Russian Visa
 

Has anyone gotten a Russian Visa by going directly to the consulate in NY rather than using a visa service? <BR>Thank you.

Three times--go to <BR> <BR>www.ruscon.com <BR> <BR>for information and application. One issue to rememeber is that you still need an invitation, and to register the Visa when you arrive. Many visa services include this for their fee, or you often can get this through your hotel.

That was not an answer to the above question! I Already have all of that information, thank you. <BR>I would like to know whether anyone has actually done it themselves in NY and whether it is worth the effort to do it yourself.

Yes, Lara, I have obtained my visa three times directly from the consulate. Only you can determine if any price savings are worth the effort of going yourself to the consulate. For instance, I don't know where you are. If you are in, say, Buffalo, I would spend the extra money.

In DC (I imagine similar to NYC) it was a piece of cake, and well worth the savings of approximately $60 per person (I needed nine for my family). I think it would be worth it for only 1 or 2 people, but only you can place a cost value on your time. Actual time in Russian embassy was 15 minutes each to drop off and pick up.