Russian Travel

Russian travel plans need to be made well in advance of the scheduled trip because the visa requirements for traveling to that country are very strict. The first step to obtaining a visa is to have a valid passport. Research shows that the Russian consulate will require the passport be valid anywhere from three to six months prior to applying for a visa. If the passport has been valid for this amount of time, the traveler will need to decide who will write the invitation letter needed to enter the country. Applicants cannot file for a visa themselves; they need to have an invitation issued by a third party. For this reason, enlisting the help of a travel agent is recommended. Another option is to choose a company that offers a service that helps the traveler walk through the application process. Companies that help with the Russian travel requirements can be located by searching online. The benefit of these companies is that the vacationer can complete most of the process through the mail.

Once the traveler has determined which third party to use, a travel agent or an online service, he can begin to assemble all the necessary paperwork. He will need a visa application, which can be found through the travel agent or online. He will also need confirmation of a hotel as evidence of where he will be staying and/or evidence of a round trip ticket. Once the application is filled out, put together a Russian travel packet that includes the following items: a valid passport, evidence of accommodations or flight plans, an invitation letter from a third party, and up to three passport-sized photos (2 in x 2 in). In addition to this, men aged 16-45 will need to fill out a supplemental document called form 95. Requirements are always subject to change, so call the Russian consulate and ask for all guidelines to check if this is the most up-to-date, comprehensive list.

The cost of the visa varies depending on who is processing the information, but expect to pay between $100 and $150. Ask the organization chosen to assist if its application fees cover a visa registration fee, otherwise the visitor will have to pay this fee once he enters Russia. If a vacationer does not register his visa within 72 hours of going over the border, he can get fined by police. If someone eludes the police, that person will be fined when he leaves the country, so there is no way to avoid paying. Although this may all sound difficult and intimidating, Russian travel is not uncommon. It is time consuming to organize the paperwork, but not difficult when working with an experienced agency. The psalmist writes, "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1). Enjoy the beauty of God's earth in the grand austerity of the Siberian wilderness or the lushness of the Caucasus. Enjoy the business of world-class cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg.

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