Russian tourist visa 'invitations'

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

ps in answer to my original question, advice is yes, get the second invitation from my second hotel, put the first invitation numbers in the visa application, but attach both to the paperwork and passport when they are sent to the consulate.

Interestingly, having obtained invitations from both hotels, and included them in my Visa application, the Visa came back with the "Invitation number" area not filled out. Last year, with a 'scientific/humanitarian' visa, it was filled out. I queried the Toll Visa Direct people and they said that the Invite No. area is never filled out for a tourist visa. Hope they are right.

 

[kpc]

Interestingly, having obtained invitations from both hotels, and included them in my Visa application, the Visa came back with the "Invitation number" area not filled out. Last year, with a 'scientific/humanitarian' visa, it was filled out. I queried the Toll Visa Direct people and they said that the Invite No. area is never filled out for a tourist visa. Hope they are right.

FWIW, our 3 tourist Visas have a blank here as well.

 

[Danger]

I found the Russian visa application ridiculously laborious. And if the staff at the Embassy in Canberra are anything to go by, the Russians won't be blowing me away with their warmth and hospitality.

 

[RooFlyer]

I found the Russian visa application ridiculously laborious. And if the staff at the Embassy in Canberra are anything to go by, the Russians won't be blowing me away with their warmth and hospitality.

No, they won't (as a rule), but the country and experience in general should blow you away. But do appreciate the bread and salt if proffered on arrival somewhere.

 

[anat0l]

I found the Russian visa application ridiculously laborious. And if the staff at the Embassy in Canberra are anything to go by, the Russians won't be blowing me away with their warmth and hospitality.

O/T: A little tip: Russians, as a rule, don't tend to smile a lot. Why? Because in their society, smiling is more a friendly gesture between people who you know well. Smiling at someone you don't know is either weird, or can connote that you're laughing at something / something is wrong.

Once you get to know someone rather well, Russians will generally open up.

I think this tends to explain why Westerners flying on Russian carriers sometimes comment about the "surly" service. I believe that recently a new ad campaign for Russians visiting Italy also told Russians to smile more!

 

[kpc]

I found the Russian visa application ridiculously laborious.

You won't get an argument from me!! And I had to do it for 3 people!!!

 

[mrpasqualee]

If anyone is looking for an easy way to get an Invitation Letter for a Russian visa - visit 'waytorussia' (I can't post the link with my present post count)
costs $30USD, and turnaround time is <24hrs

have used them multiple times with no hassles. I'm a bit of a veteran when it comes to Russian visas currently in Kazan, Russia on my 7th trip here