Going to Mexico with my lady

[Taz]

As for Russians getting a visa to Mexico, I've been researching this as well. I was told there is about a 2 month wait at the moment to get one assuming everything is in order. I definitely wouldn't wait until the last minute to do this.

[Sculpto]

she will be in Moscow in two weeks and the FIRST thing she will do is go to the embassy.. that is a ten week lead.  Who told you it is a two monthk lead?

[Taz]

Russian consulate did. I just checked this week. They said it would take about 2 months. I also checked with 2 travel agencies today in the FSU and they told me the same thing. I decided to pass as I don't have enough time to make it work if she doesn't get the visa. I wouldn't want to buy the tickets ahead of time in case she didn't get the visa, then I am stuck with them.

Of course I know I could pay a hefty change fee if I buy certain tickets of pay even more for changeable ones. I'd prefer to buy them after I know there are no issues. Maybe I'll look into it next year.

[Sculpto]

Russian consulate did. I just checked this week. They said it would take about 2 months. I also checked with 2 travel agencies today in the FSU and they told me the same thing. I decided to pass as I don't have enough time to make it work if she doesn't get the visa. I wouldn't want to buy the tickets ahead of time in case she didn't get the visa, then I am stuck with them.

Of course I know I could pay a hefty change fee if I buy certain tickets of pay even more for changeable ones. I'd prefer to buy them after I know there are no issues. Maybe I'll look into it next year.

What does the Russian consulate have to do with it?  Its a Mexico issue.

[Sculpto]

http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php?page/MEN_TRMITES_MIGRATORIOS

rules change all the time.. Russia is not even on the list of countries required to have a visa.

[Sculpto]

blah got that wrong.. "federacion rusia" not "rusia federacion"

[Sculpto]

I just wrote an email to the Mexican Embassy Moscow worker in charge of tourist visas requesting clarification of the process.  The information is conflicting.. on one hand it looks like she can simply arrive at the airport and get the visa right there.. on the other hand it seems to be required in advance.  Really confusing!  Either way.. should get that worked out in a few days.  There is a phone number for the Moscow Embassy also so I will call on Monday if I have not heard anything back.  Will update.

[Sculpto]

just found this also.. Mexico does have an embassy site in Russia which includes an online visa processing.  Will do this tomorrow with "A".

http://portal.sre.gob.mx/rusia/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=94&op=page&SubMenu=

[Sculpto]

and this.. dang it Taz.. you scared me for nothing!

Jun 23, 2009, 15:23
A new system for the processing of visas to Mexico in Moscow. Now tourists can fill electronic form at the Embassy of Mexico in Russia and in two working days to appear for a visa. According to the GSS. correspondent. Travel.ru, innovation was presented today at a press conference arranged by tour operator "Caribbean Club".

A year ago, a visa in Mexico is more than a month. In recent times, this period fell to 10 days. The introduction of electronic forms has reduced the waiting time of visa for up to two days.

To obtain a visa on the fast track scheme, you need to register and fill out the visa form on a special page on the site of the embassy. We recommend that you use the browser with Internet Explorer. All the questions asked in Russian, but you need to fill out the form in Latin letters.

In an hour or two at the email address of a tourist coming code number. Under this code, the applicant can obtain a visa at the embassy within two working days. Besides a passport, valid for at least six months from the date of the alleged entry into Mexico, with a need to bring all the required list of documents: travel vouchers, or booking hotels, tickets for round trip, information on financial status, two 3x4 color photos. Cost of visa - $ 36, pay in rubles at the rate prevailing at the date of payment.

Travel agency accredited to the embassy, visas allowed, does not require the personal attendance of visitors. The required fingerprint index finger tourists can be sent by mail. Individual tourists left a fingerprint when coming for a visa.

Address Consular Section of the Embassy of Mexico in Moscow: Big Levshinsky trans., 4. Filing of documents, as well as pay the visa fee is made from Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 11.30. Issuance of passports with the visas are ready by 12.30 to 13.30.

Note that the vast majority of visas are now issued in Mexico for 5 or 10 years. Denial of visa is extremely rare. According to the tourism authorities of Mexico, such volgotnye conditions for Russian tourists are not affiliated with any epidemic porcine influenza struck the country last spring, nor with the global financial crisis. Ambassador of Mexico to Russia, Alfredo Perez-Bravo said at a press conference: "The policy of migration is that the visa should not be a problem and an impediment to travel to Mexico."

Last year, Russian tourists have been issued more than 10 thousand visas to Mexico. On the border of Mexico has been recorded 12.5 thousand entries of Russian citizens. Currently, the growth of applications in the consulate, as compared to the first half of 2008 was 20%, and in high season - the fall and winter - are expected to increase the number wishing to visit Mexico on 35-40%.

[Taz]

It was a typo, I meant to say Mexican consulate. I had a margarita last night and then posted. 

It looks like it might be better to have an accredited travel agency do it if she doesn't live in Moscow.

People in Ukraine might also want to see if this applies to Ukrainians as well, meaning if the speeded up the process in Ukraine as well.

Based on the swine flu epidemic there, they are probably hurting for tourists... Sure won't hurt to speed up the process then. 

[Link]

Wow I just returned to the forums after sometime of no writing here after my experience in Russia last December and I found your trip report my dear friend Sculpto. I am going to read it very carefully and later I will give you my impressions, so far it seems very interesting.    If you need any type of assistance or support feel free to ask me.

[Taz]

I just want to post something as a general warning about consulates and travel agencies in general. You may get a different answer each time you call. I have called several consulates on the same topic but located in different areas but for the same jurisdictions or purvue and got different answers.

Sometimes the info I was given by the consulate/embassy was contradicated at the port of entry with regards to laws. Just keep this in mind as a general point. Hopefully you will get accurate info from them but not always. I work with governmental agencies and often they aren't even aware of the laws to the extent they should. Quite often I have had to suggest they issue clarifications as nobody can understand what they really meant to say.

Sculpto - I hope it goes smoothly for you and that you both have a great trip!

[Sculpto]

Wow I just returned to the forums after sometime of no writing here after my experience in Russia last December and I found your trip report my dear friend Sculpto. I am going to read it very carefully and later I will give you my impressions, so far it seems very interesting.    If you need any type of assistance or support feel free to ask me.

Hi Link.. I was wondering what happened to you.  I am going to try and use the online visa early next week and also call the Embassy in Moscow.  I do not see this as being a problem at all.  As I remember you live in Monterrey?  Did you see Cafe Tacuba when they were there last month?

[Sculpto]

btw.. here is another reason I love Mexico.. this is definitely on a future trip if it is opened to the public.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/04/photogalleries/giant-crystals-cave/

[Link]

I will have a great trip no matter what.  If things don't work out it would suck, but, this time we will be on my turf.. she wont understand a word of the language.. all the customs will be strange to her.. she won't know how to navigate.. so yes.. it will be very revealing.. I am pretty sure some of her over confidence will disappear right about the time she walks out of the passport area and into the waiting throng at Juarez International.. makes Borispol or Sheremetevo look like kids play..  We are going to the BIGGEST city in the world. 25,000,000 at last count.  I was chatting with her on the cam when I was telling her about my beloved DF (distrito federal de mexico) and mentioned it is twice as many people as Moscow.. her eyes got REAL BIG.. like an owl.. it was funny.  

But i plan on showing her a great time.  We will go to some of the most beautiful places in the world.

Here is just one of the waterfalls we will visit and as awesome as it is.. there are others even better.. places were no one ever goes.. naked in the jungle.. "blue lagoon"



Yes.. the water is always that color.. and pure as pure gets.. the bedrock is limestone.. no bacteria.. no pesticides upstream.. just virgin jungle from the place where it comes out of the rock.

It sounds you are going to have a very interesting and fun trip, I hope you enjoy your time over there.  It seems you know more of Mexico than me for example I never heard of the animals:  Tepesquintle and Oguti, it sounds like pre Hispanic names for me.  Actually I think the list in Wikipedia does not take into account the Metropolitan area of Mexico City (outside the Federal District) which adds another 5 000 000 population to the 20 000 000 showed there so that make a total of 25 000 000 like you original said Sculpto .

