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-   -   Confusion on Russian Visa forms (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/confusion-on-russian-visa-forms-614463/)

bajaflash May 10th, 2006 07:35 AM

Confusion on Russian Visa forms
 
I have been on-line and on the phone with GotoRussia and still confused. Would it be possible to actually go to the Russian Consulate in Copenhagen with picture, forms, invitation and our US passports to get the visa right there? We will be in Copenhagen for four days before our flight to St. Petersburg.

Garfield May 10th, 2006 07:45 AM

What is the confusion? It may take longer than 4 days to get the visa in Copenhagen, it is often more difficult to get a visa when you are away fom your home country.

dmelo1 May 10th, 2006 08:43 PM

4-day turn around, in a foreign country. I think you are pushing your luck. It took the consulate here in SF at least a week and that was 'expedited' service. Good luck St. Petes is well worth the effort.
dmelo

Cicerone May 11th, 2006 12:00 AM

I would keep trying until the last minute to get it through the US, but otherwise going via the Russian embassy in Copenhagen is not a bad idea. Having lived outside the US for the last 15 years and having to get a visa roughly every month or so, I can tell you it really no problem to get a visa for a third country when you are living outside the US. No one blinks an eye. The consulates and embassies are usually less crowded than the US ones (can't speak specifically about the Russian embassy in Copenhagen but the ones in Berne and Hong Kong are that way).

You would have to make sure that the Russian embassy will be open on the days you will be there as they may be closed for Russian and/or Danish holidays. I see from your other posts that you arrive in St Petersburg on June 15. I see from the website for the Russian embassy in Coppenhagen that they are closed on Monday June 12 and are of course closed over the previous weekend, so that only leaves you June 13 and 14 to get the visa.

The website for the Russian embassy in Copenhagen is http://www.denmark.mid.ru/5e.html. According to that website, the cost for a visa to be issued in one day is 725 Danish Kroner (about US$125). However, the site says this price is for Danish passport holders. You should call or e-mail the consulate and confirm whether you can get 1-day service is available for US passport holders. My guess is that you can do it, but it may cost you more.

bajaflash May 13th, 2006 05:48 AM

Thank you all for the information. I am trying to fill out the Visa application on the "Go To Russia" web site but when I put in the answers to the questions I run out of room on the question line. I have no idea if it will go through. Have called but no help. It says on the site that if any errors are made the process is cancelled but they keep the monies that are charge on my credit card.

P_M May 13th, 2006 06:04 AM

Have you completed the process and given them your card # yet? If not, you might consider using a visa service. It's more expensive, but they will get it right.

http://visasinternationalonline.com/

bajaflash May 13th, 2006 06:31 AM

Go to Russia is a Russian visa service.
I seem to be computer brain dead.

P_M May 13th, 2006 06:51 AM

Sorry, I didn't know that. If it's not too late to switch, please try Visas International.

Odin May 13th, 2006 06:57 AM

Leaving it until 4 days before entry to Russia to get a visa from Copenhagen could be risky especially when you are not a Danish national. The rules of a consulate vary from country to country, so the rules for the US Russian embassy maybe different to the Russian consulate in Copenhagen.

Expats living longterm in a foreign country might be registered as a resident in that country although not a citizen and this status can make a difference to a visa application for a person applying outside their own country. If you are just passing through, they may not take your application at all.

E_M May 13th, 2006 07:21 AM

Ah, this has been the most informative thread...I will be studying in St. Pete's, and leave for Europe first in two weeks. My university has failed to get my business visa in time. I was hoping that I could get one while in Rome, if they fed-ex me the information.

mcnyc May 13th, 2006 02:10 PM

If it's not too late...go here http://www.ruscon.org/
Click on "English" and then "Entry Visa to Russia" and it should get you all the info you require.

I'm in NYC where they have a consulate, so all I had to do was go to the Consulate with all their requirements and pay for the speed in which I need the visa. They do have same day turnaround.

Go here to choose the consulate nearest you http://www.russianembassy.net/ But don't click the link, you can apply directly with the Russian Embassy nearest your area. Hopefully, you're near one.

Good luck.

Cicerone May 14th, 2006 05:23 PM

Sorry Odin you are just wrong about being able to apply for a visa from a third country. Many tourists here in Hong Kong gets visas for China while staying here in Hong Kong. Many tourists in Thailand gets visas for Burma while staying in Bangkok. Many tourits in India gets visas for Nepal while staying in New Dehli. This is something that is just very, very common. While it is true that I have a residents card for Hong Hong Kong and had one for Switzerland, when I apply for my Russian visas, they do NOT ask to see any residents permit or work permit, all they want to see is the US passport. They do not care where you country of residence is, they only want to know your citizenship. It is no problem to get the visa in another country if you have the time. It just may cost you a bit more than the Russian embassy would charge to local citizens.

bajaflash May 19th, 2006 08:31 AM

Thanking all of you for your help. I have FINALLY finished all the forms and will get pictures today and send the whole batch off. Cicerone: We spend 2 weeks skiing in Zermatt every winter. Missed seeing you at the Hotel Riffelalp. Wonderful hospitality. Vicky

bajaflash Jun 3rd, 2006 12:09 AM

Our passports with the Russian visa stamps arrived yesterday! I was getting worried that our whole trip
would be cancelled because of NO passports. Thanking all of you and
GoToRussia for the help.


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