This is the most stressful trip-planning ever.
Feb 3rd, 2015, 10:32 AM
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This is the most stressful trip-planning ever.
One problem was caused by my hotel reservation in St. Petersburg, which I accidentally made non-refundable. This fouled up the visa-free ferry I'd planned on taking from Helsinki to St. Petersburg because I wrongly assumed I could take the ferry on a Friday, so that I could spend 3 days in St.Petersburg without getting a visa from a consulate.
I decided I'd get the Russian visa from the Seattle consulate. I filled out the on-line application, which was not easy because every time I'd leave the website to check on an address or date, I'd have to start either completely or partially over. I finally got the thing filled out and printed, only to discover that I'd need to put in more information. I don't want to have the application rejected because it's incomplete.
For example, I did enter Russia with a guided tour in the 1960's, but I didn't recall the dates. I finally looked at the pictures I'd taken. A couple of them had the date of April 1967 printed on the back. I know the trip was during Easter vacation, and I looked up the date of Easter 1967 and counted backwards to ascertain the date when we must have arrived.
They also want to know which countries I've visited in the last 10 years. That means I have to find every flight confirmation (stored in my travel email folder) and figure out which country I was visiting on each flight. That's either 9 or 10 flights. There was one trip in which we hit the highlights of various countries--Germany, Austria, Denmark, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. I'm going to try to get by without listing all those countries in addition to England, France, Italy, Germany Spain, and Ireland, which we visited on separate trips.
I've been trying to phone the consulate in Seattle to ask some questions and make an appointment to see them. However, they don't seem to be answering the telephone. (Insert snide comment here about possible reasons why the USSR dissolved.)
I am assuming that eventually I'll be able to reach someone and take a plane to Seattle to get the visa. In the meantime I'm trying to figure out how I get from city/country to country in the Baltics.
Having read Gertie's trip report on the Baltics, I know that I can take the very comfortable and convenient Lux Express from Tallinin, Estonia, to Riga, Latvia, and Vilnius, Lithuania, thereby seeing some of the countryside as well as arriving in the cities. Of course, I'm nervous about making any reservations for busses or hotels until I know how the Russian visa situation will be resolved.
So that's my whining for today.
I decided I'd get the Russian visa from the Seattle consulate. I filled out the on-line application, which was not easy because every time I'd leave the website to check on an address or date, I'd have to start either completely or partially over. I finally got the thing filled out and printed, only to discover that I'd need to put in more information. I don't want to have the application rejected because it's incomplete.
For example, I did enter Russia with a guided tour in the 1960's, but I didn't recall the dates. I finally looked at the pictures I'd taken. A couple of them had the date of April 1967 printed on the back. I know the trip was during Easter vacation, and I looked up the date of Easter 1967 and counted backwards to ascertain the date when we must have arrived.
They also want to know which countries I've visited in the last 10 years. That means I have to find every flight confirmation (stored in my travel email folder) and figure out which country I was visiting on each flight. That's either 9 or 10 flights. There was one trip in which we hit the highlights of various countries--Germany, Austria, Denmark, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. I'm going to try to get by without listing all those countries in addition to England, France, Italy, Germany Spain, and Ireland, which we visited on separate trips.
I've been trying to phone the consulate in Seattle to ask some questions and make an appointment to see them. However, they don't seem to be answering the telephone. (Insert snide comment here about possible reasons why the USSR dissolved.)
I am assuming that eventually I'll be able to reach someone and take a plane to Seattle to get the visa. In the meantime I'm trying to figure out how I get from city/country to country in the Baltics.
Having read Gertie's trip report on the Baltics, I know that I can take the very comfortable and convenient Lux Express from Tallinin, Estonia, to Riga, Latvia, and Vilnius, Lithuania, thereby seeing some of the countryside as well as arriving in the cities. Of course, I'm nervous about making any reservations for busses or hotels until I know how the Russian visa situation will be resolved.
So that's my whining for today.
Feb 3rd, 2015, 11:12 AM
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>>I've been trying to phone the consulate in Seattle to ask some questions and make an appointment to see them. However, they don't seem to be answering the telephone. (Insert snide comment here about possible reasons why the USSR dissolved.<<
Have you ever tried reaching American consulates while in other countries? You might start worrying for the fate of the YOOASSAY! too after about 40 rings.
Have you ever tried reaching American consulates while in other countries? You might start worrying for the fate of the YOOASSAY! too after about 40 rings.
Feb 3rd, 2015, 06:46 PM
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We went to Russia about 4 years ago and started our visa process in July for a Sept visit. Apparently I applied to the new online system the first day and "bugs" lasted for a few days so seriously wanted to cancel the visa process was so frustrating.
At that time they even wanted some employment and my parents info and I'm 67! So really bizarre.
Visa agency was the best money spent as they reviewed it before processing to Russia, so it wouldn't get kicked back by the Russians. Spend the money--it will be well spent and probably cheaper than airfare to Seattle.
At that time they even wanted some employment and my parents info and I'm 67! So really bizarre.
Visa agency was the best money spent as they reviewed it before processing to Russia, so it wouldn't get kicked back by the Russians. Spend the money--it will be well spent and probably cheaper than airfare to Seattle.