I never understand why  (besides the  visa requirements for Russian citizens) there are no direct flights between Mexico City and Moscow but in the other hand there are direct flights between La Habana  and Moscow given the amount of differences in population and socioeconomic importance of both cities, (for example La Habana has around  2 201 610  and Mexico City around 25 000 000 while Moscow has around 15 000 000 )it does not make sense to me.  Last December when I went to Russia I took Iberia and had the connection flight in Madrid also like you lady is going to do. I can enter into the US legally whenever I want but when traveling to Canada or Europe I prefer to avoid connection flights in US soil as much as possible instead I take direct flights.

As you are going to be in Southern Mexico if you can take some time to visit Acapulco (another major port city) and Taxco (a colonial mineral city ) in Guerrero state which borders Oaxaca state (in which Puerto Escondido is located). I didn’t know Café Tacuba was in Monterrey, looks like I am a little bit clueless, by the way I remember you wanted to open a Russian style Café in Chiapas how is that project going?

[Link]

blah got that wrong.. "federacion rusia" not "rusia federacion"

I think you meant "Federación Rusa"

[Link]

actually what I do on the first day is get a drink called tepache.  Tepache is fermented pineapple usually.. kind of like a pineapple beer, but is also sometimes made with other fruit.  It tastes really good but has the effect of flushing the system.  For two days stay near a facility and afterwards I can eat anything i want.  However.. I may avoid this method on this trip.. I think it is an extreme measure for "A".  So, we will just eat in places I already know to be safe and wash any fruit we might buy.  Bottled water is everywhere so thats a non issue.

I've heard of this drink "Tepache" is famous in Southern Mexico, i believe is a pre Hispanic beverage but I never have tried myself. Mezcal in the other hand it could be the twin sister of Tequila.

[Link]

As for Russians getting a visa to Mexico, I've been researching this as well. I was told there is about a 2 month wait at the moment to get one assuming everything is in order. I definitely wouldn't wait until the last minute to do this.

This is not true, currently it only takes a couple of working days for a Russian citizen to get a Mexican visa plus right now Mexican Immigration is giving special preference to citizens of other emerging economies such as Russia and Brazil. By the way we started to ask visas to Brazil at US request back in 2005, the US will provide the technology to issue high security visas for Brazilians in exchange we will take the diplomatic cost. Brazil in response now ask for visas to Mexican citizens. Our incompetent politicans as always they did it again.

México, D.F;  domingo 28 de junio de 2009.

Boletín Informativo 073/2009.
Simplifica Gobierno Federal Expedición de Visas para Impulsar el Turismo  y Viajes de Negocios

 

 El Gobierno Federal estableció una mesa de trabajo interinstitucional a fin de identificar acciones de simplificación y facilitación para el otorgamiento de visas, en particular de quienes provienen de economías emergentes, como Brasil, Rusia, India y China.

 

 Con las medidas acordadas se reducirá significativamente el tiempo de trámite de visas y se establecen programas para la realización de trámites ágiles y por vía electrónica, con lo cual se fortalece la competitividad de México como destino turístico.

 

Con el propósito de incrementar el número de turistas y viajes de negocios a México, el Gobierno Federal estableció una mesa de trabajo interinstitucional a fin de identificar acciones de simplificación y facilitación para el otorgamiento de visas, en particular de quienes provienen de economías emergentes, como Brasil, Rusia, India y China, que han registrado especial éxito y crecimiento en años recientes.  

El grupo de trabajo, que fue encabezado por el Secretario de Gobernación, Fernando Gómez Mont, con la participación de las Secretarías de Turismo (SECTUR), Relaciones Exteriores (SRE), y Economía (SE)-ProMéxico, logró diversas acciones de simplificación para facilitar y agilizar el otorgamiento de visas, como la reducción en el tiempo de entrega, con lo que la competitividad internacional del país se fortalece frente a otros destinos turísticos y mercados de inversión.

Entre las medidas de aplicación general se ha acordado que estará disponible en el Portal de Internet de cada una de las dependencias involucradas, la lista de países cuyos nacionales pueden visitar México sin requerir visa; así como la de aquellos países cuyos nacionales deben solicitarla, para consulta por parte de todos los prestadores de servicios turísticos, inversionistas, y público en general.

Asimismo, la Visa Consular de Larga Duración por Diez Años con entradas múltiples, destinada a los turistas y personas de negocios que viajan con frecuencia y requieran de un mecanismo ágil y moderno para desarrollar sus actividades en México, evitará hacer el trámite cada vez que vuelvan al país.

