Hi.

Can anyone offer advice on getting all the VISAS for a UK-Mongolia trip.

Travelling through these countries. I've had a look at the FCO website and this is what I can gather.

Ukraine = No Visa required. Just arrive at the border ??

Russia = Have to go to Embassy in London. But do I need a letter of invitation ? How's the best way to get it ?? Multiple entry or Business ??


Kasakhstan = 14 days issued at the border. Is it that simple ? What about re-entering a few weeks later ? (Required to get to Mongolia)

Uzbekistan = Need a Visa. Where to get it ??

Turkmenistan = Seems tricky. Lots of hoops to jump through. Worth it ?

Tajikistan = Need a VISA. Where to get it ??

Kyrgstan = No visa needed it seems ??

Mongolia = New rules for 2016. Everyone needs a VISA. Biometrics collected at the border. Just ride up to the border ?


Also, am I going to need an International driving licence ?? Any other requirements to know about ?? Any special vehicle permits ?

Many thanks in advance.

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Hi Ted:

Russia = What sort of visa do you need? I would presume multi entry? In that case you need a business multiple entry visa. You also need an LOI. I recommend you use a visa agency. I have used RealRUssia a couple of times now and they are efficient. See their website for requirements and docs. The agency deals with everything, but you will need to go to a “KGB” centre for the biometrics! Not sure if it is only London, there may be other centres somewhere else in the UK for the biometrics. See with the agency.

Kazakhstan = 14 days issued at the border. Is it that simple ? Yes it is. Re-entering does not seem to be a problem, for what I understand. Maybe phone the embassy to confirm.

Uzbekistan = Get the visa at the embassy. Alistair did the legwork last year. Easy.

Turkmenistan = We did not go. Too much hassle.

Tajikistan = Visa: the embassy. Alistair did the legwork, easy.

Kyrgystan = No visa required, that is correct.

Mongolia = We requested visas at the embassy. Fairly straightforward. I can’t remember if they took biometrics….

Note most countries may ask an itinerary in the application form, just put a hotel booking. I remember we booked a hotel (for Uzbek application?) for our visas, via Booking.com, then we cancelled the booking once we had the visas. Easy J


Because most embassies are in London, it may be cheaper for you to get an agency to deal with most visas at once, rather than you come and go back and forth several times down south. Check how much they charge and how much it would be for you to keep commuting.


Cheers,

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

No Visa required, just your passport. Insurance can generally be bought at shops / fuel stations near the border. The border guards we had were generally pretty helpful. The elderly ladies doing the paperwork at the border much less so.

Tourist if you need single or dual entry with a max of 30 days validity. Multiple entry or 30+ days you'll need a business visa. Either way you'll need an LOI (either tourist support documents or business invitation). An agency will most likely offer the smoothest experience, but just getting an LOI through an agency and doing the rest yourself is also possible and probably an interesting experience

Ukrainian Police were not satisfied with our European Driver's License. They specifically wanted to see an International one. Not sure whether that is an actual legal requirement or just another excuse they were hoping to use to "fine" (expressed in the form of "coffee-money") us for something.
Not sure about any of the other countries on the list, but I'm bringing mine along for a similar route next year in any case.

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Belgium to Nordkapp via Iran | Discover Overland | Destination World

I've checked real Russia price for all visas. They charge almost double than going to the embassy. I think I'll end up going down to London for a couple of days and try and do them all at once.

There is a website called visa machine who will issue a Russian LOI for £40 I think..

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Hi Ted

I went to Mongolia last year via Turkey then up through Georgia and the Stans.

I used Real Russia as well, despite the extra cost, they were efficient and it worked out cheaper for me than taking the time off work and wandering round embassies in London.

We got a multiple entry visa business visa for Russia with a letter I knocked up myself on work paper with no problems. The famous Walter Colebatch suggested we get over visa'd just in case (both in terms of duration and number of entries). That proved well worth while as my mate decided to carry on from Mongolia to Magadan and it was possible due to themultiple entry visa. Plus of course if something goes Pete Tong somewhere you can get back into where you've just been if needed or stay longer. Apologies if I'm stating the obvious as from what i've read you've done loads of travelling.

