Tourist visa (from Canada)

[CanadaMan]

Hi Folks,

 This is my first post here so please be gentle with me. 
I've read quite a few posts over the past week or so and have learned a lot from this site already.
It's a great resource indeed!

I plan on making a trip to Russia in the near future for the first time.
Of course I need to obtain a tourist visa before I go.

I've read many threads here about tourist visas and learned a lot of information but haven't read a post yet that describes my situation of wanting to obtain the visa myself and not use an agency. I'm from Canada, and perhaps the Canadian Embassy has slightly different requirements than other countries.

Here is the list of required documents that the Russian Embassy in Toronto has at their website:

Tourist Visa Requirements
1. Visa application form
2. Passport
3. Photocopy of ID page in passport
4. One passport photo
5. STANDARD FORM OF CONFIRMATION AND VOUCHER FOR FOREIGN TOURISTS. CONFIRMATION  issued by the Russian hosting travel company. It carries a REFERENCE-NUMBER of the hosting company.
6. Single entry fee: $75 CAN

 All of the items listed are pretty simple and self-explanatory except for number five (5).

If I go through an agency to have them obtain my visa, then obviously they would take care of number five as well as the rest.

But what if I want to do the entire application myself and bring it to the Russian Embassy in Toronto?

How do I tackle number five in that case? I'm completely baffled with that one.
I would be an independent traveler, not going with a group or on business or anything like that.

Thanks in advance (I'm a do-it-yourself type of guy usually).

[Faux Pas]

You can buy an invitation letter from any number of services. However, in the US starting earlier this year the Russian consulate at the various embassies would no longer accept visa applications that were mailed and only an authorized service was permitted to present them in person. It may be different in Canada I do not know.

[Vaughn]

5. STANDARD FORM OF CONFIRMATION AND VOUCHER FOR FOREIGN TOURISTS. CONFIRMATION  issued by the Russian hosting travel company. It carries a REFERENCE-NUMBER of the hosting company.


But what if I want to do the entire application myself and bring it to the Russian Embassy in Toronto?

How do I tackle number five in that case? I'm completely baffled with that one.

Faux Pas brings up a valid point - check by calling the Embassy if you can self-apply. I see no provision
for that on the website of the Russian Embassy in Toronto. Better safe than sorry.

As for handling #5, you're going to have to buy an invitation, like it or not. There are many registered
travel companies in Russia that you can deal with. This one below charges 20 Euro for a tourist visa,
but if the Toronto Embassy requires an original (not faxed) invitation you'll incur UPS Express charges.

http://www.visaru.com/

There is a Toronto office of Russian American Consulting, a NY-based agency that can handle invitations.
Their toll free number is  877-268-2677, although that might be the NY number.

Unless you're saving considerable money by going the application alone, take it from an American guy
who's done it alone four times - DON'T - the headaches aren't worth the paltry savings. 

[Ridersfan]

 I do not have any experience with Russia but the required documentation is very similar to what I needed to visit kazakhstan.

 I believe #5 is what is typically refered to as the "Letter of Invitation". It is usually supplied by a tourist agency in Russia. In regards to a Tourist Visa, I do not know of any way not to involve an agency of some kind.

 You might want to get in contact with a travel agency in Canada that arranges trips to Russia, they may steer you towards a reputable travel agency in Russia that could provide this letter.

 If you plan on renting an apartment it may be easiest to just use the services of an agency that arranges visas.

  Good luck,

  Rob

 .

[UTRO]

Do you live in or near Toronto?
#5 refers to Invitation.
For my first few Tourist Visas I went to the Consulate on my own. The first Invitation I had was legitimate from one of the Moscow Marriotts. The second was from Comfort Travel in Toronto. www.comforttravel.ca/page18 It costs $75 for the Invitation and they'll email it to you within 2 hours. Looks like a Fax copy when you print it off.
Like you, I'm a do it yourself type of guy... yes, I am cheap
But then one time last year I was flagged at the Consulate because I was no longer regarded as a Tourist!! See my Topic......
www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=7747.msg138368#msg138368

Being it's your first time, without any Russian Visas in your Passport, there should be no issues.
Oh, and you have to pay the Russian Consulte with a Bank Draft or Money Order. No Cash, no Personal Cheque.

[CanadaMan]

Thanks Vaughn, Ridersfan and Utrobina for helping out!

Do you live in or near Toronto?

 Yes I live pretty close by.


>>Being it's your first time, without any Russian Visas in your Passport, there should be no issues.
Oh, and you have to pay the Russian Consulte with a Bank Draft or Money Order. No Cash, no Personal Cheque. <<

Thanks.
After reading all the advice on this, I think I'll go the agency route for the visa.

Yes it costs a little more, but then there's the travel and time I'd need to put into it.
So I guess an agency will be OK this time.

I can't help but think though that both the agencies and the consulates have a deal worked out whereby the consulate gets a kickback from the agency.
But, c'est la vie.

[UTRO]

I can't help but think though that both the agencies and the consulates have a deal worked out whereby the consulate gets a kickback from the agency.
But, c'est la vie.

CanadaMan, you're learning quick! Oui bien sur, cest la vie  

and welcome to RWD