Russian Visa information

This is not tempting fate, but just for information to hopefully answer a few questions asked on here.

http://www.rusemblon.org/

To get a Tourist Visa to Russia you should submit the following paperwork to the Consulate:

1. A completed visa application form obtainable (free of charge) from the Consulate or from any travel agencies.

2. A valid original 10-year passport with at least one blank page.

3. One recent passport size photo stapled twice to the upper-right corner of the application form.

4. An original Tourist Voucher from a British (Russian) travel agency stamped and signed by an authorized person.

5. A standard Tourist Confirmation (in Russian language) of acceptance from the authorized Russian travel agency or a hotel, registered with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The confirmation must contain the agency???s reference number and registration number.

6. A standard covering letter from your travel agency in the UK (for the tourist agents only).

Tariffs

??30 - for not less than 7 working days processing (??100-multiple entry visa)

??80 - for next day processing (??130-multiple entry visa)

??90 - for the same day processing (??150-multiple entry visa)

??120 - for Express visa

Additional charge for double-entry visas is ??10.

??30 - any correction in visa or visa duplicate.

??30 for not less than 2-3 weeks processing by post (we do not accept urgent visas by post)

Please note that some non-British passport holders are charged with supplementary consular fee.

Please note that we do not accept cheques, only cash ?? (English pounds).

Postal orders for postal applications only.

(This schedule applies starting from the moment you were granted a permission to enter Russian Federation and have paid for consideration of your application papers not from the day you have lodged it).

All applicants with French passports younger 18 years will be charged half of the abovementioned tariffs.

Postal Applications

Before making an application by mail you should first consider the following points:

1. We do not issue urgent visas by mail.

2. Application must be made on the relevant application form.

3. Application must be accompanied by the applicant???s passport, the relevant supporting documentation and correct fee in ?? (English pounds) (please don???t send cash by mail ??? only postal orders payable to "Russian Embassy").If you apply in person and would like to have your passport returned by post then you are to pay cash in ?? (English pounds).

4. Postal Visa Applications processing take 8-12 working days and is charged ??30 (some non-UK passport holders are to pay additional consular fee). Visa fees are not refundable. Cheques and credit cards are not acceptable.

5. This section is not liable for loss of the applications, documents or cash while en route to the consulate.

6. If it is not possible to resolve the application without interview the applicant may be required to attend in person.

7. If you are going to apply by mail you should enclose a plastic self-addressed and pre-paid Special Delivery envelope. In case of your failure to fullfil this requirement all the responsibility for safe delivery lies entirely on you.

Dates of public holidays

The Visa Section is normally open to the public Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. Visa Section will be closed for public holidays on: 1, 2 January - New Year's Holiday, 7 January - Russian Orthodox Christmas, 23 February - Army Day, 8 March - Women's Day, 1,2 May - Labour Day, 9 May - Victory Day, 12 June - Declaration of Sovereignty Day, 7 November - Reconciliation Day, 12 December - Constitution Day.

It may occasionally be necessary to close the section for operational reasons in addition to the dates listed above. It may occasionally be necessary to restrict the number of applications received on any one day. In this eventuality Reception may close earlier than the scheduled time.

Entry Requirements

Do not visit Russia without first obtaining a visa. An exit visa is included with the entry visa. Visitors should register their visas within three working days of arrival in Russia with the local branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Most major hotels will do this automatically. It is not necessary to register a visa if the visit is for only two to three days.

Entry to Russia may be refused and airlines may not carry passengers holding passports with less than six months validity.

Visa Registration

A visa must be registered within 3 working days of arrival in Russia.

However if the visit is only two to three days it is not necessary to register the visa. The individual should ask his/her sponsor (the company indicated on the visa) to issue a supporting letter. This letter, passport and visa should be submitted to the Russian authorities (main OVIR office).

In the case of a private invitation the person who issued the invitation should submit the documents to the visa registration office (OVIR) where the initial visa request was made. A separate letter is not required in the case of a private visit.

If the visitor does not have any information on the company indicated on his/her visa he/she should contact the Moscow Registration Chamber (Tel: 2022963) to obtain the address and telephone number of the company. If the company is not registered with the Moscow Registration Chamber he/she will be issued with a note explaining this. The visa will then need to be registered in person at the central OVIR office (42, Pokrovka Street, Tel: 2073032).The police may fine an individual if his visa is not registered.

FAQ

Q1 - How long does it take to get a visa?

It is impossible to give a firm answer. Each case is treated on its merits. Most applications are assessed initially within 24 hours of receipt. Due to the great number of variable factors it may take anything from a few minutes to several weeks to reach a decision whether to authorise the issue of a visa. Settlement and other long-term applications have to be referred to Moscow before issue can be authorised. This process normally takes around 4 weeks. Once a visa has been authorised, it is usually ready for collection according to above-mentioned schedule.

Q2 - Can I get my money back if I withdraw my application?

No. Visa fees are paid for consideration of the application and are not refundable.

Q3 - Do I need to submit original documents in support of my application?

Original documents are preferable. We are willing to consider photocopied or faxed documents, but we reserve the right to request originals if the need arises. The invitation should be presented at the time the application is made. Do not send invitation and sponsorship letters to the Visa Section before an application has been submitted. Without the file reference which is allocated when we receive an application we cannot ensure that correspondence is attached to the appropriate file.

Q4 - Can I pay in any other currency or by cheque or by credit card?

No. Regrettably, only payment in cash, in UK currency, can be accepted.

IMPORTANT NOTE. Visa applications cannot be accepted if the passport-holder is not present in the country where the application is to be made.

Individual applications made in person or by a courier or other representative are normally considered on the day they are received in the Visa Section

Contact Numbers

Tel: 0207 229 80 27

Visa information (cost ??1 permin): 0906 550 89 60

FAX: 0207 229 32 15

Email: info@rusemblon.org

Location

The Russian Consulate building is on the junction of Kensington Palace Gardens and the Bayswater Road. The nearest tube stations are Queensway and Notting Hill Gate