2008, 05:39:57 PM
Thanks Steve, I'll check them out! So every time you travelled to Russia did you do so on a Tourist Visa? With 4 Russian Visas in my Passport within a year, a fifth to be added at the end of the month, I'm wondering if Russian Passport Control starts to wonder, "why the hell would this guy want to visit here so often?!?"
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Misha on June 08, 2008, 05:41:42 PM
Thanks Steve, I'll check them out! So every time you travelled to Russia did you do so on a Tourist Visa? With 4 Russian Visas in my Passport within a year, a fifth to be added at the end of the month, I'm wondering if Russian Passport Control starts to wonder, "why the hell would this guy want to visit here so often?!?"

Well, my guess is that they already know. It would be fascinating to know how much the FSB keeps on file.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO on June 08, 2008, 06:18:34 PM
Well, my guess is that they already know. It would be fascinating to know how much the FSB keeps on file.

Yes, it really would be!
I guess I'm getting Paranoid :)
I was planning on bringing a good old little Hibachi with me this time and a 5kg slab of Beef Tenderloin to cut up into big thick steaks to give Lana, her family and friends a taste of Canadian/USA BBQ'ing. Now I'm not too sure. Kinda' worry what might happen if I am marked for a Claimed Luggage Inspection! I think there's still a ban on American Beef??
Has anyone had a Russian Style BBQ? See pics :)
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: ScottinCrimea on June 08, 2008, 06:31:34 PM
Anyone who has been to the FSU and not had a shashlik barbecue hasn't really experienced the FSU!

I'm not sure what fuel you would use with the hibachi as I don't recall seeing charcoal briquets available there and there isn't room in it for much wood.

While my wife enjoys a good grilled steak, she absolutely can't stand barbecue sauce. Something about anything sweet on meat doesn't sit right with her.  Totally unAmerican!
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: steviej on June 08, 2008, 07:34:05 PM
Thanks Steve, I'll check them out! So every time you travelled to Russia did you do so on a Tourist Visa? With 4 Russian Visas in my Passport within a year, a fifth to be added at the end of the month, I'm wondering if Russian Passport Control starts to wonder, "why the hell would this guy want to visit here so often?!?"
I think during  the era of our courtship, I went a total of 7 times. I think the most that fell into one calendar year was 3 times. Everytime, I gave ZVS a bunch of money, and they gave me visas, invitation letters, and whatever else I needed. I don't know if I was lucky or they have all the right palms greased. Conditions may have changed over the past 5 years too. I know they're not too fond of our idiot president.

Also, about trying to take anything out of the ordinary through customs .. I'd say don't do it. I would never try to take anything in or out except my underwear. The best approach is never to have anything to explain, with these guys. If you want to send some meat, I'd try some mail-order company that would do mail order delivery. Then if its stopped, it has nothing to do with you and can't interfere with your trip.

Actually, I am remember one time I had a problem ... and it was the last time I went during that era, and it was to bring my wife here on her fiance visa !!! It was my fault, but for some reason, maybe nervousness, I put the wrong dates down in my application materials to ZVS, and when my plane landed in SVO, guess what? I was there one day earlier than my visa allowed. And you know what? They wouldn't let me in. They were going to force me to go back, or get arrested, and a bunch of other harrassment. They can do to you whatever you want. And on the other side of passport control, my fiance and her father were waiting for me to appear, and I didn't. I was frantic! They had made a long trip to get to Moscow and her father had taken off from work. Well, if they weren't there, I would have been screwed, but they figured out something went wrong, and they know how to work the Russian system, especially her father. They found out there was one American who had been "detained", and went to work. It worked out that they set it up for me to pay a few people the correct "fines" and then they gave me updated paperwork. Whew !!! So, my advice of course do everything exactly by the book, and don't make any assumption of do anything that might require an explanation or exception (like bringing something in or out). Good luck!!
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Ronnie on June 08, 2008, 11:20:35 PM
Russian visa policy typically is one of reciprocity.  If one country places a rule or restriction in place, Russia will match it.


Yep, this is good old Soviet mentality.  The west does something that they interpret as a slap in the face so they shoot themselves in the foot to reciprocate!

If they were really into the capitalist mentality, they'd retaliate by dropping the visa requirement and just charge a entrance fee and exit fee like Mexico does.  That way they get more Western dollars into their system by bringing in more tourists.  Americans/Canadians will pay the fees, they just don't want the hassle and delays.

Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Al_C on June 09, 2008, 04:19:13 PM
The visa fees are already hefty as they are:  $100/$200/$300.  No other country charges anywhere near this amount.  This is a profit center for them.

The reason I suggest a large expediting agency like Passport Express is volume.  If the Russian consulate is accustomed to a PE representative walking in there every day with a stack of visa apps, they are not going to give those apps nearly as much scrutiny as one that comes in as a one time deal.  This is daily business for both of them, and their objective is to just get it done.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: steviej on June 09, 2008, 04:35:03 PM
The visa fees are already hefty as they are:  $100/$200/$300.  No other country charges anywhere near this amount.  This is a profit center for them.

The reason I suggest a large expediting agency like Passport Express is volume.  If the Russian consulate is accustomed to a PE representative walking in there every day with a stack of visa apps, they are not going to give those apps nearly as much scrutiny as one that comes in as a one time deal.  This is daily business for both of them, and their objective is to just get it done.


Al, I agree. A well established agency that brings in lots of visa apps. (a.k.a. $$$), knows peoples' faces and names, that's gotta be a better way to go, rather than being a "one off" of any kind.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Ooooops on June 10, 2008, 06:24:54 AM
Not exactly about the passport expiration but did you know that if you are abroad and you passport runs out of empty pages you can just go to the nearest US embassy and within 15 minutes get an insert with another 15 or so pages for free?   
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: OlgaH on June 14, 2008, 08:42:26 AM
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

Sorry for my late answer. We had our about 6 days cruise.

The holy spring is right under the wooden chapel (http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x105/RWH777/churchs/StTrifon.jpg) that was built by Reverend Trifon in the 17th century (the chapel was restored in 1990)

I can not recall that terrorist act in Kirov. If the event happened during the Soviet time probably it did not receive broad publicity.   
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: cic_arnel on October 29, 2009, 07:59:39 PM
Hello Utrobina,

Sorry if I don`t know your name so please pardon me. The reason why I am writing this is because I had exactly the same experience that you have regarding applying for a Russian tourist visa. You see, I am planning to visit my girlfriend in Moscow January next year. Last week I send my application to the Toronto consulate and this man was giving me a hard time and asking too many questions and told me that I should apply instead for a Private Invitation visa. As you described, it would be hard for my girlfriend to apply one for me. Not that she doesn`t want to but I don`t want her to suffer too much. Now I was wondering which Visa Consulting Agency did you use to apply for the tourist visa? I don`t mind paying extra just to avoid all the hassles and bureaucracy. By the way I live here in Edmonton, Alberta. I would appreciate your advice. Hope to hear from you soon.

Arnelio
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Phil dAmore on October 29, 2009, 08:50:03 PM
Don't forget you are dealing with an entirely different mind-set!!

Yes, and that mind set is that they don't want foreigners there. At. All.  Oh, if you REALLY want to go they will issue the visa, after you jump through more hoops than a bear in the Moscow circus and pay the highest visa fees in the world, but make no mistake, they don't want us there.  Not to visit and most definitely not to live.

I got shot down for a tourist visa because the consulate said that I had too many previous business visas.  However they were happy to sell me another biz visa, at a higher cost.
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: UTRO on October 29, 2009, 10:47:57 PM
LoL! As Phil said :)
I sent you a PM Arnelio.
Business Visa is the way to go!!
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: ohman4966 on December 06, 2009, 09:36:38 AM
How is the business visa the better way to go? thanks
Title: Re: Denied a Russian Tourist Visa Yesterday!
Post by: Phil dAmore on December 06, 2009, 11:48:06 AM
Biz visas are better because they allow you the most flexibility when it comes to traveling.   They can be ordered as 'multi-entry', allowing you to exit and re-enter the country as many times as you wish during the valid period of the visa without having to buy a new visa every time.

Example: Say you want to meet your gal in Moscow, then jet off for a lovely vacation in Aruba and after that escort her back home.  With a biz visa you could enter Russia to pick her up, exit and then after the vacation re-enter Russia on the same visa at no additional cost (except registration fees).

Yes they cost a bit more at the outset but they are worth it especially if you plan on more than one trip per year.

On a biz visa you can't stay in the country for more than 90 consecutive days at a time but that really isn't an issue unless you plan on living in Russia full time.

I'm not sure what the latest registration rules are as they change frequently but I believe that each time you enter the country you are supposed to re-register the visa and also you need to 'de-register' the visa when you leave.  I have never bothered to 'de-register' and it hasn't caused any issues .