Hi all,

We have just flown over from Australia to the UK and are awaiting our 4x4 to arrive so we can get started on our trip.

At the moment we've been jumping through hoops trying to get our Russian Visa organised.

They are causing us grief because I'm a non UK resident and they've told us it will take 20 days to process (6 Russian public holidays). We cant fast track it because I'm not a resident and their site originally claimed 7-10 days processing.

The lady at the embassy has now got back to us claiming that we need to provide insurance details for our vehicle before they can process it any further.

From what I understand the third party insurance is available at service stations before the border. I have read that you can obtain them from the insurance companies themselves before setting off, which saves a little time and money but haven't had any luck tracking this down on the net. Ingosstrakh and Rosno are the two companies I've checked.

I'm also a little confused if the green card system actually works in Russia after reading conflicting reports from various travellers.

I told the lady who's handling our application that I don't think its a necessary component to the visa application. Can anyone clarify this for me.

Thanks

London - Cape Town via Central Asia

Lostabound.com

The Russians normally ask for proof of health insurance for non-UK Nationals. I've never heard of anyone needing to prove car insurance.

The Green Card system is now active in the European Part of Russia, but most insurers in the UK will not include Russia on the Green Cards they issue.

I am not aware of being able to buy third party insurance from Russian companies (e.g. RosGosStrakh) online (let me know if you find a way), but there is always an insurance agent / kiosk at the border.

I would send copies of travel insurance documents, and explain that Russian third-party insurance will be bought from the RosGosStrakh agent at >>Insert border name<< on the day you enter, as it is not available online.

If you are still asked for these impossible documents, it may mean they are finding ways to avoid issuing you a visa. In fairness, the rule is that you can only get a Russian Visa in a country where you are a national, or where you are resident for more than 90 days. You should have got them at home

Worst comes to the worst, it's over to DHL to send passports to the embassy in your home country.

Daniel

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4.5 years around Eurasia in a Toyota Hilux|http://eurasiaoverland.wordpress.com/
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Nothings changed then, in 2007 they wanted our passports for a month in June plus a bank statement which was the closer for us. Mongolian Embassy in London gave us the visa in about 4 hours.


Green card liability insurance has included Russia since the early 2000s maybe earlier.


I did not know that UK companies could opt out of covering certain countries, I thought that they were obligated to issue a green card with every insurance policy they sold - as per the treaty obligation. The UK insurance companies seem to have a different definition of Green Card to every other country in the scheme - they sell it as additional insurance to give you the same cover as your UK insurance policy, whereas the other countries use the Green Card scheme to provide you with the legal minimum insurance in a country - usually third party injury - much like Australia's third party injury scheme.

This is not true, at least for citizens of all countries. As a US citizen I have obtained visas in other countries.

I have never heard of anyone asking for vehicle insurance for getting a visa. I just entered Russia a few days ago and they didn't even ask for insurance at the border.

Worst case you could tell the agency you've changed your mind and are flying into Russia; as far as I know there is no question on the visa application about how you plan to enter Russia...

I'm fairly sure it is a rule, somewhere, but like so much in Russia it's all about whether they choose to enforce it. I believe it is technically illegal to drink alcohol in public (outside of bars etc) in Russia, but you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise.

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4.5 years around Eurasia in a Toyota Hilux|http://eurasiaoverland.wordpress.com/
Pictures Here|https://picasaweb.google.com/113619413612674951960

Car insurance is easily available at the border. There are little huts set up with people flagging you down to sell the third-party insurance to you. It's not expensive, but its is the most basic coverage available.

My UK insurer gave me green card coverage for EU and Ukraine but not Russia.

Vehicle insurance should not be of any concern for the Russian visa. It wasn't for us and we declared that we'd be travelling by vehicle. I suspect that your visa company has got this wrong.

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2014 overland adventure to Russia and Central Asia in Land Rover Defender www.bermudarover.com

This is starting to get out of hand!!!

We have spent the day going around in circles with insurance companies, the Russian embassy and the agents handling our visa.

Both the Embassy and the visa agent are saying we definitely need proof of third party insurance for our vehicle to obtain the Russian Visa. This is the first we've heard of this, all our research on the net says otherwise and that you just get this at the border.

We have been offered green card insurance, but it does not cover Russia. Both from companies in and outside the UK.
We found a reasonably priced policy from Walkabout (herts) who would cover the third party insurance through Russia. But then they came back to us and said it needs to be a UK registered vehicle.

We've just got onto an insurance agent based in the Netherlands, they've told us that they can do third party insurance for ALL countries included in the green card agreement. We are just filling in the application form now and will get it off as soon as possible. FINGERS CROSSED!!! we are fast running out of options, and already my wife is saying she doesn't want to go to Russia after spending all day dealing with unhelpful and rude Russians!

Oh yeah, you can apply for a Russian visa as a non-resident, you have to wait the full processing time, it can not be fast tracked. We are up to 20 days but looks like it will be longer now.

Will keep you informed as to how it goes.


London to Cape Town via Central Asia.

Paraplegic driving a modified Toyota Landcruiser Troopcarrier

lostabound.com