- A Russian Visa…
Once you have received that initial Russian visa from your home country. The decision of where do you get your next visa for Russia is prevalent if you desire to stay longer in Russia…
Some people have no desire to stay longer than their tourist visa allows and are happy to get home once their vacation is up…
Some people a small minority have a desire to stay in Russia and experience the real Russia and not what the excursion guide is telling you all about Russia…
Others want to work in Russia and they must go through the proper channels of getting a work permit…
Some get business visas and make use of the ability to create and conduct business connections that enhance both Russia and your home country…
I am going to talk about getting a business visa once you have obtained a business visa from your home country. My level of experience is centered around the American experience. I also have no desire to spend a fortune and travel overseas back to America every time I want to get a visa. That just would not be any fun at all…
Since Svet and I travel a lot in Russia and out of Russia and I like to make business contacts on the way for future arrangements. It just seemed a perfect situation to get a business visa. So I simply have become a business visa expert while I wait patiently for temporary residence permit and ultimately permanent Residence permit…
I leave the country several times every couple of months and multi entry business visas give me exceptional flexibility to come and go as I please. They have allowed me to travel all over the world and still call Russia home…
I guess, with that kind of flexibility I am in no hurry to change the pattern very fast. The only downside is that I need to leave the country for a day or two every three months. That is a perfect excuse to take advantage of business in other countries at that point… 
So for me to get that business visa quickly and smoothly, here is what I do. Now this is for me and I am based out of Moscow. If you live elsewhere in Russia you would have to adjust accordingly. And or for that matter use same for your country where you live if not Russia…
I use the Russian consulate in Kiev. I use the 90 day multi entry business visa. I take a train from Moscow to Kiev. I stay in a hotel one night.
Get your “invitation” sent to them by “Telex” just a few days before you need your new visa. (If like me and you are a regular customer they will already have your Telex pulled out and waiting for you.)
Have visa application filled out before you arrive at the consulate. Typed is the best but OK to print by hand. Two copies of the visa application and a photo pasted to each application, in the appropriate spot on the back.
Have one copy of your passport that is readable. They prefer black and white but color will do. Just make sure that it is clear and readable.
One copy of your immigration card that you received from the Ukraine border at the crossing. Once again a clear and readable copy.
So lest rehash what we need. One telex invitation sent to the Russian Kiev consulate. Two filled out Russian visa applications. Two Russian sized visa / passport photos (3.5cms X 4.5cms). One copy of your immigration card from Ukraine. (By the way make sure you have your passport with you! )
Oh yes, and $250 dollars American. It can be cheaper but you must wait a lot longer to receive the visa. I get it same or next day for $250.
It is very simple and very easy. The most important thing to remember is that they respond with kindness at the consulate and the only time I see issues are when someone gets a attitude going and then things come to a screeching halt…
Getting another visa to Russia is easy peasy…
(By the way if you desire you can contact me by e-mail and I will help if I can for you to get a visa. It can be at times frustrating and seem hard but it really is not. Contact page in on menu bar…)
Windows to Russia!
This link will take you to all of our Visa articles… (There are a bunch) Link…
