Russian Visa Regulations Revised
 

<BR><BR>As of May 1, 2002, there are new visa regulations for Americans visiting Russia. Some highlights:<BR><BR>-consulate needs passport (now the Russian visa is a seperate sheet, it will be stamped into the passport)<BR>-you need both the invitation and the travel voucher (those who followed the previous visa thread can recall this happening to Canadian applicants)<BR>-you have to prove that you have adequate funds during your visit<BR>---I have no idea of how this is verified (other countries allow you to show a credit card); I suspect that this will be a non-enforced requirement for Americans, but we can't be sure<BR><BR>You can see the updated information at the NY Consulate's web site (finally updated!) at<BR><BR>www.ruscon.org<BR><BR>I have not seen the updates yet on the Embassy's web site.

Zoiks! This will affect me. Thanks, MDM.

On this subject, this is what a visa processing service has to say:<BR><BR>"No matter when the new requirement start, all visas that had been issued<BR>before that are valid for the time indicated in the visa! The point is when<BR>you plan to send your visa application to us. If you do it now, you don't<BR>need to worry about sending your actual passport. If you send it later, the<BR>passport will be required. There is no way to be caught at the border with a<BR>valid visa that has been approved and issued by Russian authorities such as<BR>a Consulate"<BR><BR>Hope she is right, as I do not relish the thought of being snared in a bureaucratic web of immigration and/or confusion entering, traveling in and exiting Russia...<BR>

which begs the question, how long in advance could I apply for a visa? From speaking with consular officials in NY I feel it wouldn't be a problem to enter under the old visa--after all, it has already been issued and will remain valid for the indicated dates.

My understanding is within a 90-day window of the travel.<BR><BR>C.

For you Canadians out there, are you aware of any agencies in Canada that offers a similar service as do some of these American agencies who obtain Russian visas.

I answered my own question. The following service appears to meet most needs, regardless where you apply from, for a visa: WWW.VISAHOUSE.COM<BR>I'll go with that service unless someone can point out deficiencies that a neophyte like myself is unaware of.

Any updates on this question? I tried to call the Russian consulate in NY, but gave up after a couple of attempts.<BR><BR>I will not be leaving for Russia until May 18th. I was planning to get my visa in the next few days, but am now having doubts. Should I wait until May 1st so as to make sure I will be traveling with a valid visa? Btw, where, besides the FAQ section on NY Russian consulate's website, have you seen this information posted? <BR>Thanks in advance for your responses.

While at a reception for Boris Eifman two weeks ago I spoke with a consulate official who confirmed this.<BR><BR>If you get a visa under the "old" system it will still be valid to enter/exit Russia (as long as the dates are correct on the visa)--you would not need to get your visa re-issued.

Thanks!<BR><BR>P.S. You certainly never miss an opportunity. :-) Did you see the actual ballet as well?

Actually, no, not this year--I have other events every night they were performing.

Marc,<BR><BR>Do you know how long it would take me ? I know that the consulate usually opens around 9:30 a.m. Should I show up to apply for a tourist visa in personaround 9 or so? <BR><BR>Thanks.

At least in NY the consulate becomes an unruly zoo starting in April, so get there early (I don't know about other cities).

Is it absolutely necessary to use a visa service? I can read and write... Also, we will be going only to St. Petersburg on the train from Helsinki and staying only 2-3 days, can we use a transit visa????

I am pretty sure they take Visa in Russia. My mama told me that they do indeed accept Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, and I am not sure about Diner's Club. I bet you could use your Sear's and or JC penney's card there too. Happy Shopping.

Fannie, you can't use a transit visa for your proposed trip. The transit visa is for people who are flying through Russia to another destination different than where they are flying from.

Marc,<BR><BR>I just applied for my travel visa at NY Russian consulate. I showed up around 3:30-4 p.m., expecting to see a line there, but ended up being the only visitor on the premises! I'm supposed to pick up my visa on or after May 3rd. I'm curious whether I will get a stamped one (they did keep my original passport).

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