As with many new posts, this has probably been covered somewhere on the HUBB, in great depth, but I can't find it, so here we go.

I want to get a Visa for Russia. I intend to go to Russia>Kazakhstan>Russia>Mongolia>Russia, and was therefore looking at getting a multiple entry business visa.

However, everywhere I look for info on this, I see the following;

"Please note: IMPORTANT: The Russian consulate may refuse to issue a multiple entry visa unless during the previous year the applicant has been issued with at least one Russian visa (which they have used)."

As the cost for this visa is about £240, and non-refundable, I'm hesitant to proceed without some indication of my chances of success.

Or should I get a double entry (!??) visa, and try and get it altered somewhere on the road?

Many thanks in advance if anyone can help

got to be honest, I have never personally heard of anyone who has had a Russian visa refused, multi entry or otherwise.

I would put your chances of success very high.

To further improve your chances, I would also apply by post to the Edinburgh consulate rather than the London one. They are quicker and more efficient processing your visa due to much much lower workload. That probably also means they are less stressed and less grumpy ... all positive factors when it comes to visas.

The invitation for multi entry business visas is cleared by the FSB (successor to the KGB and very powerful in todays Russia) ... thats why the invite for business visas takes a long time. By getting your multi entry business invite, it effectively means you have been already cleared by the FSB. I would think it was unlikely that the consulate would have any real reasons to effectively overrule the FSB regarding the granting of your visa.

Similarly, the border guards can refuse you entry, even once you get the visa. The only cases I have heard of that are for people with long standing visas who have done something to annoy the State since getting their visa. They also have warnings everywhere that holding a visa does not automatically grant you the right to enter Russia ... its at the discression ofthe border authorities ... in theory.

No guarantees in life but I would think it was highly unlikely for a consulate to not honour the FSB approved invitation.

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Have a look at our site under the visa section about our experience. We decided to go for the multi entry 12 month business visa and got it no problem. We did however apply for the visa in Oz (we are British citizens.)

David from Stantours should be able to give some good advice as well.

Cheers

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www.seeyouwhenwegetthere.com

As Colebatch says, although border guards etc probably DO have power to rescind, they do not use it - well, not to my knowledge, also. The whole system operates on the basis people only check that you got the previous stage done. They then assume that you must be good to get this far in the process, don't check further back, but do their bit and want to be rid of you.

There was an article in Moscow Times last week by the Chief of Visas saying he is looking into pop stars applying for tourist or private visas then performing at a private party. George Michael reputedly collected $2,000,000 last year for a 20 minute set and being photographed shaking a few hands. Brian Ferry and Elton John have been similarly mentioned.

I am sure dirty/oily bikers or 4x4ers will not be scrutinised for if they have had similar offers. I never have been - but I and my bank manager would welcome the reason!

You cannot apply for a visa within RUS nor to have it altered. So either get a multi entry one, or apply for the second one after you exit the first time.

Embassy Visa fees do vary depending on where you apply in terms of country. I understand France and Finland are the cheapest in EU, and UK among the dearest - as always!

If such costs matter significantly in the overall finances of your trip, firstly think if you should be going, but if so, 'shop around' looking at local Embassy websites. Then either get your own invitation sorted if you have contacts or use a local agency.

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Vitim Bridge Clubwww.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533442
www.sibirskyextreme.com

Baron, I had the same difficulty when I applied for my visa last year.

Further to what Colebatch has said, my problem was not getting the business visa but with getting the business visa invitation.

According to "Way to Russia" the rules changed in October 2007 and they (and other internet visa invitation companies) point blank refused to allow me to apply for a multi-entry visa invitation for me if I had not previously visited Russia.

I checked with the Russian consultate in Sydney and they said they would be happy to give me a multi-entry visa providing I had the invitation.

So in effect it seems that it is the FSB who have brought this rule into place.

I ended up getting a double entry business visa and changed my route such that I entered Mongolia from China (instead of Russia), re-entered China and then went from China to Korea to Vladivostok. I was then able to go South from Russia into Kazakhstan and re-enter Russia.

Garry from Oz.

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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman

Baron ... dont know who you are using for your invites ... but I always use VisaLink.ru ... ask for Oksana

She has always charged me AFTER she got me the invite. Takes 2-3 weeks for a 12 month multiple entry invite.

Going that route, and assuming that the consulate is unlikely to deny you a visa if the FSB has approved your invite, your risk level re wasting money is pretty low.

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Excellent, thanks for the help and encouragement people.

Colebatch, I've emailed visalink for some more details, and if they can do the invitation before I commit any money, that sounds ideal.

Pumbaa, website is excellent, and visa info sounds encouraging. I'm going to give it a shot, and see what happens. Who did your website, is it a template? I've been looking for something similar..