 

Por otro lado, a las personas que requieren de visa mexicana y que son residentes permanentes en Estados Unidos, Canadá, Japón, y Europa (Reino Unido y espacio Schengen), sin importar su nacionalidad, se les exime del requisito de visa y pueden viajar a México con el documento que acredite su legal estancia en esos países. Los residentes temporales y turistas, sin importar su nacionalidad, podrán solicitarla y obtenerla, por 10 años en los consulados mexicanos, al acreditar su legal estancia en dichos países. Estas visas se entregarán en un máximo de 48 horas.

En beneficio de las personas de negocios de los países miembros del  Foro Económico de Asia-Pacífico (APEC) que viajen a México, se les ofrece la posibilidad de tramitar la “visa especial ABTC” (APEC Business Travel Card); además, los viajeros obtienen acceso preferencial en los aeropuertos para el trámite migratorio.

 Medidas específicas para las 4 economías de mayor crecimiento

El grupo de trabajo puso especial atención a la simplificación en cuatro de las economías más grandes del mundo que han registrado el mayor crecimiento en el turismo de sus nacionales a otros países: Brasil, Rusia, India y China.

Estas medidas adicionales reducirán significativamente los tiempos para el trámite de visa, pues cuentan con distintos puntos para solicitarlas dentro de sus vastos territorios, además de los consulados de México.

·         Rusia.- Se darán todas las facilidades para tramitar la visa mexicana sin acudir personalmente al Consulado a través de dos opciones, lo que representa una gran ventaja en un país con tan amplio territorio: a) las agencias de viajes acreditadas que operan en muchos puntos de su geografía; y, b) en fecha próxima, los turistas y las personas de negocios también tendrán la opción de presentar su solicitud a través de empresas que revisen el cumplimiento de los requisitos que solicita el Consulado de México para otorgar la visa.

Además, iniciará en junio de 2009 un programa piloto para realizar la solicitud de visa por vía electrónica, con lo que el viajero tiene la certeza de que al acudir al Consulado de México, recibirá la visa correspondiente.  Esta modalidad se aplicará en Brasil en una segunda fase.

Continues in :  http://www.sectur.gob.mx/wb/sectur/sect_Boletin_078_Simplifica_Gobierno_Federal_Exped
·        

[Sculpto]

It sounds you are going to have a very interesting and fun trip, I hope you enjoy your time over there.  It seems you know more of Mexico than me for example I never heard of the animals:  Tepesquintle and Oguti, it sounds like pre Hispanic names for me.  Actually I think the list in Wikipedia does not take into account the Metropolitan area of Mexico City (outside the Federal District) which adds another 5 000 000 population to the 20 000 000 showed there so that make a total of 25 000 000 like you original said Sculpto .

I think once a city gets that big.. the actual number doesn't matter.  But that is the beauty of DF to me, there is so much to do, so much diversity it is just not possible to ever know the place.  I love the chaos and the food.  We will be spending a lot of time in Colonia La Condesa in the evenings..

Tepesquintle and Oguti are animals that live in the jungles in the south.  I have never actually eaten them, but, I have seen lots of them.

I never understand why  (besides the  visa requirements for Russian citizens) there are no direct flights between Mexico City and Moscow but in the other hand there are direct flights between La Habana  and Moscow given the amount of differences in population and socioeconomic importance of both cities, (for example La Habana has around  2 201 610  and Mexico City around 25 000 000 while Moscow has around 15 000 000 )it does not make sense to me.  Last December when I went to Russia I took Iberia and had the connection flight in Madrid also like you lady is going to do. I can enter into the US legally whenever I want but when traveling to Canada or Europe I prefer to avoid connection flights in US soil as much as possible instead I take direct flights.

The Cuba Russia connection goes back to the cold war.  I don't really know why Mexico is not more well known in Russia.  If the government is really going to make some effort to develop those tourism markets that might change very fast, especially if they ease the visa restrictions.  How was the transfer in Madrid?  Any advice I can pass on to my girl?

As you are going to be in Southern Mexico if you can take some time to visit Acapulco (another major port city) and Taxco (a colonial mineral city ) in Guerrero state which borders Oaxaca state (in which Puerto Escondido is located). I didn’t know Café Tacuba was in Monterrey, looks like I am a little bit clueless, by the way I remember you wanted to open a Russian style Café in Chiapas how is that project going?

I have been to Taxco before.  We might detour there for a few hours on the road trip to the beach.  Acapulco doesn't have much draw for me.. too big and touristy. 

Cafe Tacuba is doing their 20th anniversary tour.. I went down to TJ to see them at the bullring.  Unique concert venue.. it was excellent.  There are a lot of videos on youtube of that show and in Monterrey.

The Russian Cafe idea is still on the table.  That is part of the reason we are making the trip because I would like her to see SCLC and get a feel for the vibe there.  I love the fact that even though SCLC is pretty wired now there still aren't tons of blogs or much other information coming out of there.  It seems people are really trying to keep the charm intact even though there is so much more tourism there now than when I lived there.  I am also excited and happy to see all the new eco-tourism developments that have been built since I was last there.  I think they have paved a lot of roads that used to be gravel or mud to make access to the more isolated and beautiful places possible.  Having our own car is going to make a HUGE difference instead of being stuck riding the busses.  I happen to love bus travel in Mexico and have had some amazing experiences, but, I would prefer to have the freedom the car affords to come and go as we wish and to visit places that are not served well by transport. 

it is going to be an awesome trip.  I am obsessed at this stage of planning and she is getting really excite too.. a bit nervous also.. it will be her first time out of the FSU.. haha I am kind of evil.. taking her into Teritorio Zapatista. 

[Sculpto]

I've heard of this drink "Tepache" is famous in Southern Mexico, i believe is a pre Hispanic beverage but I never have tried myself. Mezcal in the other hand it could be the twin sister of Tequila.

Tepache is pre-hispanic and can be made from many different kinds of fruits.  In some places they sell it on the side of the road.  Lots of my friends in SCLC make it at home.  We will probably do a Tequila or Mezcal tasting in DF.  I found a couple of places.  I did it once in Oaxaca which was hilarious.  I don't think foreigners often venture into such places and they tried real hard to get me drunk on their excellent Mezcal giving me shot after shot of the different types.  I ended up buying one small bottle but had a good laugh.. then had to go immediately to get food to break the buzz.  In Chiapas they make somethign they call "Posh" which is essentially sugar cane rum.  its strong and good and really cheap.  true moonshine.  IN SCLC people will use it to make liquer by adding different fruits and herbs.  Some of them are really excellent.  They also sell homemade rompope in the market.. rompope is basically what we call eggnog in the states.  But the stuff they sell in the market is absolutely delicioso.. and it will knock you on your butt if you drink too much. 

Do you have Pulque in Monterrey?  I have tried it several times but still haven't gotten the taste for it.  Some of my friends swear by it for health reasons. 

Better not get me started talking about tamales.  HAHAHA!

There are a bunch of Pre-Hispanic restaurants near the La Merced market we will try.. and of course.. we will eat at Cafe De Tacuba!  Nothing like eating at a place with so much history that is so interwoven into the urban lore of a city.  Plus the food is really good.  God, I am making myself really hungry thinking about it.  The Calle Uruguay where our hotel is is loaded with awesome places to eat also.. there are places where they sell tacos de olla that people will line up a hundred deep for them.  I remember asking someone in line why.. thinking maybe they were really cheap or something.. they said.. "No, porque son muy ricos"  Thats crazy.. in a city packed full of awesome places to eat people will stand on line for a taco because its so good.  I didn't have the patience.. who knows.. maybe this time I will.  And then of course.. the original chocolate.. a mere two blocks from the hotel.. chocolate and churros.. six kinds of drinking chocolate and I don't even remember how many kinds of churros.. that place is busy 24/7.. but if you want to taste the chocolate that Moctezuma offered to Hernan Cortez.. its the place.

Thankfully we will be walking a lot.. I always lose weight in Mexico even though I eat a lot more than I do in the states. 

[Link]

The Cuba Russia connection goes back to the cold war.  I don't really know why Mexico is not more well known in Russia.  If the government is really going to make some effort to develop those tourism markets that might change very fast, especially if they ease the visa restrictions.  How was the transfer in Madrid?  Any advice I can pass on to my girl?

