Applying for a Russian Visa 8 months in advance
 

Hi All
Is there a way of getting a Russian Visa earlier than 3 months in advance, or when we're actually on the road in USA?

The Sydney Russian consulate site states I can't apply for a Russian Visa earlier than 3 months before the first entry into Russia.

This is a problem for us as we will leave Sydney in January 2016, and ride from South America to Alaska, then ship bikes to Magadan, Russia.
We expect to arrive in Russia around June / July 2016.

So we have 2 issues:
1) getting a visa 8 months in advance before we leave Sydney
2) giving accurate dates when we would enter Russia.

I would appreciate any feedback anyone can give me.
Cheers
Sally

You might have to courier your passports back home and use a friend or visa agent.

Little bit on Russian visas at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...refusals-82828 where someone suggests getting a business visa with longer validity and multiple entries to give yourself a bigger window.

BTW there are a few countries where it is much easier and sometimes mandatory to get visas while still in your home country.

I had a similar issue and got my visa in Ulaanbatar, Mongolia in 2 weeks. After that I asked them to ship my passport to the border town where I'd cross.

Not to difficult, not the cheapest. Paid around 120 dollars for shipping and the visa.

I did I through Legend Tours, downtown UB. Apparently they are best buddy's with the embassy.

Perhaps a construction like this?

Alex

Thanks Tony - I was thinking I might need a business visa.

Thanks Alex - good to know other people posted their passport back home for processing and got it back!
Hopefully we could do the same while in the USA, as we fly first into Magadan and then go to Mongolia.

I would suggest getting concurrent aus passports then you always have one.

when I got my Russian visa earlier this year I had to go to the Embassy/visa house and give my finger prints. I know UK was part of a pilot scheme but it may venture out to other country's.

Get a 12 month ME Business Visa. You cant go far wrong with this one. As others have said, ship your passport back home, get the visa and mail it back. In the grand scheme of things the cost of the 12 month MEBV wont be much when it gives you peace of mind and options down the track.

G