Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Russian Visa for US citizen Russian Visa for US citizen
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Genghis9021

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Jan 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 30
Russian Visa for US citizen
Maybe I should just lie? The requirement to apply for a visa according to travel.state.gov is Hotel reservation confirmation and Tourist services by an approved tourist organization. A) I have no idea where Im staying along the way but I will be entering East of Narva Estonia and exiting north of St Petersburg into Finland.
B) Im not using any tourist organization.
I have a Russian consulate in Seattle so I can go ask them but any advice from those that have gone before me?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Jan 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 276
You can get a business visa. You only have to submit a short list of city names but you must procure the invite document which can be done over the web. We used visalink-Russia.com. It does take a couple weeks because I think they have to mail to Moscow then scan & send. You still have to register when you get to Russia but a hotel will do that for you. IMHO it's worth the flexibility rather than messing with booking hotels & canceling them.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Jan 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 30
Thanks. That's the answer I'm looking for
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Jan 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Europe currently
Posts: 213
3 year multiple entry tourist visa for US citizens
I used Rainier world travel inc out of Seattle area. they went to the consulate for me RAINIER WORLD TRAVEL INC.. They also got my invite letter. It took about 3 weeks and that was sending my passport from Georgia (the country) to Seattle and back.

I didn't ever have any hotel reservations and I didn't stay at any of the hotels on my list. It was never a problem. I crossed russian borders 6 different times this past summer and the only problem with Border police was they had never seen the 3 year visa because it was new last year. So they would always call their superior over to look at it. Other than that, It was a breeze.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 Jan 2014
Genghis9021's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Posts: 193
Flyred,

Visit the Russian Consulate website. Things have gotten MUCH easier for a US Citizen to get a business visa. And the new 3-year Visa (as of Sept 2012) makes it even easier.

And you want the 3-year one ! There's less documentation required and it's simpler to acquire.

As a legal resident of Thailand (with a US Passport) I got mine in BKK in 5 days for $160.

ONLY at the Mongolian->Russia border crossing did anyone take notice. And that, according to local officials, was because my Visa had been issued in BKK to an American.

Good luck !
__________________
Orange, it's the new black.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Mar 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Woodland, California
Posts: 16
I just got a 3 yr tourist visa (am a US citizen), going through Russian Visa Full Service and Support. Russian Visa Online | Russian Embassy - Get travel (tourist visa), business visa to russia. Go to Russia Travel. Get visa for Russia in Russian Embassy and Russian Consulate in London,San Francisco, New York (NY, for $324. They commit to having it back in 13 business days. They take care of the "tourist voucher" (the invite to come to Russia). The application asks for dates of travel (I put down starting 4 weeks from the date I submitted it, ending 36 months later. You have to have 6 months left on your visa: if you don't, they shorten the three years to give you 6 months left. They want the cities you visit listed, but that doesn't go on your visa so not to worry. Any questions, they were happy to answer on the phone. Very professional and efficient. I believe they get ~$100 out of the $324 for the tourist voucher and their effort to process the Visa. Rest are the consulate fees.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
North to South Visa Info - How's this look? ajctraveler sub-Saharan Africa 68 21 Jul 2014 15:31
Real Russia visa agency. Beware, be very aware... chris Trip Paperwork 13 12 Apr 2014 17:12
Russian Multi Entry Business Visa confusion! maria41 Trip Paperwork 12 15 Jan 2014 06:51
Visas – What do you need know before you drive to China? BigO Trip Paperwork 3 15 Jun 2013 01:35
West Africa visas - 2011 experience africano sub-Saharan Africa 12 7 Apr 2012 14:39

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:16.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top