Come ottenere il visto per la Russia

OBTAINING A VISA BY GOING THROUGH THE CONSULATE.. 1

GETTING A VISA WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE CONSULATE.. 2

Russia is certainly a fascinating destination , a vast nation, the largest in the world, stretching from Europe to the easternmost tip of Asia, almost bordering Alaska—which, after all, was once its possession. Those who choose to visit it do so for several reasons: Moscow and St. Petersburg , the country’s two largest cities and cultural centers; Siberia ; and the Kamchatka region.

A trip that will certainly not disappoint enthusiasts . But obtaining the elusive visa requires long waits at the consulate and medical insurance, which is mandatory there, as in many other countries around the world. This article will suggest two ways to obtain it: the first is cheaper, but takes a long time; the second is more expensive, but suitable for those with less time to organize.

OBTAINING A VISA BY GOING THROUGH THE CONSULATE

The cheapest, but also the slowest, way to obtain a Russian visa is to go to the Russian Consulate to apply , without contacting agencies or tour operators . It’s important to know that Russia is an extremely bureaucratic country , so the process can take much longer than you might imagine, and it’s easy to get discouraged . But there’s no need to worry!

An appointment at the consulate must be booked (also online, using the Rusturn system). There are four Russian consulates in Italy , located in the following cities: Rome, Milan, Genoa, and Palermo . In particular, if you don’t speak or understand Russian, then using the online system is practically mandatory, because the Call Center —available at 895 898 95 61 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm daily— only speaks Russian . Therefore, even minimal cooperation would be very difficult if the two ends of the line don’t understand each other!

Booking also means starting to spend: the appointment costs €2.70 . Before turning on your computer—or while you’re doing so— remember to have all your most important documents with you , especially your passport, as you’ll be asked for its number. The consulate website also asks you to specify the reason for booking when requesting an appointment . Read the rules on the website carefully to book your appointment.

Also remember that if you’re traveling with someone else , a single appointment won’t be enough to get everyone’s visas ! You’ll need to book as many appointments as you are, and therefore for as many visas as you need—and have everyone’s documents handy. Also, be sure to book well in advance , especially if you plan to travel in the summer or during the Christmas holidays: these are the times when appointment dates are booked up, and only a few are available. So, to be safe, try to book an appointment at least 40 days before departure.

Another essential step for a worry-free vacation in Russia is health insurance . It must be issued by Russian insurance companies or by foreign companies that have contracts with Russian ones (such as Klass Assist or Ingosstrah ). There are no specific procedures required; insurance can also be purchased at the Consulate on the booked date , but be aware that it costs 5 euros more than you would pay to buy it independently (it costs 16 euros on its own, 21 euros at the Consulate).

The third step is the tourist voucher or invitation letter. You must fill out the form with all your personal information , including your arrival and departure dates in Russia, as well as the route you intend to take (this means that if you plan to go somewhere not listed on the voucher, you will most likely be denied entry). If you’re traveling without a travel agency—as in this case—you can get the letter from www.travelrussia.su, costing 15 euros. You’ll need to choose a hotel from the list in the city you’re arriving in, and once you’ve paid (both credit cards and PayPal are accepted), the letter will be sent to your email address with the hotel’s stamp and other necessary information, within three business days.

The final step is to present yourself at the consulate . Remember to bring a passport photo , your passport (which must expire after at least six months), your invitation voucher , and health insurance if you purchased it yourself (otherwise, as mentioned, you can purchase it directly at the consulate). The wait after the various procedures will not exceed ten days, for a cost of 35 euros . If you’re in a hurry and want to obtain the visa in three days or less, the cost increases to 70 euros.

GETTING A VISA WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE CONSULATE

We’ve seen, then, that obtaining the essential document for entry to the vast Russian nation is quite inexpensive , but involves interminable waiting times. The large number of documents required also makes the process straightforward.

This is why if you are in a hurry and have little time available – perhaps for work, study or something else – it is useful to organize the experience with agencies accredited by the Russian Consulate , which take care of acting as a sort of intermediary to obtain the document.

Be aware, however, that shortening the process also means increasing costs , which can be about double that of going to the Consulate yourself and going through the entire process described above. However, it’s worth it if you don’t have much time to deal with bureaucracy that depends on the country you’re applying for. We’ve seen that obtaining a visa through the Consulate requires an appointment, and the waiting time for this appointment can easily exceed thirty days.

