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  #1  
Old 10 Apr 2012
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Russia: visa question...
okay, so we had everything sorted out for a quick vsit to russia in july wih the bikes for 2 weeks...until... Our friend in russia didn't get the approval to give us a letter of invitation!!!

The consulate in Antwerp doesn't understand any language except russian (after I waited for more than an hour to get in to ask a question) so PLEASE help us since we nly ave 3 weeks to sortbeveything out!

How do you guys apply for a russian vsa? What's the easiest way?

We will only stay in Russia for 10 to 14 days crossing from Finland and going to St Petersburg and Moscow. We can stay in both cites with friends. then we go back to EU.

I am Belgian so not UK... But any help is welcome!!! I know this question has been asked already a few times in the last monhs/years but now we have the problem and need some solutions fast... Thx guys for your insight on this matter...
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Old 10 Apr 2012
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For Canadians, an invitation letter is not required for a tourist visa. For a business visa invitation you can go through a visa service company who will usually provide one for a fee.
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  #3  
Old 10 Apr 2012
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Two quick options spring to mind:

Use Real Russia. You can submit the visa application on line, then print bits out sign and post it to them. Mine was very quick and I had no problems. Even couriered stamped and approved passport and visa to another address for me as I was out of the country at the time. UK passport but EU so prob wiull be similar for Begians. Friend is in the process of getting the same on a German passport so its a good route.

Speak to David at Stantours. Have had some excellent advice from him - really helpful - and he's doing our Stans stuff ( UK, German/ Oz passports)

We are on a time limit for getting visas too and that's why we have used agencies as opposed to doing our own paperwork and queing. Costs a bit more but I reckon you'll save that on stress and time spent waiting.

Stantours will also send our passports to an overseas address as we both have two each, so if you're in the same position, that too could be an option.

Hope it works out OK.

Belle
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Old 10 Apr 2012
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Use an online agency for the invitation letter. It's cheap and quick. They email you the letter and you print it out.

There's no point in your friend in Russia trying to get you invitation letters as they will have to pay a fee for the processing which is something similar to what an agency charges, plus it's a bit of a headache as your friend has found out.

As people have said: Real Russia and Stantours both have good reputations. I have used both without any problems. Though last time I tried contacting Real Russia they were very poor in replying (several times) which has reduced my opinion of them a bit.

I think I used waytorussia.net for the last Russian invitation letter I had, and it was the most simple and straightforward process I've come across.
Russian Tourist Visa Support Application | waytorussia.net page Seems to be the right page but it's changed loads from when I used them.
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Old 10 Apr 2012
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Ekke, Belle, Nath,

thanx a bunch for this!

I read it last year the part of using agencies, but as I have a lot of fun trying to do everything my own and planning, I didn't want to go for that option.
But since you all had positive experiences and my friend did set it all up in Russia (and we really want to go) I'll take your advice and contact those agencies and let you know the outcome!

THX again for the answers, you are "lifesavers"!

@ Nath: I will stay in touch and read your website, since we both travel on the DRZ400 and are planning on doing roughly the same trip you did...!!! So I will maybe bother you again in the future... ;-)
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Old 10 Apr 2012
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Oh yeah, btw, my friend did have to pay to register etc... the reason why it was refused was never explained to her... We think it can only be because she lives in St Petersburg but applied in the migration office in Moscow or because we have both a Government job that the Russians probably don't like... ;-)
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Old 11 Apr 2012
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i always use Get visa to Russia - tourist, business visa support and invitations. Russian embassy and consulate visa requirements. Visalink ... you will get a tourist voucher for about 40 bux in 24 hours, and with that you can apply for the visa the next day
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Old 12 Apr 2012
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Hi there the best way to get a visa for Russia is to apply for a transit visa at the embassy in Belguim. I say this because it can cost as little as 10% of what it costs for a toiurist visa the only problem is that your transit visa lasts for only 10 days you can however extend it quite easily once you are inside Russia. You do not need a letter of invitation or an itinerrary for a transit visa which further reduces the cost also I got my Transit visa within 24 hrs at no extra cost. Good luck and enjoy the journey.
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Old 12 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
i always use Get visa to Russia - tourist, business visa support and invitations. Russian embassy and consulate visa requirements. Visalink ... you will get a tourist voucher for about 40 bux in 24 hours, and with that you can apply for the visa the next day
Same here,,,And their customer service is excellent.
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