Actually there a couple of little but important details at the Barajas airport in Madrid:

The Barajas airport it is huge but there is no need to worry because all the ways are clearly indicated with signs (no need to know Spanish for that, arrows, numbers and letters are universal for that matter).  Flights in Barajas airport are not announced through voice speakers unlike in other airports instead there are some electronic boards through the Gates which indicates the number of the Flights, the Airlines, the Destination City (Moscow or Mexico City for example) and the  exact hour of boarding   and take off of the plane.

It is very  important that your lady check the electronic boards constantly to identify her flight number, Airline (Iberia in this case) boarding Gate number and the exact boarding time (which differs a little from the take off time) of her flight. I recommend that she must arrive to the boarding Gate at least 1 hour before the boarding time of her flight because in Barajas airport they do not announce flights through voice speakers so it is easy someone can lost a flight because of that, also if she checks the electronic boards constantly she can identify if they last minute changed the boarding time and Gates.

Spanish people tend to be very disorganized so it is important that she checks the electronic boards constantly, a last minute change in the flights can happen (it happened to me when going to Moscow and back to Mexico City).

[Sculpto]

A little update..

"A" is on the trans-siberian railway right now heading back to Moscow to apply for her visa.  We should know by the end of next week if there will be a snag or everything will be smooth.

For the record.. this is the paperwork we prepared to meet the rules...

International passport,
Propiska to prove she has a home
Certified letter from her Uni declaring she is enrolled and in good standing.
A couple copies of articles she has had published and letter from the publisher stating she is freelance.
A copy of her bank statement.  (I added some funds to make it look like she is far above the amount required)
A valid credit card with at least $500 in available credit.  Can be an atm card also.
A certified copy of her e-ticket from Iberia Airlines.
Copies of the hotel reservations in all the places we will stay.
And a letter from me written in Spanish explaining our relationship, that I will pay for the trip and personally guarantee her leaving Mexico.

I am a little nervous, but, probably for nothing.  As soon as she arrives in Moscow we will do the online application since it must be written in Spanish.  then, they will contact her within 2 days so she can go in to the embassy and present her paperwork.  She will have the answer the same day in just a couple of hours.  Fingers crossed!!!

As far as the trip itself... I have been contacting some independent journalists and have set up meetings.  They are so wrapped up in the human rights and social issues in their own country as to be completely unaware of what is going on in Russia.  Oddly, it is the same for "A" and her associates.. they know little or nothing about Mexico except the flu.  So, everyone is excited about the exchange. 

She is getting really excited about the trip though.  She has started asking me for more details which is cool.  But, she still doesn't want too much.  Its actually funny.

[janic]

A valid credit card with at least $500 in available credit.  Can be an atm card also.

How do you prove that?

[BillyB]

As far as the trip itself... I have been contacting some independent journalists and have set up meetings.  They are so wrapped up in the human rights and social issues in their own country as to be completely unaware of what is going on in Russia.  Oddly, it is the same for "A" and her associates.. they know little or nothing about Mexico except the flu.  So, everyone is excited about the exchange. 

You two should meet in North Korea. They've lost two of their finest international journalists recently and I'm sure they'll welcome you both with open arms. Good luck on getting the visa for "A". Your trip will not only be interesting but unique. I don't think I've ever read a trip report where a  guy takes his RW anywhere in Latin America besides Cuba.

[Sculpto]

all the ducks are in a row so assuming Mexico is serious about promoting tourism as they say they are it should be no problem.  I suspect given the recent fighting with Canada over visas there is probably going to be an even more strong push for places like Russia.  They are even opening the process up now for the Chinese and Indians.  I suspect if it becomes a visa free option there may be a lot of guys meeting their ladies in Cancun in the future. 

Frankly, if things keep going the way they are in the states.. Mexico becomes an ever more desirable choice.  Wages for professions are inching closer and closer to what they are here.. yet.. the cost of living is still way less than half.  Doctors are setting up shop because the court system doesn't allow the ridiculous punitive malpractice suits.  Anyone manufacturing things is better off there than in the US.  Real estate is still cheap.  The government builds huge numbers of low cost houses for first time home buyers in an attempt to eliminate the stigma and reality of shanty towns.  For the first time since I have been going there it seems the Government is actually getting ahead of the shanty town builders.  Infrasructure investment is huge!  It will still take another generation or more to erase all the bad stuff and poverty that still exists.. but.. its not the same Mexico it was 20+ years ago when I first went, not even close.