We will be submitting our application for our Russian business visa in the next week or so.

I've got a few questions however regarding filling in the application form and was hoping someone will be able to point me in the right direction. A couple of questions are of concern.:confused1:

FYI - here is a link to the visa form I will be using.

http://www.sydneyrussianconsulate.co...ation_Form.pdf

Question 7. Purpose of visit
An obvious one, but worth checking anyway - I will state that it is 'business' and not 'Tourist' seeing that its a business visa I'm applying for...

Question 9. Route of journey, incl arrival/dept points.
Do you think I need to include each entry and exit point for the trip? There will be at least 3 of each...

Question 11. Date of departure
Do you think this will be the first date of departure from Russia or the final (i.e.3rd time departing) date of departure? For eg, our route starts in the east and we will be going into Mongolia and the back to Russia before going to Kazak and back to Russia and so on...

Finally, nowhere on the form is there a place to indicate what type of visa you are applying for...do you just tell them when you are there??:confused1:

Thanks everyone

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I'll try to answer based on my experience, hopefully others will chip in if they disagree with something. Note that I've entered and exited Russian many times, but not on a multi-entry/exit overland trip as you are contemplating; hopefully someone who has done a similar trip will pipe up.

Yeah, I would check business. When I asked the woman at the visa counter if it would be a problem that I was overland via the Chinese border instead of flying into Moscow, she expressed some surprise that a business visitor would come from that direction, but didn't squawk.

Not sure about this one, I would probably list the very first entry point and very last exit point, or maybe the first exit and entry points. I think lising multiple points will just confuse everyone.

I'd put the first exit date, but MAKE SURE that your visa is a multi-entry visa and valid for long enough for your entire trip.

In my experience, the type of visa is indicated in the letter of invitation which is used to obtain the visa, so you should ensure that this letter says the right thing.

WayToRussia.Net - A Guide to Russia and Travel Services Directory - Moscow and St. Petersburg Guide, Trans-Siberian, Baikal, Russian visa, apartment rentals and more is probably the best source for info about visas.

I get Annual Multi Entry Business Visas in London - on my 4th now.

In the London Embassy Web sites now you first tell them your citizenship, Visa Type, and Numbers of Entries. You then go on to give them details of you and your Visit. You then download the form which the Computer has completed from the information you gave - which you sign and take along with your other documents.

Apart from the next visit the form asks for the Visas duration so it knows you would want a Multi Entry. Your Inviting Organisation would have said if they are 'hosting' you for one trip, or many.

The final proof that they have the correct Visa in mind is the amount of cash they ask for - check it then. Once they me asked for the fee for a single entry. I pointed out I was applying for a Multi entry and they amended the cash required!

On my last one in March, as with earlier ones, I put down several cities across Rus to justify any documents check ups when wandering about. Never been a problem in 15+ visits.

On entering via Est by motor bike last year the girl just asked why I was not flying as usual! Not wanting to say 'for fun' as it was a Business Visa, I just smiled, shrugged my shoulders and she got on with stamping the Passport, Migration Card and wished me good journey. I like to think she was being friendly and interested in me, rather that protecting her Country from visitors with dubious motives!

Other entry/exit points were no problem - on the spur of the moment I went into Kaliningrad from Coronian Spit (Lithuania) and out the next day into Poland. Kaliningrad was never on any application form. Again - no problem. In fact the Kaliningrad borders worked very well and relatively fast.

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Can anyone please tell me a reliable source for the "letter of invitation" needed to apply for the Russian business visas, and how much it would cost?
My current contact has not proved very relaible.

Many thanks

Scottym

David Berghof at Stantours. He is very reliable and excellent service.

STANTOURS - Central Asia Travel Resources

We paid approx US$130 (from memory) per multi entry business LOI.

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Dubious motives???

we should meet again and discuss, Tony

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My dubious motives then were solely towards her. Although very willing to experiment in that department (and regularly given the chance) I am strictly hetero - sorry "sweetie".

Happy to meet again for a though! I am thinking of riding back that way next month - once the football people have all gone!

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