Russian Visa

You get one through exactly the same process as for yourself. And yes, you pay for their visas too.

http://www.realrussia.co.uk/faq2.asp#faq11

RealRussia is a fantastic resource.

As for the costs - you can blame your own government for that.

sturll wrote: »

I have managed to sort a hotel that provides the invite free of charge and the registration once there.

Seems like an absolute farce if you ask me.

Thanks

But worth noting each Visa costs £75 - a rip off. Especially when all there is in Russia is a couple of desperate !!!!!!'s and a bit of snow.

Did you read the last line? The reason for the Russian visas costing so much is a direct consequence of the UK raising charges significantly for Russian nationals to obtain visas for the UK. Likewise with Belarussian visas - they're very cheap for Polish nationals, but dreadfully expensive for British nationals - all because of the UK deciding to charge them a small fortune.

Why are you going to Russia if you believe that Russia has nothing to offer?

sturll wrote: »

I did read the last line. But it didn't effect me since i have watched Russia played childlike politics for years.
A UK visa costs £67.00 a UK Passport costs more than that.

From what I hear, it's quite normal for bribes to be paid on top of the visa costs for a UK visa. So you can't compare direct price for price - and anyway, 67 pounds is far more expensive for a Russian national than for a UK national.

A Russian Visa for 1 adult and 2 children is costing me £249 (including charges) But then lets talk about the 'invitations' and the visa registration - thats another £100 and a lot of messing about. So £350 all in.

Why are you paying so much for invitations and visa registration? It's certainly possible to get it for much cheaper.

I suppose i could now go on to say how i think you are wrong about Russia having 'retaliation charges' but i care that little about politics this morning or even in the current climate that ill not bother. The reality is its not my fault, but i'm one of those effected.

And in this case it genuinely is a RIP OFF to get into Russia.

Then if it's such a RIP OFF UNFAIR CHARGE, don't go to Russia...it's rather simple.

If you were to go as a tourist to a proper hotel or through an authorised travel agent the invitation would be provided free of charge when making a booking for accommodation. The local authorities charge a small fee for registration once there but it's very small (around $1-3 depending on the town) so if you've been quoted more then you've clearly picked something dodgy. And yes, Russia did sign an agreement with the EU over cheaper and easier access to reciprocal visas but the UK refused to participate so it is our own fault.

sturll wrote: »

Especially when all there is in Russia is a couple of desperate !!!!!!'s and a bit of snow.

And as for this... I really shouldn't be tempted, but frankly if you really believe it you should stay on these bigoted shores, where you clearly belong. If nothing else, last time I was in Russia it was 30 degrees in glaring sunshine and there was not a drop of snow around.

sturll wrote: »

Look pal i came on here asking for advice about Russian Visas and you have used this as a petty way of attacking the UK Government

You're right, I am attacking the absurdity of charging a small fortune to Russian nationals for visas while refusing to go along with the same deal that most of the EU struck with Russia. The fact that the Visa Support centre in Moscow for UK visas was given to a company with some very dodgy links to the Kremlin, without being tendered - well, the UK clearly dropped the ball in various ways.

It's well documented that Russia is hoping for easier access throughout the world for their citizens. The EU has made it easier - why won't the UK? Oh wait, I forgot...visas are an easy source of income.

which given you are most likely Polish has done so much for the people of your country at the expense of British citizens.

Ah, the old Daily Mail barb.

What exactly has Britain done for Poland? Very little. The fact that the UK charges 60 pounds just to obtain a permit to work in the UK is nonsense - especially as we don't charge anything for UK nationals to work in Poland.