Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
quire a visa or if you plan to take advantage of the 72-hour visa on arrival
The primary types of visas are tourist visas (for one entry, 30-day stay) or
business visas (one-entry, two-entry or multi-entry, for 30- to 90-day stays).
You can also get a 'private' visa if you have a personal friend who is inviting
you to Russia, but be aware that he or she will undergo some serious hassle
to get you an invitation.
The specific requirements of Russian embassies in each country differ
slightly, so check with the website of the embassy you're planning to apply
through. Be aware that unless you live permanently somewhere outside your
own country, you won't usually be able to obtain a Russian visa anywhere but
at home.
Generally for all visas you'll need to submit your passport, a photo, an invit-
ation of letter of support from either a hotel or a travel agency, a completed
application form (downloadable from the embassy website), and in most
cases a certificate of insurance coverage.
The most annoying part of the visa process is the need to provide an invita-
tion or a letter of support. If your hotel doesn't offer this service (most do,
though you'll usually need to pay for it), then try one of the following travel
agencies.
Application
Apply as soon as you have all the documents you need (but not more than
two months ahead). Processing time ranges from 24 hours to two weeks, de-
pending on how much you are willing to pay.
