Tourist Visa Cost.... (to travel to Russia) - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

	The Russian Meeting Place: A place to meet people and talk about all things Russian... International Discussions about Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Travel, Music, Russian News, Ukrainian culture, Belarusian Dating, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kiev and other intelligent topics about life in the former Soviet Union.

Pages: 1

Tourist Visa Cost.... (to travel to Russia)
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: Woody

Just a simple question:

I accept that there are administration costs involved in the issue of visas from embassies around the world, however, can anyone explain why the Russian system of obtaining a tourist visa involves a 3rd party i.e. that of a travel company registered with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and so an additional cost of $30? Is there any way of obtaining an invitation without involvement of the 3rd party?

Posted by: Emetsky

I don't know the answer to your question but I paid $150 for mine. That's not including shipping cost via Fedex.

Posted by: ConnerVT

If you have someone that can give you an invite, and you are within walk-in distance of a Russian Embassy, you can get a single entry tourist visa for $100 USD.

If not, $130 is a good price for having someone else do your leg work for you. Prices I've seen have been around $150 USD, with a 2 week turn around time.

Posted by: Woody

Thanks guys. I looks like whatever the route it costs time and money. What I was really after and wanting to get to was some background to the reasoning of the process.
Only a Russian beaurocrat could answer that one.

Clive

Posted by: Khashyar

I have wondered myself why the Russian and Belarusian visas are so expensive.

One reason that I can see is that it is a source of revenue for the respective countries. Perhaps they feel that Westerners are able to pay the steep visa fees.

They also make visas more complicated to receive because you need an invitation from either a citizen of their country, or from a business or tour company. Perhaps those governments also want to give business to Russian/ Belarusian based businesses.

I was amazed that a Chinese visa cost only $30 (as of the summer 2002), while the Belarusian private visa cost four to five times as much.

I have also noticed that the Russian government likes to reciprocate visa regulations whenever the U.S. toughens its visa regulations for Russian citizens. (This happened when the U.S. was asking for an additional background security questionaire of foriegn visa applicants beginning last year-- Russia began asking for the same from U.S. visa applicants).

But, if the Russian visa process were cheaper and less red-tape ladened, then I bet that Russia and Belarus would receive more tourists and subsequently more tourist dollars.

Khashyar

Posted by: Woody

Mmmmm, the tit for tat tribal mentality in action. You can see that there is diplomatic friction, a left over from the cold war.
I have to say I applaud, our Prime Minister's actions to "get on side" with The Russian President, although this could be cynically seen as a ploy for future trade between the nations and more specifically for dealing with this country's future need for gas and oil following depletion of our North Sea reserves by 2010.

Clive

Posted by: Jim_FL

Quote:

Originally posted by Khashyar

I have also noticed that the Russian government likes to reciprocate visa regulations whenever the U.S. toughens its visa regulations for Russian citizens. (This happened when the U.S. was asking for an additional background security questionaire of foriegn visa applicants beginning last year-- Russia began asking for the same from U.S. visa applicants).

This is EXACTLY the reason, US makes policy and Russia follows "in kind". LUCKILY the Russian Federation does not put us "through the wringer" the way we do with their citizens!

Posted by: Laters

Hi I'm planning a trip to Minsk at the end of September. I know someone there and they could probably get me an invitation but I'm no where near a Russian embassy. So with that said, anyone recommend someone/company that can handle this for me?

thanks.

Posted by: ConnerVT

The trend is not to promote any individual business on this site. If you do a Google search on "Russia Visa", the first couple of listings I have heard positive things about...

Posted by: Khashyar

Hi Conner and everyone....

Just to clarify-- It is absolutely o.k. to post links about travel, visas, phone cards, and any other link

I just ask to please not post links to other forums or Russian personals, so as to respect Lena's and my work and efforts in developing those areas of the website. Thank you

But, please feel absolutely free to post any and all other links that you wish

Khashyar

Posted by: Woody

Ah-ha,

thanks Khashyar for making this particular point clear. Up until this point I was of the same mind as Connor.
I think you should reinforce the point in the Forum introductions.

Posted by: dhutche1

Hello,
Since Khashyar says its ok

here is the company that I used for my visa for the Ukraine they also arranged my airline tickets. They where very nice and always returned my e-mails or and messages left for them via phone. I would suggest these folks if you have not already found someone else.

http://www.gotorussia.com/index.php3

Posted by: rtking

When I initially began looking for a service to help with a visa to Russia, I was petrified that my passport would become "lost" or some other fate would befall my poor, well-travelled passport.
Thankfully I stumbled onto Gotorussia.com. They have great service and I have had nothing but excellent results.

