I'm seriously considering a RTW motorcycle ride and plan on flying a bike via Magadan airlines from Anchorage Alaska to Magadan, then make my way into Mongolia, and then onto western Europe.

Through several hours of online searching, this is what I have found I need to get a Visa for Russia:

Since I will need at least a double entry visa and possibly a multi-entry visa for the trip into Mongolia and the time needed for riding through Russia, I’ll need a Business Visa

1.) Find a company that will provide an invite for Business Visa, tell them I will be flying into Magadan:

http://www.onlinevisa.ru/index.html
http://www.waytorussia.net/

Any other company preferred for this service?


2.) Get Visa application form from Embasy.

Download copy here:

http://www.waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/AppVisaUSA.pdf

3.) Mail the following documents to nearest Russian Embassy/Consulate:

a.) Filled out Visa application form
b.) Copy of business invitation for single/double entry, or original of business invitation.
c.) HIV certificate for multi entry/business Visa (from any doctor?)
d.) Copy of, or original passport
e.) A few passport size photos

4.) Wait for passport and Visa to be sent back?

Am I missing anything?

I understand that US citizens no longer need a Visa for Mongolia,? If that is incorrect, is one easily obtainable at/near the border?

[This message has been edited by MarkCh (edited 09 March 2006).]

"Holders of US passport, who travel to Mongolia for official, private business and tourism for up to 90 days are exempted from visa requirements in accordance with the New Visa Policy, which is effective since July 18, 2001."

If you are traveling with a non-US citizen friend, I believe you can get a Mongoian visa in Ulan-Ude Russia in a day or two.

You may want to check more on the AIDS certificate for Russia. I thought they were only required for a long-term stay (6-month visa or longer).

And make sure you have done your homework on the Magadan route. It isn't an easy route (not that I can give first-person information, but I do have friends who have gone that way).

__________________
Japan touring information

Thanks Chris for the reply. I read about http://www.blue-dunes.com/ experiences and Adrian's (http://www.users.bigpond.net.au/AdrianScott/) experiences. I know it will be a tough journey and is why I want to ride that section. I enjoy dirt riding and challanges, though I have no illusions of an easy time, and expect that I'll be in harsh conditions.

As for teh Russian Visa info, i think I'll heed Mike's (www.rtwrider.net) words and pay a company to handle the paper work for me, likely this company: http://www.russia-visa.com/

MarkCh