How long does it take to get a tourist visa to Russia if you're traveling independently (no tour, booking your own hotels)? Thanks.

Which country are you applying in? Do you mean the time from submission of application to when you recieve the visa? Anywhere from one day to two weeks, depending on fees paid. You will need an invitation from a Russian organization (usually hotel) and also a travel voucher from one of these organizations.<BR><BR>Go to<BR><BR>www.ruscon.org<BR><BR>for more information.

a travel agency in brooklyn did our visas for $95 (then you fork out another $20 in russia when registering) ... she said it took 3 weeks - they could do it in one week for more $ ... let me know if you need the number

Hi Lili,<BR><BR>I'm going to Russia (for the first time!) in August.<BR><BR>This is probably a stupid question, but did you pay the $20. registration fee in Russian roubles? I've often read that although roubles are the official source of currency, many places actually prefer US dollars.<BR><BR>Jennifer

Yes, they want dollars so be sure to take them. They only allowed us to pay inour hard currency when we went. We actually did not have a visa when we went. There was a problem with either our travel agent or the government. Still do not know how the visas got screwed up. But we went to the Russian embassy in Budapest where we were in the beginning of our trip, and for 10 dollars we got visas and it took about 10 minutes. I would not plan it that way, but it sure worked for us. We had relatives in Budapest, and they were able to speak the language and sure helped us handle a Russian line. You stand in line until 10 am when they open and then you push your way to the door. It was wild, but we did get in fine.<BR><BR>This was a few years ago, but I am sure the option still exists. We did have hotel reservations already.<BR><BR>We jsut did not have a visa.<BR><BR>Debby

Hi Debby,<BR><BR>I just want to make sure I understand -- when registering your visa in Russia, they wouldn't take roubles?!<BR><BR>If so, did you encounter anywhere else in Russia that would only take US dollars and not roubles?<BR><BR>Maybe I'd better take more US dollars than I planned....<BR><BR>Jennifer

The only legal currency in Russia now is the Russian Rouble, you will not have any difficulties using it, however if you want to use US dollars you can. The easiest way to handle money in Russia is use the ATM. Remember to declare your foreign money, if you have over $1500 US cash, when you enter and get your declaration stamped, you must go through red lane.

I was in St. Pitersburg a few weeks ago and registered my visa at the IntelService office. It took all of 5 minutes and they told me that they accepted both dollars and rubles (I paid in dollars).

In New York you can get a visa in 2 days but it costs more.

i had the same experience - they took both dollars and rubles, at the first place we payed $20USD in russia but we had to come back later to pick up our visas and at another place (my friend arrived a few days later) they charged her $30USD but gave the visa back on the spot and were willing to accept either currency - it really doesn't matter as there are exchange places everywhere and the difference in buying and selling us dollars is marginal (last week it was 31.25 to buy and 31.35 to sell - we're talking pretty much cents here)

my to cents: except the $20/$30 for the visa, i prefer to use the rubles, as after all, it IS the local currency and some people do freak out when you come at them with the US dollar - the bottom line is, the prices are in rubles, the people are used to using rubles - it's just more convinient - when in Rome ... (ok, would somebody help me off my soap box, please)

The old days of expecting a better deal in Russia by flashing US$ does not exist anymore. Most times if you are paying in $ you will pay more than if you pay in Roubles.

I used traveldocs.com for my visa, got it back in exactly 7 days, no complaints whatsoever. I paid for 1 wk processing, their fee and shipping. Maybe abit more expensive but well worth it since i live nowhere near a embassy or consulate. When my friends in Russia went to OVIR to get an invitation from me, they had to pay in dollars in St. Petersburg. I know that was specified from the start, at least for my izveshchenie.

Even easier than traveldocs.com but more expensive is with go to russia at: http://www.gotorussia.net<BR>Everything can be done on line.