| Many people are planning to travel to Russia this | | | | two money orders for $150 and $30. The first is the |
| summer and will need a tourist visa. Russia requires | | | | price of tourist visa itself and the latter is the price for |
| tourist visas from American travelers just like the US | | | | FedEx service. Mail this package to the nearest |
| requires Russians to have American visas. So how do | | | | Russian Consulate (New York, San Francisco or |
| you get a Russian visa? How much does it cost and | | | | Washington DC) and wait for 2 weeks. |
| how long does it take to get one? | | | | The good news is that whenever you apply for a |
| Getting a visa to Russia is not so difficult and is not too | | | | Russian visa, you will almost certainly get it. It is very |
| expensive. The easiest way is to contact one of | | | | rare that Americans are denied Russian tourist visas, |
| Russian visa agencies which will take your passport, | | | | especially if you are going to Russia for the first time. It |
| one photo and $200 or so and get you a Russian visa | | | | is much more difficult for Russian to get tourist visas to |
| within 2 weeks. If you would like to save $30 you can | | | | America. |
| apply on your own, but I would not recommend it. Why | | | | Remember, its best to start a visa process at least 2 |
| waste your nerves and time for saving just few | | | | months before your departure date, to ensure that if |
| bucks? | | | | you have forgotten something, you can resubmit your |
| However, if you want to do it on your own (for | | | | application. Also, don't forget that if you are getting a |
| whatever reason), here is a quick guide to how to | | | | Russian visa on your own, you should ask your hotel |
| apply for a Russian visa by yourself. Get your visa | | | | or a host in Russia to prepare arrival registration. You |
| application package assembled. It should include: your | | | | don't want to be arrested by police for violation of visa |
| passport, one passport size photo, visa invitation (you | | | | rules and trust me, the police will be able to see you in |
| can purchase one for $30 online), visa application, and | | | | the crowd, unless you leave your sneakers at home. |