Feb 3rd, 2015, 07:33 PM
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A friend of mine uses a travel agency to book his trips to St. Petersburg-- he goes as often as he can to see his favorite ballet company in the world--and he never has any trouble. I assume he pays them to handle the visa. I think this may be one country for which DIY planning might be a bridge to far. Anyway, I;m envious of you and my friend--happy travels, and good luck planning.
Feb 3rd, 2015, 08:44 PM
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I agree-- use a service. When you get frustrated about lists of countries you've visited, etc, you can call them up and they'll reassure you.
We were told to extend our visas a few days after we planned to leave, just in case (of canceled flights or, in the case of a friend, a taxi accident on the way to the Moscow airport in which she suffered a concussion and a broken collar bone but was afraid to have it treated because she'd be stuck in Russia till she got another visa to exit).
If you have time, there's a long trip report by MichiganDebi from 2013, in which she details every aspect of her trip to Russia with her son. They went completely independently. The report was really useful to me in planning our trip, plus it's entertaining.
Have fun!
We were told to extend our visas a few days after we planned to leave, just in case (of canceled flights or, in the case of a friend, a taxi accident on the way to the Moscow airport in which she suffered a concussion and a broken collar bone but was afraid to have it treated because she'd be stuck in Russia till she got another visa to exit).
If you have time, there's a long trip report by MichiganDebi from 2013, in which she details every aspect of her trip to Russia with her son. They went completely independently. The report was really useful to me in planning our trip, plus it's entertaining.
Have fun!
Feb 12th, 2015, 07:03 AM
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Visa services are unneeded extra expenses and sources of errors. It you fill in something in every box, even if "N/A" it will be accepted. The consulate even admits the longer form asking for special military weapons training or all travel and employers was in direct reaction to the US requiring that and much more from Russians who wanted to visit the US.
The important information is the passport data which has to be correct or else you might get turned away at the border, the visa support document(sent from your hotel or tour operator), a passport style photo, and payment. For several years you do not send it to the consulate anymore but to ILS (Invisa Logistics Services) who have a visa application receiving contract. They charge $30 but they make sure it is all in order. You can get the 3 year visa for the same price. The 3 year takes about 10 days. It is best to drop the application off at their office if you live near but they will also accept mailed in applications, but charge a lot more for handling.
Be sure your passport is valid 6 months past the last validity of the visa and have at least one full blank page.
Adding the extra time and money needed to use a visa service is a waste and often a great delay. I have been burned badly twice by using services when I thought it might be easier. It took twice the time and they got enough wrong to cause me real problems when I got to Russia. Reading the above paragraphs means you now know more about Russian visa applications than the visa services which handle applications for 150 countries, and seem to know little about Russia. I have the worst experience with Travisa, not only added hundreds of dollars by delaying submitting it, but the visa support I paid for from them(often free from your hotel) for another $350 was fraudulent and no inviting company existed which resulted in court costs, lawyers, and fines and many hearings over 3 weeks. Total out of pocket due to their actions was thousands. Do it yourself and use ILS, the same way the visa service does.
The important information is the passport data which has to be correct or else you might get turned away at the border, the visa support document(sent from your hotel or tour operator), a passport style photo, and payment. For several years you do not send it to the consulate anymore but to ILS (Invisa Logistics Services) who have a visa application receiving contract. They charge $30 but they make sure it is all in order. You can get the 3 year visa for the same price. The 3 year takes about 10 days. It is best to drop the application off at their office if you live near but they will also accept mailed in applications, but charge a lot more for handling.
Be sure your passport is valid 6 months past the last validity of the visa and have at least one full blank page.
Adding the extra time and money needed to use a visa service is a waste and often a great delay. I have been burned badly twice by using services when I thought it might be easier. It took twice the time and they got enough wrong to cause me real problems when I got to Russia. Reading the above paragraphs means you now know more about Russian visa applications than the visa services which handle applications for 150 countries, and seem to know little about Russia. I have the worst experience with Travisa, not only added hundreds of dollars by delaying submitting it, but the visa support I paid for from them(often free from your hotel) for another $350 was fraudulent and no inviting company existed which resulted in court costs, lawyers, and fines and many hearings over 3 weeks. Total out of pocket due to their actions was thousands. Do it yourself and use ILS, the same way the visa service does.
Feb 12th, 2015, 08:52 AM
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Just to reassure you a bit Peg, I did my Baltic travels in May 2012 and had no problems getting buses as I went, without reservations, though I did find out times in advance and how to get to and from bus stations. Buses were frequent and not full, some were more than half empty. If you decide to reserve, LUX has a good website for reservations and you can probably do it last-minute.
I did reserve hotels, but I probably wouldn't bother again; places again seemed half empty. You can always call ahead a few days before you leave. Depends how concerned you are about where you stay.
The Russian visa thing is a pain. I don't think you will get much joy over the phone. I got my visa by going in person to the consulate in Houston, once to apply and about a week later to pick it up. I don't think they worry too much about exact dates of previous visits or previous travel to other countries. But yes, using a visa service takes away the angst. If you haven't already done the application, I would do that.
I did reserve hotels, but I probably wouldn't bother again; places again seemed half empty. You can always call ahead a few days before you leave. Depends how concerned you are about where you stay.
The Russian visa thing is a pain. I don't think you will get much joy over the phone. I got my visa by going in person to the consulate in Houston, once to apply and about a week later to pick it up. I don't think they worry too much about exact dates of previous visits or previous travel to other countries. But yes, using a visa service takes away the angst. If you haven't already done the application, I would do that.