Apart from Mongolia, Tajik and Kyrgyz were the highlights for me, don't forgot the GBAO permit for the Pamir region of Tajikistan.

I'm local to you so if there's anything I can help with gimme a shout.

Great info ta. Do you mind me asking how much you paid Real Russia for all your visas ??

Where abouts are you also ? I'm in the Wirral.

Cheers Ted

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I paid somewhere between £8-900 from memory. that was multiple entry Russia and Kazak, plus Mong, Tajik inc GBAO permit, Uzbek and because we were running short on time included express which is more expensive. Georgia as well but UK citizens don't need as visa as from mid 2015

I'm in Manchester

If you're ever passing the Wirral, drop in for a brew.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ted I may give you a ring next year just to find out what way you managed to do your visas, with been up here in the north it's a bit of a Trek to come down so the best way would be to get it done all in one go.
Thanks m8

Ted
If you're considering using Real Russia to arrange your visas, maybe read

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...y-beware-71975

Other visa agencies are available that can't be any worse than that bunch of crackpots.

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CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective

Two of us went to Russia in the summer of 2012 on bikes.

We arranged our visa and l.o.i. through Scotts Travel Management Ltd Bruno.Ferrage@scottstm.co.uk

I couldn't fault the service. In fact I am about to go to them again (unless anyone can give good reason why I shouldn't) for a visa etc. since like Ted I intend to travel to Mongolia via Russia and Kazakhstan next year.

If i was doing such trip again i would suggest the following to get the most out of your trip and to reduce visa costs ect ect


From UK to Balkans via Ukraine/Romania with time set aside to ride/experience the Balkans rather than just ride through/pass it, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Albania, Serbia, Croatian, Montenegro, Macedonian ect ect.

From there to Greece which i assume would be amazing to ride as a few moto rallys are carried out there so some great routes.

Then to Turkey across to Georgia, For me Georgia is up there with the likes of Kyrgyzstan and a place i plan to visit again and again


From Georgia to Armenia then back to Georgia to Russia via North Ossetian at Vladikavkaz. Stay at local homestays in these Kavkaz regions as peopkle very friendly

Then to elista kalmykia republic in Russia to cross to Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan is pretty boring so pin it to East Kazakhstan and travel around there.

Head to Kyrgyzstan and again take time to travel this country rather than ride through it, here you apply for Tajik visa with Pamir G.B.A.O permit

Then down to Tajik pamir border crossing

Tajikistan again take time to to travel this country rather than ride through it, most homes are homestays.

Back up to Kyrgyzstan, to Kazakhstan to Russia Altai region then to Mongolia.

So visa wise basically you only need a Russia multi entry 6 month Business visa and a Mongolian (according to new rules) visa before you set off as other visa on arrival or on way.

You will miss out on Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan but also miss out on visa process/fees.

Cheers I'll work that out on my map. Great info

__________________
Did some trips.
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Real Russia are looking for around £900-£1000 for all my VISAS.

But considering Russia and Mongolia now require biometric data a trip to the embassy is STILL required.

So I'll still have drag my ass down to 'The big smoke' in 'That there London town'

So It makes sense to spend a few days in a squat hostel and get them myself...

God I hate London.....

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

The joys of bureaucracy and officialdom... ' I'm not envious of the expenses and bullish!t that await you in your desire to go east. Hope the weather holds when you get there.

It is a rite of passage you have to do in the bike travel fraternity before you realise South America is where it's at.

Just make sure you check out other visa agencies like Stan Tours and the one suggested by Walter in the thread I linked to.

Best regards from Arequipa in southern Peru. No rain no mosquitoes friendly hoteliers cheap hotels friendly petrol pump attendants. £900 will buy you a flight and the loss on buying and selling a bike. Just sayin'

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CURRENT RR WITH REGULAR UPDATES: The Wife Takes on Chlamydia: A South American Retrospective