russian visa

Hi there! i wondered if anyone would be able to help me? I was wondering the best way to get a Russian visa. I ve checked out a few websites that have required sending your passport away (as i do not live near a russian consulate). Does anyone know how to obtain a Russian visa without sending my original passport? Thanks!

Hi smilinv,

I'm quite certain you are going to have to send your original passport in. They need it because the affix the visa inside your passport. You can either work directly with the Russian consulate or embassy in your country, or you can hire a company who deals with the embassy or consulate for you.

I hired a company to get my Russian Visa for me. The upside of getting a company to do it, many will act as your sponsor in Russia. At least when I went (in 2003) to get a business visa (which is 3 months because I wanted to stay longer than the tourist visa) you needed a sponsor in Russia. Thus the company was a necessity. That's how I understood the process anyway. Hopefully someone can jump in if I am wrong.

Good luck.

P.S. make sure, if you do send your passport to a company, that the company has a positive reputation.