Visas -TO- Russia

[dwfunk]

Visas TO Russian

The Russian Consulate has the following statement on it's website under all visa classifications:

" Any visa applicant may be interviewed by a consular officer if deemed necessary."

Has anyone ever been "interviewed" for their visa? Is any particular class of visa more susceptible to being interviewed?

I know all US issued visas seem to have an interview in their country, not sure about the UK or the down-under territories.


Inquiring minds would like to know . . . .




------
David & Natalia
Republic of Texas / Moscow, Russia
УЛ. КОНЕНКОВА
16th World Spacemodeling Championships

[BC]

Had a couple of tourist and one business visa to RU.. never an interview.

[Daveman]

The way it was explained to me is that the 'interview' is primarily reserved for those of questionable reputation, i.e., a criminal record, had a previous deportation from Russia, stayed beyond the validity of visa, failure to register a past visa in Russia, etc.

It is written somewhere (website, visa documentation, I can't remember now) that anyone with a criminal record must appear for an interview prior to receiving a visa.

Dave

[chivo]

The way it was explained to me is that the 'interview' is primarily reserved for those of questionable reputation, i.e., a criminal record, had a previous deportation from Russia, stayed beyond the validity of visa, failure to register a past visa in Russia, etc.

It is written somewhere (website, visa documentation, I can't remember now) that anyone with a criminal record must appear for an interview prior to receiving a visa.

Dave

This is correct. They'll want to interview you if you answer yes to any of the questions on the bottom back page of the application. It also states this on the application just FYI. The type of visa has no bearing on whether you get interviewed or not.

It's my understanding that if you have to go to an interview for these reasons, most likely you will not get the visa (ever tried arguing with a Russian at an Embassy  ).

Stranger things have happened, but it's doubtful you'll touch Russian soil.

Other than a criminal past (meaning only a felony conviction), you'd be better served by just answering no regardless of your situation and/or conscious. good luck.

chivo

[MaxxumUSA]

This is correct. They'll want to interview you if you answer yes to any of the questions on the bottom back page of the application. It also states this on the application just FYI. The type of visa has no bearing on whether you get interviewed or not.

It's my understanding that if you have to go to an interview for these reasons, most likely you will not get the visa (ever tried arguing with a Russian at an Embassy  ).

Stranger things have happened, but it's doubtful you'll touch Russian soil.

Other than a criminal past (meaning only a felony conviction), you'd be better served by just answering no regardless of your situation and/or conscious. good luck.

chivo

I assumed felonies on the questionaire and my travel agency said the same to me.  So I answered honestly and said no.  I did notice on the application that there would be a required interview if any of those questions were answered yes.  You can visit www.ruscon.org and click english version to learn more.

I would strongly suggest using one of the agencies listed on the Russian Embassy website.  There is a list of USA based agencies that works with the embassy regularly.  This is what I did and I received two visas this year without problems.

[Phil dAmore]

I've had every type of visa Russia offers except a diplomatic one and have never had to be interviewed. 

I always check 'no' to everything and they have yet to call me on it. 

In Helsinki they don't keep past application forms on record... if they did they would have noticed by now that on each and every application I put slightly different information...

IMO what they don't know won't hurt them... don't volunteer anything.

[chivo]

I always check 'no' to everything and they have yet to call me on it. 

In Helsinki they don't keep past application forms on record... if they did they would have noticed by now that on each and every application I put slightly different information...

IMO what they don't know won't hurt them... don't volunteer anything.

Pretty good rule of thumb.

Remember, Russia doesn't have a nationwide computer data system hookup like America, for instance. IOW, if you have problems in one office, just go to another, because they'll have no idea about what happened elsewhere.

Russians are also not sticklers about details when it comes to these types of transactions, and it's "highly" unlikely any information leaves the local offices. Good luck.

chivo

p.s. all, remember this is Russia. Don't be so gung-ho about following every detail of the law here (just make sure your visa papers are in order).

It doesn't mean you should act anyway you want, it means that here there are ways of taking care of situations that aren't always within the laws or legal.

Respect the culture, respect the country, and handle yourself in a way that would make your mother proud. BUT, do what you have to do to get what you have to get done...it's the Russian way, and when in Rome...do what the Romans do.

Bottom line, and maybe it will change in the future, but as of now money and who you know decides most things in Russia, not laws. ciao

chivo

[Phil dAmore]

Bottom line, and maybe it will change in the future, but as of now money and who you know decides most things in Russia, not laws.

...I only hope I can live long enough to see that day.... :seething: