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Russian Multi Entry Business Visa confusion! Russian Multi Entry Business Visa confusion!
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  #1  
Old 30 Oct 2013
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
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Russian Multi Entry Business Visa confusion!
I was under the impression that getting a multi entry business visa ( we will be in and out 3 times next spring/summer!) for Russia would not be too hard, especially using an Agency.

I got in touch with one. They seem to require a UK business letter to start process (which we cannot provide!) and quote a fortune for it in any case. see below.

And is it really "A big risk" to use a business Visa as a tourist, as they mention?!

Surely, there must be an easier (and cheaper) way?
And what the problem with french passports now??? What did the frogs do lately to upset the Russians?

Email from that agency:

You need to understand that it is a huge risk obtaining a business bias for Russia when you are clearly tourists in transit.
First of all we have to get an original invitation that costs £350.00 each + courier fees from Russia @ £60.00 and we then have to complete your on-line application form @ £25.00 each with false info + the visa fee @ below;
Business 12 month multiple entry Russian visa

£227.60


£60.00


£287.60

Business 12 month multiple entry Russian visa Express Service

£334.80


£60.00


£394.80


The invite takes a month to come through so we often end up using the express service. All this is beyond our control.
BUT we can not get the visa without a business letter to back it up so if you are unable to provide it then we simply can’t do it. I also might like to add that the Russian embassy are a bit more particular with French nationals.
I have copied in Darren who is my Russian specialist if you want to discuss this issue further.

There is no point in me advising further on the other countries until you have made a decision about Russia as you say the trip would be ‘off’.
Amanda

Any thoughts? Or maybe I contacted the wrong agency. If so, who would you recommend to sort out all my visas at once?
I don't have time to go round London to each embassy, I am a contractor and if I don't work I don't earn, so much better for me to pay an agency to do all the legwork.
Happy to hear from anyone on this.

Cheers.
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  #2  
Old 30 Oct 2013
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Sounds like you got the wrong agency Maria!

I will also be getting a multi-entry business visa for my 2014 trip. I have been assured by an agency that business visas are not really just for business and that it is standard practice to issue them for long-duration or multi entry pleasure/tourist purposes. I'll have to look up the agency and add that later.

I was told that if I am in full-time employment, I won't need to submit any business document or financial records. However, those who are unemployed or self-employed may be required to submit proof of their financial standing.

The cost for the Russian visa is expensive - on a bit of a sliding scale depending on how quickly you need the visa. I'll add more specifics later.
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  #3  
Old 30 Oct 2013
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My double entry business visa application through Real Russia was easy peasy! Make up your own letter headed business support letter following their template. The embassy never check. Or if you have a pal with a business use their letterhead. I used my parents sandwich shop, I said I was going to explore catering opportunities and the business was financially supporting me (you then don't have to demonstrate sufficient funds) and that I had my own travel and health insurance blah blah blah... Using Real Russia means it's all done by post, no embassy visits. I'm a UK national, not sure if the same for french?
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Old 30 Oct 2013
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Its not cheap or easy to get a business visa for Russia but there really is no alternative. You will not see much on a 30 day tourist visa. Add in multiple entries and you have no alternative. The vast majority of Moto travellers going thru Russia are also getting business visas.

Stephen has nailed it in his response.

A business letter is not as intimidating as it first appears. if you know someone with a business in case they do check then get them to write u a letter. Nothing in the letter is a promise or guarantee anyway.

And it sounds like u were too honest with your visa agents. Dont tell them the details of your real situation or reasons. That will just frighten them off.

Finally for what its worth FrenCH and Germans have it easier than Brits when it comes to visas. Americans have it easier again. When it comes to foreign relations including visa policy, Russians work on the basis of reciprocity. Thus each nationality actually has different visa costs which is equivalent to what that nation charges Russians for a visa. If its expensive its because thats what France charges Russians.

It can not be fairer than that.
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  #5  
Old 30 Oct 2013
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The franglais-riders
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Hi guys, thanks this is reassuring.
For contracting purposes, I have to have my own limited company (can't contract direct with client) so could use it I presume? Even if address and sole employee / director is myself.....

Anyway, I will try to be more economical with the truth once I get another agency working on our business visas.

Cheers,
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  #6  
Old 30 Oct 2013
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Yikes. That agency sounds like a pain in the rear. We used visalink-Russia.com and I think the invite document cost about 60 euro each & took a week or 2. It looked like something had to go to and from Moscow in the mail and then the scanned doc was sent to us. I don't remember if we provided a business letter but it's likely we did to the embassy. Use your LLC & just say something about consulting or exploring technical partnerships. Once you get the invite doc, applying for the actual visa is straightforward & an agency should not have to jump thru extra hoops. It is worth it to get the business visa though. Even if only for not having to prove and declare every hotel you will stay at. The flexibility is invaluable. Once we got to Russia no official ever asked about our business...good luck
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Old 30 Oct 2013
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I made enquiries with the Go To Russia agency. A couple of the questions and their response are copied below:

1. What is the likelihood of being issued a six-month multi-entry business visa for this kind of trip? It has been suggested that a multi-entry visa would not usually be issued to persons who have not previously entered Russia on a single-entry visa (this will be my first visit to Russia). –
Answer: There is no such restriction. You can get a multiple entry visa even if you have not travelled to Russia before.

2. What flexibility exists regarding the required documentation for a business visa? Your website states that an introductory business letter would be required from a British company detailing the terms of the trip. As the trip will be for purely pleasure purposes, I don't see how I could meet this requirement. How do you deal with this issue for tourists applying for a business visa? – Answer: currently the business letter is not required, however if you are unemployed, self employed or working from home, the Russian consulate will require copies of your bank statements for the last 3 months.
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