So I'm in the midst of putting all my ducks in a row for a quasi RTW trip beginning in November...

Quick background: I'm an American currently residing in Australia, though as per 1 Nov I will be relinquishing my work / residence permit and will convert to a long-term tourist visa. I will be doing a big lap of AU for several months, after which I will ship my bike up to South Korea / Far East Russia for Vladivostok to Paris/London via Mongolia and Kazakhstan beginning in April (depending on my tolerance for extreme cold / discomfort ).

I've read that in order to obtain a Russian visa:

1. You need to apply in your country of nationality or residence

and 2. Your LOI will not be accepted more than 45 days out from the proposed visa start date

How do other folks go about obtaining Russian visas while on longer RTW adventures? Will I have to courier my passport to the USA in my case for someone to apply on my behalf, or will I be able to apply in the embassy / consulates across Australia? I can't imagine all the people out there who have traveled Russia have gone there max 45 days after starting their journeys, especially those who start out in e.g. Africa, South America, etc. I'd obviously prefer not to ship off my passport, but if it can't be done it can't be done.

Also, what's the status of obtaining 6 month multi-entry visas? I read somewhere that you used to need a previous Russian visa in order to get these, but am getting conflicting messages on whether it's still the rule.

When you have the dates of entry and exit you will need to visit the local Russian Embassy in the country you are in and check the requirements. In Australia you need to produce a letter of invitation and hotel confirmation.

Hi

Read your email about your trip. I'm thinking about doing the same thing, thought it would be warmer May 2011 onwards - don't fancy freezin' them off.

Any tips/hints about the paperwork needed. I know the ferry is long do they serve meals. I've been in touch with Dong Chun Ferry and have prices etc.
but have drawn a blank on licence plates/insurance etc. in Russia.

PKV, my first step would be a visit to the Russian Consulate in Double Bay - I'm sure they'll give you the best answers, and yes April will be cold - I got snowed on near Ulan Ude in mid June.

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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman

It is true that you need to apply in your country of nationality or residence in most cases.
But it also seems to be on a country-by-country basis. Call the embassy and ask. A "long-term" tourist visa might be OK.

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Japan touring information

Hi PKV1
Sounds like a great trip - what Chris says is true about the Russian visas being on a country by country basis, I have no idea for Americans but you do also have the sticky situation of the 45 day rule.
The way most people get around it is to either:
1. If they can get the visa in the country they set out from apply at the last minute for the visa then get through quickly enough that they clear all the other countries and Russia before their visa expires.

2. Whilst on the road, stop in a major city, send their passport home and get an agency to apply for the visa on their behalf - if you set this up with the agency in advance, it can be done reasonably quickly (within 8-10 days possibly) to courier a passport is generally $50 to reach anywhere in the world within 48 hours

3. Get a second passport and leave it with a visa agency in your home country - so they apply at the appropriate time and courier the passport out to you in the last city before Russia.

I did this journey last year and I met people doing options 1 and 2 and I did option 3.

Although I didn't get the 6 month multi-entry, I have heard you do NOT need to have been to Russia before to get it. David at Stantours STANTOURS - Central Asia Travel Resources is a great source of informationa and source of visas for many peopel going to Russia and the 'Stans.

Good luck

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Tiffany
On the road from...I'm not sure any more
http://www.tiffanystravels.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAUhV1r-kUo

I had some experience of this:-

Russia visa - getting in Bangkok - Lonely Planet travel forum

and overlandcruiser.net then goto Kazakhstan and search for Rose and Dave. Also look at Travel Tips

The moral seems to be - if 1 Russian embassy turns you down, try another.

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www.overlandcruiser.wordpress.com

Hi, just in process of visa application. British passport / live in Norway. Using agenc, but trip is next year and they never said anything about 45 day rule in spite of UK and US using same application form. Does this apply to US only?

Any info I gain in process, I will pass on.

Must now lie down and recover from cost of multi entry business visa via Norway!

Costs these days are based on your own Passport rather than in which country you apply. It used to be different.

In London, for a UK Passport holder, a 1 Year Multi Entry Business Visa costs £200.00 Embassy Fee, + £25.85 Handling Fee, + Whatever your LOI costs (going rate about 130+ Euro), + Whatever your Agency charges (if you use one).
Other nationalities are charged less - see Russia Visa
For example Norweigans and most EU citizens only pay £30

The Embassy Fee, conditions and process are pure 'tit-for-tat' of what the British Embassy in Russia charges and applies to Russians.

If you want it changed lobby your MP.

Actually there are talks between RUS & EU of doing away with Visas - but if that eventually materialises it may only be Schengen EU - leaving UK unchanged.
So much for the original "Common Market for trading and cooperation between partner states" that Britain was sleep-walked into without being asked - or even told!!
The Grocer (RIP) has much to answer for.

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

FYI I contacted the Russian consulate in Sydney, and their response was as follows:

You can apply for a Russian visa in Sydney or Canberra up to 6 months prior to your trip under any valid Australian visa, that gives you a permition to stay in Australia for more than 90 days.

Agency confirm applications for visa cannot be made until approx 6 weeks in advance. So it appears restrictions exist for US and UK citizens.