By contacting agencies, you can deliver everything you need directly to them and have the guarantee of immediate (or at least much faster) access to the Consulate for your passport.

Remember, however, that no matter what procedure you go through to obtain this important document: the maximum length of stay in Russia permitted with a normal tourist visa is 30 days , no more, no less.

Here, then, is how to proceed “without going through the go” (ie the Consulate):

• Before submitting everything to the agency you are using, you must first fill out an electronic version of the VIST application form , which can be obtained from the official website of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, indicating the “visa center” where you will submit the documents.
• The Russian agency or tour operator you contact will have to issue you with the tourist voucher.
• Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages and does not expire within six months.
• The agency will require a color passport photo , measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm, and will require health insurance, which you must purchase yourself at a cost of 16 euros. It is important that this policy covers the entire period of your stay in Russia and includes all available medical and transportation services, including—obviously in the most serious cases—repatriation of the deceased. Valid policies are those issued by Russian agencies or those that have partnership agreements with them.

Remember to check that the agency you’re using is accredited by the Consulate of the city where they’re located (so if you’re using Milan, the agency must be accredited by the Russian Consulate in Milan). There are several agencies , all generally professional and punctual. The most highly rated are VHS Italy, which has offices in Rome, Milan, Genoa, and Palermo; and Italconcept, which has offices in Milan, Genoa, and Rome, but not in Palermo.

As mentioned, applying through agencies to obtain a visa costs more than double that of going through the consulate: while the self-service procedure costs 35 euros, going through an agency costs at least 70, but this varies depending on who you choose.

For example, Italconcept has an even higher price but is among the most reliable. To contact them, schedule an appointment on their website or call one of the following numbers depending on your location:

• Milan: 0289695862.
• Rome: 0645446950.
• Genoa: 0108601331.

They usually receive them immediately or at least very quickly.

By following these procedures—whether you choose to go through the Consulate or an agency or tour operator—you can enjoy your Russian experience with complete peace of mind. The Third Rome (as Moscow was called after the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire) will surprise you with its unique architecture and, more generally, its immensity, which makes it one of the largest cities in the world. St. Petersburg, on the other hand, will pamper you with its architecture created by all the finest Italian, French, and Flemish artists, whom Tsar Peter the Great (who gave his name to the city) attracted from the vast Russian Empire with the aim of making the city equal to Paris, Milan, Rome, and London.

Russia is certainly a fascinating destination , a vast nation, the largest in the world, stretching from Europe to the easternmost tip of Asia, almost bordering Alaska—which, after all, was once its possession. Those who choose to visit it do so for several reasons: Moscow and St. Petersburg , the country’s two largest cities and cultural centers; Siberia ; and the Kamchatka region.

A trip that will certainly not disappoint enthusiasts . But obtaining the elusive visa requires long waits at the consulate and medical insurance, which is mandatory there, as in many other countries around the world. This article will suggest two ways to obtain it: the first is cheaper, but takes a long time; the second is more expensive, but suitable for those with less time to organize.

OBTAINING A VISA BY GOING THROUGH THE CONSULATE

The cheapest, but also the slowest, way to obtain a Russian visa is to go to the Russian Consulate to apply , without contacting agencies or tour operators . It’s important to know that Russia is an extremely bureaucratic country , so the process can take much longer than you might imagine, and it’s easy to get discouraged . But there’s no need to worry!

An appointment at the consulate must be booked (also online, using the Rusturn system). There are four Russian consulates in Italy , located in the following cities: Rome, Milan, Genoa, and Palermo . In particular, if you don’t speak or understand Russian, then using the online system is practically mandatory, because the Call Center —available at 895 898 95 61 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm daily— only speaks Russian . Therefore, even minimal cooperation would be very difficult if the two ends of the line don’t understand each other!

Booking also means starting to spend: the appointment costs €2.70 . Before turning on your computer—or while you’re doing so— remember to have all your most important documents with you , especially your passport, as you’ll be asked for its number. The consulate website also asks you to specify the reason for booking when requesting an appointment . Read the rules on the website carefully to book your appointment.

Also remember that if you’re traveling with someone else , a single appointment won’t be enough to get everyone’s visas ! You’ll need to book as many appointments as you are, and therefore for as many visas as you need—and have everyone’s documents handy. Also, be sure to book well in advance , especially if you plan to travel in the summer or during the Christmas holidays: these are the times when appointment dates are booked up, and only a few are available. So, to be safe, try to book an appointment at least 40 days before departure.

