Thanks, It's good to hear that. I just thought that in case there's no borders established yet it will be probably safer to double check the dates for Russian visa and be sure its valid regardless of where (which side) I'll be.

Many thanks, that helps a lot!

There is a functioning border going in. A (Ukrainian) friend just posted this:

Entering by train, but I guess by road will be the same.

I imagine that going the other way, you would not get a Ukrainian entry stamp, but there must be some kind of official presence at the 'border'...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...79743006_n.jpg

We asked for, and got, registrations from two hotels that we stayed at during the first week. We haven't asked for any since, but two additional hotels have provided registration forms as part of their service. So we now have four which should keep the officials happy.

We're also keeping the receipts from the various hotels so that we can prove where we stayed, should it become an issue (which I doubt).

Visa Type?
 

First, sorry to see your other post on your crash in China.

I'm applying from USA for a Russian Visa and the rest of my group (Europeans) used a "AUTO TOURISM" Voucher for an "AUTO TOURIST" Visa.

The Embassy won't accept the Voucher from that particular company used by our group so I have a new one but it's plain old TOURIST (not AUTO Tourist). If you don't mind checking, which type visa did you have and if it's a plain old Tourist VISA did you have any issues showing up with a vehicle? Are you German National?

Thanks and get well!

I've just locked my passport away in the station safe. I can check tomorrow but please remind me. I'm suscribed to this thread so I'll get a mail reminder.
Im British and used a london based visa agency "real russia" the russian visa was no problem entry and exit was hassle free. Friendly and helpfull but 100%

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Thanks Nick!

I decided not to enter Luhansk Oblast at present, just didn't seem worth the risk.

I crossed into Russia at an obscure border: Velika Pysarevka (UA) / Grayvoron (RU).

The road on the Ukrainian side is so utterly appalling that there is almost no traffic; I was pretty much the only one there. Both sides were friendly and relaxed, though I got a lot of attention from the Ukrainian guards (mostly out of boredom I imagine).

The main border between Kharkiv and Belgorod is also working, I should really have used that one.

Daniel

Nick, friendly reminder to check your Russian Visa to see if it was a TOURIST or AUTO-TOURIST ("АВТО ТУРИЗМ") Visa under the PURPOSE OF ENTRY?

Hope you're escape plan is going OK!

Please explain your repeated references to this mysterious "auto-tourist" visa...I've had many many Russian visas in my time and have never heard of, or needed, a so-called "auto-tourism" visa. why do you think it matters?

If one get a voucher that says "auto-tourism" from ones contacts in Russia its seems quite obvious that its natural to apply for a "auto-tourism" visa as well.....

That's kind of what I'm trying to determine - does it matter? An earlier post indicates that if you're traveling by MC (or any vehicle I presume) then you need an "Auto-Tourism" Voucher/Visa.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...189#post393724

A group I'm traveling with in August were provided "Auto-Tourism" Vouchers but the Russian Embassy in Washington DC rejected my application. The reason provided was that my Voucher company was not legit (or something along those lines). However, all others in the group used the same voucher and obtained "Auto-Tourism" Visas from different embassies (UK, Norway...). So, I obtained a "Tourist" Voucher provided through my Visa Processing company but they only offered a "Tourist" Voucher and not an "Auto-Tourism" voucher. SO, I then changed my Visa Application to reflect just a plain old "Tourism" Visa. I'm trying to get a warm fuzzy that not having an Auto Tourism Visa isn't going to be a problem when I showup at the border!!!

Yes, that's what I did the first time. Per above, I now have just a "Tourism" Voucher and am applying for a matching "Tourism" Visa.

In that entire thread you cited, "auto-tourism" visas were mentioned exactly once.

Has anyone ever read about someone being turned away from the Russian border because they don't have an auto-tourism visa? I certainly have not ever heard of such an instance. If you review the threads on this forum, you'll see that only debate is whether to get a tourist or business visa, and I have yet to hear of someone getting turned back at the border. I can tell you that I have never had an autotourism visa and have exited/entered Russian many times over the past several years.

Every Russian consulate/embassy applies the visa rules a bit differently, so that shouldn't be surprising.

FWIW, I never heard of an 'auto-tourism' visa when I was going through the process. As Motoreiter says, the only consideration was whether I needed a tourist or business visa. As I will enter Russia three times on the trip, I needed a business visa.

So far on the trip, I've entered Russia twice (once from Ukraine and once from Mongolia). There has been no reference at either border about an 'auto tourism' visa.

What I have experienced, however, is that the Russian Immigraton officials have been primed to flag up anyone who has passed through Ukraine. When leaving Russia and entering Mongolia, we were interviewed/debriefed by a Russian intelligence officer at the border (in an office for 30 minutes), asking about what we'd seen in Ukraine, e.g,. troop movements, protests, etc. As soon as the woman at the desk saw the Ukraine stamp in my passport, she called for the intelligence officer and it went from there.

Similarly, when we exited Mongolia into the Russian Altai, the immigration officer saw the Ukraine stamp and radioed for an intelligence officer. This time, the questions took place at the desk and only for about 5 minutes (after I told him we'd gone through a half-hour interview when entering Mongolia).

I suspect I'll have the same experience when I re-enter Russia from Kaz in a few weeks.

Thanks guys. Sounds like the Tourism visa should work fine then. Still curious why they even have an Auto Tourism voucher and visa as an option!

You can enter with a vehicle on a normal tourist visa.

Auto turizm will be on your invitation if you are specifically being invited with the purpose of driving.

Whatever your invitation says, make sure it matches your answer on the application form for the visa.