Visa to visit Russia?

[hhbandlabradordog]

Hi,
I'm new to the board.

My thoughts were to first visit Russia purely as a tourist to look around (and possibly improve my raw beginner's Russian language) before striking up any correspondence in depth with strangers.

I looked around for a half hour, but and found plenty of information on visas for Russian tourist to visit USA but not to visit Russia.
My only possible complication is that I am a dual citizen (US and UK) and could conceivably apply (or indeed travel) as either.

Is there as section of the forum somewhere that points to sources of such information?

[Anotherkiwi]

Hi,
I'm new to the board.

My thoughts were to first visit Russia purely as a tourist to look around (and possibly improve my raw beginner's Russian language) before striking up any correspondence in depth with strangers.

I looked around for a half hour, but and found plenty of information on visas for Russian tourist to visit USA but not to visit Russia.
My only possible complication is that I am a dual citizen (US and UK) and could conceivably apply (or indeed travel) as either.

Is there as section of the forum somewhere that points to sources of such information?

First,  crossbreed!  There are dozens of websites which offer visitor's visas to Russia, but I understand that the current policy in the US is that all visas must be processed in person or via one specialist agency (all costing extra  ).  It will depend on where you live as to what the easiest way is to get your visa.

Good luck!

[Shadow]

Welcome. To obtain a tourist visa to Russia is pretty simple.
First of all book a flight and hotel. Do not forget to get travel insurance with world coverage (you need a declaration from your health insurance if you do not have one). Then apply to a visa service.
The Russian embassies have changed to an electronic appointment system that takes 3 months to get an appointment, the visa service takes one week. Well worth the money.

[hhbandlabradordog]

Thank you both, I appreciate it.
As I said I'm very new to the forum. My interest was first in Russian language, that has soon grown into a desire to visit and meet Russian people.

Since posting I have discovered that the European motoring organisations/organizations (substantially equivalent to AAA American Automobile Association) are a goldmine of information. Although obviously their focus is primarily on motorists nonetheless much of the information applies to everyone.

[mendeleyev]

Do you live in the US or UK?

If in the US, I recommend these links:

www.ils-usa.com

http://www.russianembassy.org/page/general-visa-information

http://www.east-west-tours.com/visas

I just spoke to a consular officer not long ago about a visa for my brother and was informed that the 3-year visa multiple entry visa costs the same as the single or double entry visas, so it would seem to make sense to go for that one with all things being equal. It is categorized as a tourist visa.

If applying from a Schengen country you'll need to make sure that your health card is valid for the entire time of your Russian stay.

[KenInUtah]

Shadow, what do you mean here about a declaration?  If I don't have one "what"?

Do not forget to get travel insurance with world coverage (you need a declaration from your health insurance if you do not have one).

[Shadow]

Shadow, what do you mean here about a declaration?  If I don't have one "what"?

Do not forget to get travel insurance with world coverage (you need a declaration from your health insurance if you do not have one).

Hi Ken, this might not apply for the USA. In the Netherlands when you have the obliged health insurance policy it may have world coverage that is up to the level required for Russian visa. If so you can ask your health insurance for an offcial letter that they will cover the worldwide cost in case of ilness or death. It will save you getting extra travel insurance.

As our health insurance system is Obamacare on seroids it is very different from the US system. However if you have a health insurance it might save you checking out if you are insured worldwide.

[KenInUtah]

Thanks.  Good to know.  Worth checking out