Marc David Miller

As of May 1, 2002, there are new visa regulations for Americans visiting Russia. Some highlights:

-consulate needs passport (now the Russian visa is a seperate sheet, it will be stamped into the passport)
-you need both the invitation and the travel voucher (those who followed the previous visa thread can recall this happening to Canadian applicants)
-you have to prove that you have adequate funds during your visit
---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

You can see the updated information at the NY Consulate's web site (finally updated!) at

www.ruscon.org

I have not seen the updates yet on the Embassy's web site.

Carson

Zoiks! This will affect me. Thanks, MDM.

Carson

On this subject, this is what a visa processing service has to say:

"No matter when the new requirement start, all visas that had been issued
before that are valid for the time indicated in the visa! The point is when
you plan to send your visa application to us. If you do it now, you don't
need to worry about sending your actual passport. If you send it later, the
passport will be required. There is no way to be caught at the border with a
valid visa that has been approved and issued by Russian authorities such as
a Consulate"

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...

Marc David Miller

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.

carson

My understanding is within a 90-day window of the travel.

C.

Gerrit

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.

Gerrit

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

Eugene

Any updates on this question? I tried to call the Russian consulate in NY, but gave up after a couple of attempts.

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?
Thanks in advance for your responses.

Marc David Miller

While at a reception for Boris Eifman two weeks ago I spoke with a consulate official who confirmed this.

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.

Eugene

Thanks!

P.S. You certainly never miss an opportunity. Did you see the actual ballet as well?

Marc David Miller

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

Eugene

Marc,

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?

Thanks.

Marc David Miller

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

fannie

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????

reyna

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.

Marc David Miller

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.

Eugene

Marc,

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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