Bob K.

Posted by: merlin

Hi Woody

I only just noticed this thread so it's late advice but for the record my visa for going to St.Petersburg last winter cost $66 (£41approx) ($18 for a support letter from a hotel and $48 processing fees). In the UK there are two Russian Consulates one in London and one in Scotland @ 58 Melville Street, Edinburgh EH3 7HF
Tel: 0131 225 7098 Fax: 0131 225 9587. You can download an application form on the internet and send it together with support letter and fee to the consulate. I was advised to use the Scottish one which is evidently much quicker and more helpful. You can do it postally which I did and it took less than a week and there were no problems.

You can avoid the support letter fee by getting an invitation from your Russian friend but it involves them queuing up for a long time on two separate occasions and is evidently a lot of hassle. (this applies to Spb. but is presumably nationwide)

Regards

Terry

Posted by: Woody

Thanks for all the responses guys. The question I put was attempting to go a little deeper than querying the costings for obtaining a visa. Thanks anyway.

Bytheway, in reference to Merlin's comment of the efficiency of the London and Scottish consulates, I have seen the same sort of comment posted on some website somewhere, however, in my experience I have had no problems with London. From submission of application to receipt of visa, it took eight days back at the beginning of 2003.

I haven't seen you around for a while Merlin. It is good to have you back.

Clive

Posted by: ConnerVT

If it's the politics involved, and how we ended up where we currently are with the visa process, I can venture a few guesses.

Back in the Soviet days, obviously the "Tourist" business was all but non-existent. This explains the existence of �In-tourist� hotels, restaurants, and stores. The Soviet government made sure that Westerners only saw what they wanted them to see � a strong and prosperous USSR (so you better not mess with us!). Obviously, if you wanted to visit the USSR, you needed to have an authorized entity grant you an invitation.

After the break-up of the USSR (and the end of the Cold War), the realization that Western dollars could help boost the FSU economy. The visa process opened up, allowing for tourist, business, and home-stay visas to be issued. Still many in government probably weren�t in the mindset of throwing open all of the borders, so they still required that invitations were necessary. Home-stay visas still are a bureaucratic nightmare, but a nice little cottage industry opened up with the tourist visa. A number of places found that they could make $30 from typing up one letter.

The Russian government has changed its rules somewhat, although I haven�t seen any real practical change for the Western traveler. I imagine the original intent was for Russian tour groups to profit from these invitation letters, both from the fee for the invite, as well as the booking of travel tours. Instead, a large number of them go to guys like you and me, who travel to Russia and stay in a rented apartment, or with loved ones. True, we should be obtaining home-stay visas instead of tourist visas, but until the change is actually implemented there, why would we go through the hassle?

Posted by: Woody

Perfect Connor, thanks for that.

As regards the current political situation between Russia and the EC (European Community) I have seen comment that President Putin has been making representations. These involve easier transit within Europe between the two communities. Both Germany and France have accepted that in essence the idea is good, however, before an agreement is to be drafted Russia has to deal with certain problems:
1. the crime rate
2. the border monitoring system. Russia has a very large border to police with Middle - Asian countries and from these countries Europe sees danger. Statistics show that for the most part drugs enter Europe through Russia and in particular from the Chechen Republic.
Nothing is expected to happen until 2008.

Clive

Posted by: merlin

[QUOTE]I haven't seen you around for a while Merlin. It is good to have you back.

Hi Woody

No the reason is I have just returned from a wonderful month in the south of France with Katya which is a mammoth story in itself starting with getting a visa from Russia to France via the UK which was unbelievably difficult,

but I will tell the story in another thread when I have the time. It's good to see the quality of the forum here is still very high. I am still catching up with all the new threads.

Terry

[B]

Posted by: dhutche1

Hi Merlin,
I spent two week with my Tetyana in France too... you are right its not an easy task at all getting the visa for them.

Dave

Posted by: Jutman

I have a complete list from the RU embassy for Danes:

If U have time to wait 2 weeks.

Tourist visa cost: 44 USD (valid 1 month)
Business single entry: 44 USD
Business double entry: 71 USD
Multiple entry visa: 175 USD (valid 1 year)

Exchange rate by Oanda.com the 17th august.