Another essential step for a worry-free vacation in Russia is health insurance . It must be issued by Russian insurance companies or by foreign companies that have contracts with Russian ones (such as Klass Assist or Ingosstrah ). There are no specific procedures required; insurance can also be purchased at the Consulate on the booked date , but be aware that it costs 5 euros more than you would pay to buy it independently (it costs 16 euros on its own, 21 euros at the Consulate).

The third step is the tourist voucher or invitation letter. You must fill out the form with all your personal information , including your arrival and departure dates in Russia, as well as the route you intend to take (this means that if you plan to go somewhere not listed on the voucher, you will most likely be denied entry). If you’re traveling without a travel agency—as in this case—you can get the letter from www.travelrussia.su, costing 15 euros. You’ll need to choose a hotel from the list in the city you’re arriving in, and once you’ve paid (both credit cards and PayPal are accepted), the letter will be sent to your email address with the hotel’s stamp and other necessary information, within three business days.

The final step is to present yourself at the consulate . Remember to bring a passport photo , your passport (which must expire after at least six months), your invitation voucher , and health insurance if you purchased it yourself (otherwise, as mentioned, you can purchase it directly at the consulate). The wait after the various procedures will not exceed ten days, for a cost of 35 euros . If you’re in a hurry and want to obtain the visa in three days or less, the cost increases to 70 euros.

GETTING A VISA WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE CONSULATE

We’ve seen, then, that obtaining the essential document for entry to the vast Russian nation is quite inexpensive , but involves interminable waiting times. The large number of documents required also makes the process straightforward.

This is why if you are in a hurry and have little time available – perhaps for work, study or something else – it is useful to organize the experience with agencies accredited by the Russian Consulate , which take care of acting as a sort of intermediary to obtain the document.

Be aware, however, that shortening the process also means increasing costs , which can be about double that of going to the Consulate yourself and going through the entire process described above. However, it’s worth it if you don’t have much time to deal with bureaucracy that depends on the country you’re applying for. We’ve seen that obtaining a visa through the Consulate requires an appointment, and the waiting time for this appointment can easily exceed thirty days.

By contacting agencies, you can deliver everything you need directly to them and have the guarantee of immediate (or at least much faster) access to the Consulate for your passport.

Remember, however, that no matter what procedure you go through to obtain this important document: the maximum length of stay in Russia permitted with a normal tourist visa is 30 days , no more, no less.

Here, then, is how to proceed “without going through the go” (ie the Consulate):

• Before submitting everything to the agency you are using, you must first fill out an electronic version of the VIST application form , which can be obtained from the official website of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, indicating the “visa center” where you will submit the documents.
• The Russian agency or tour operator you contact will have to issue you with the tourist voucher.
• Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages and does not expire within six months.
• The agency will require a color passport photo , measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm, and will require health insurance, which you must purchase yourself at a cost of 16 euros. It is important that this policy covers the entire period of your stay in Russia and includes all available medical and transportation services, including—obviously in the most serious cases—repatriation of the deceased. Valid policies are those issued by Russian agencies or those that have partnership agreements with them.

Remember to check that the agency you’re using is accredited by the Consulate of the city where they’re located (so if you’re using Milan, the agency must be accredited by the Russian Consulate in Milan). There are several agencies , all generally professional and punctual. The most highly rated are VHS Italy, which has offices in Rome, Milan, Genoa, and Palermo; and Italconcept, which has offices in Milan, Genoa, and Rome, but not in Palermo.

As mentioned, applying through agencies to obtain a visa costs more than double that of going through the consulate: while the self-service procedure costs 35 euros, going through an agency costs at least 70, but this varies depending on who you choose.

For example, Italconcept has an even higher price but is among the most reliable. To contact them, schedule an appointment on their website or call one of the following numbers depending on your location:

• Milan: 0289695862.
• Rome: 0645446950.
• Genoa: 0108601331.

They usually receive them immediately or at least very quickly.

By following these procedures—whether you choose to go through the Consulate or an agency or tour operator—you can enjoy your Russian experience with complete peace of mind. The Third Rome (as Moscow was called after the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire) will surprise you with its unique architecture and, more generally, its immensity, which makes it one of the largest cities in the world. St. Petersburg, on the other hand, will pamper you with its architecture created by all the finest Italian, French, and Flemish artists, whom Tsar Peter the Great (who gave his name to the city) attracted from the vast Russian Empire with the aim of making the city equal to Paris, Milan, Rome, and London.