Does anyone have experience of going to Russia independently invited by a Russian friend who lives in the USA? We are trying to work out how to get Russian visas as we don't seem to fall into any of the categories specified. Any help or experiences greatly appreciated!

There are lots of posts here about that. You need an "invitation" and some hotels will do that for you. Search on Russian visas or just go to the Russia only forum and you can read up on it.

Sorry to be so stupid. We can not get an invitation from a hotel because we will not be staying in one: we will be staying in our friend's house. I can not see a Russia forum on this board and although I have looked up Russian visas on Google, the info I got does not cover the situation we will be in. Hoping someone out there has done this themselves.

Why do you say "we don't seem to fall into any of the categories specified"? Unless there's something else you haven't mentioned, you should apply for a "private visa" (a/k/a a "homestay visa&quot. Any of the Russian consulates' websites should have information. Here's one (the San Francisco consulate):
http://www.consulrussia.org/

There are alos commercial visa services that can help you, if you don't want to deal directly with the consulate.

I found this link in another post. You may want to seeif you can find your info there.

http://waytorussia.net/TalkLounge/

Russia is listed under the Europe forum. Go up to the search box on the right where you can narrow the posts by country. Russia is there. Click on it and you will see the posts from others about the issue.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...amp;dirtyBit=1

Here is one thread that might help.

It would be much easier for both you and your friend if you just went with a regular tourist visa. You can read more on your queastion on waytorussia.net

You can get an invitation in seconds - whether you're staying at a hotel or with friends - at www.getrussian.com

Highly recommended.