Visas
Your experiences with Visas
N Posts: 18
How have you guys gone about getting your Visas? Is it worth using an agency? How long have they taken to come through?
I\'m currently trying to get a Russian and Belarussian visa, but I don\'t think it\'s going to be possible off my own back? I was wondering if anybody has had any experiences with either Russian or Belarussian visas. I\'ve also only got around 3 months left to get them.
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I\'m currently trying to get a Russian and Belarussian visa, but I don\'t think it\'s going to be possible off my own back? I was wondering if anybody has had any experiences with either Russian or Belarussian visas. I\'ve also only got around 3 months left to get them.
Thanks! Reply to this
B Posts: 972
The Russian Embassy in London is pretty reliable, I got a visa through them without going through an agency. An express visa costs about 100 pounds and can be collected within a week; a regular one is about 40 pounds but takes a couple of weeks.
The procedure is very beaurocratic, so an agency may be the best option. As for Belarus, I think the requirements are the same, and I would imagine your application will be dealt with much quicker as there are fewer people applying for a Belarussian visa at any given time.
J. Reply to this
The procedure is very beaurocratic, so an agency may be the best option. As for Belarus, I think the requirements are the same, and I would imagine your application will be dealt with much quicker as there are fewer people applying for a Belarussian visa at any given time.
J. Reply to this
N Posts: 18
Thanks Vinovat. How far in advance do you tink I should apply if I'm leaving England on Febuary 10th?
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B Posts: 972
For me, Russian beaurocracy is just a huge hassle - it's easier said than done, but I would grit your teeth now, get your visa before the end of November, and spend the couple of months before you leave looking forwards to the trip rather than panicking. Where in Russia are you going? Have you been there before?
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N Posts: 18
I've never been to Russia, looking forward to it though. We're using the Trans Siberian to get from Moscow to Mongolia and planning on stopping at quite a few places on the way, apparently you need to keep your wits in cities at night?
Can you reccomend any sites/ places we should visit?
Thanks,
edd Reply to this
Can you reccomend any sites/ places we should visit?
Thanks,
edd Reply to this
B Posts: 972
Send me a personal message if you want to discuss Russia, I'd be happy to help but we're straying off the thread...
Russian cities at night can be dangerous, especially for foreigners, but if you're going east of Moscow in February it's the cold that will give you most to worry about! I lived in Yaroslavl and Tver, which won't be on your route, but Tver is only a couple of hours from Moscow and worth a visit. If you stop in Tatarstan you're in for a treat - lovely scenery and an interesting culture.
Jon Reply to this
Russian cities at night can be dangerous, especially for foreigners, but if you're going east of Moscow in February it's the cold that will give you most to worry about! I lived in Yaroslavl and Tver, which won't be on your route, but Tver is only a couple of hours from Moscow and worth a visit. If you stop in Tatarstan you're in for a treat - lovely scenery and an interesting culture.
Jon Reply to this
N Posts: 18
Do you have to collect your Visa in person or can thery send them to yout hrough the post? I live about 3 hours drive from London and work almost everyday so this might be a challenge ! Reply to this
B Posts: 972
I think they can post it to you, but would you trust our postal service with your passport?
J. Reply to this
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