anyone who is familure with the russian visa process...help!
i've been a lurker on this forum for quite a while.... and while im sure this isnt the best 'hi im new' post..... i could really really really do with some emergency advice!!!
Im going from london to kaliningrad on the 14th of september (supposed to be staying untill the 18th)
however....some friends from moscow have just invited me to 'come see them for a day' .... which would require me to fly from kaliningrad to moscow on the 16th and then return on the 17th....
now... to make matters more complicated... i have an american passport!
ARG!!! this means there are a million and one questions to fill out!
I have my invitation for kaliningrad.... but does it matter if im 'popping to moscow for a day' ???? and seeing as kaliningrad is detached from mainland russia... does this change the visa situation any?? would i still be ok with a single entry visa???
ARGGGGGGHHHH!
the embassy phone line is absolutely useless unfortunately.... :/ so im really hopeing someone here can give me a bit of advice!!!
thanks in advance for your time!!!!!
<3 Haley
Re: anyone who is familure with the russian visa process...h
Quote:
Originally Posted by tendu
i've been a lurker on this forum for quite a while.... and while im sure this isnt the best 'hi im new' post..... i could really really really do with some emergency advice!!!
Im going from london to kaliningrad on the 14th of september (supposed to be staying untill the 18th)
however....some friends from moscow have just invited me to 'come see them for a day' .... which would require me to fly from kaliningrad to moscow on the 16th and then return on the 17th....
now... to make matters more complicated... i have an american passport!
ARG!!! this means there are a million and one questions to fill out!
I have my invitation for kaliningrad.... but does it matter if im 'popping to moscow for a day' ???? and seeing as kaliningrad is detached from mainland russia... does this change the visa situation any?? would i still be ok with a single entry visa???
ARGGGGGGHHHH!
the embassy phone line is absolutely useless unfortunately.... :/ so im really hopeing someone here can give me a bit of advice!!!
thanks in advance for your time!!!!!
<3 Haley
I've never been to Kaliningrad myself... but are you flying?... or by train... because if you go by train, then I imagine you'd have to deal with Belarus borders, which can be tricky.
The fact you're traveling on an American passport. That's a kink.
Helsinki always a back-up option (Russian Embassy, quick visa) but hopefully you shouldn't need it.
If you're entering Kaliningrad on a valid visa, then direct flying to Moscow, then I think you'd be fine... our Russian board-people I'm sure will chime in. Honestly, I'm not sure of the current political/government situation, and whether some sort of transit visa is required.
My main thought would be in Moscow, at Customs Control... I could vision some rather unpleasant officer questioning you for awhile... again... I'll let our resident Muscovites advise you on this. I can hear a customs agent questioning you maybe on "multiple entry-exit" at both points.
Sorry, I just don't know about Kaliningrad.
Also, be careful on the "dates" and registration situation. Your friends or agent in Kaliningrad will still need to register you, if you're going to stay for a few days... and again, you might encounter Customs Control on both ends questioning you, if the registrations are not prepared and in order.
Are you flying on Aeroflot? They should be able to guide and advise you, as much as Aeroflot can and will. :wink: Otherwise... are you using a travel agent? Travel agents familiar with Russian travel should be able to advise you and help you get the visa and registration worked out.
But you are running out of time. I've never used the Russian Embassy in London, but again... time is a definite factor. :wink: