On why I dislike Russian bureaucracy

squarejawhero · 10-17-2005, 01:33 AM

Let this be a warning to you all!

Quote:

TOURIST VISA

To get a Tourist Visa to Russia you should submit the following paperwork to the Consulate:

1. A completed visa application form obtainable (free of charge) from the Consulate or from any travel agencies.

2. A valid original 10-year passport with at least one blank page.

3. One recent passport size photo stapled twice to the upper-right corner of the application form.

4. An original Tourist Voucher from a British (Russian) travel agency stamped and signed by an authorized person.

5. A standard Tourist Confirmation (in Russian language) of acceptance from the authorized Russian travel agency or a hotel, registered with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The confirmation must contain the agency’s reference number and registration number.

6. A standard covering letter from your travel agency in the UK (for the tourist agents only).

PRIVATE VISA

(VISITS TO RELATIVES OR FRIENDS)

If you are going to visit Russia to stay with your relatives or friends you should firstly obtain an official Invitation (Приглашение) and only then apply for a Private visa. We accept only standard original Invitation issued by the Ministry of Interior (MI) of the Russian Federation. To obtain such an invitation your relatives or friends will need to present a photocopy of your passport and personal data to the special local branch of the MI (ОВИР) in Russia. Having received this invitation you should apply to the Consulate submitting the following paperwork:

1. A completed visa application form obtainable (free of charge) from the Consulate or from any travel agency. A valid original 10-year passport with at least one blank page.

2. One recent passport size photo stapled twice to the upper-right corner of the application form.

3. The Invitation ( original only).

Tobbe · 10-17-2005, 02:01 AM

Sounds yeasy doesn´t it??

squarejawhero · 10-17-2005, 02:06 AM

You'd think.

saucyminx · 10-17-2005, 02:13 AM

Welcome to Russia, baby!

squarejawhero · 10-17-2005, 02:18 AM

I'm not even there yet! *sobs*

Wormsie · 10-17-2005, 02:40 AM

Have you considered bribery?

omloflump · 10-17-2005, 02:43 AM

I hate all bureaucracy. The only good thing that it ever did was spawn Douglas Adams' second text-based game.

squarejawhero · 10-17-2005, 02:46 AM

This is all just to visit Russia as a tourist.

It gets more complicated beyond this though...

Lucien21 · 10-17-2005, 04:13 AM

They don't call it "red" tape for nothing.

Pay them in Levi's at the airport or in dollars.

Lucien21 · 10-17-2005, 04:20 AM

Also foreign office advice on travel isn't that great on safety.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?...=1013618386379

Did you fill out the Migration card yet. Quite difficult as it's in Russian. Same idea when visiting the US you have to fill in 2 customs forms on the plane over.

Migration Card =

squarejawhero · 10-17-2005, 04:37 AM

That's for the plane.

Before I even GET to that point I need to get an invite, a voucher and fill in a visa application from the consulate, book an appointment, go in and get it done, wait 7 days, board the plane, fill in the migration docs and register my visa within three days of arrival.

Ninth · 10-17-2005, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squarejawhero

That's for the plane.

Before I even GET to that point I need to get an invite, a voucher and fill in a visa application from the consulate, book an appointment, go in and get it done, wait 7 days, board the plane, fill in the migration docs and register my visa within three days of arrival.

It's a good thing that Mira is a cutie, then.

By the way, how long are you staying? Usually Visas are for long stays (more than a month or so).

squarejawhero · 10-17-2005, 04:58 AM

Mira's not just a cutie, she's brilliant!

She's been such a sweetheart about all this... it's not easy to get all this stuff sorted and she's helping out as much as she can. More than I'd expect of anyone - I really owe her big-style when I get there!

In Russia you require a Visa for anything over 3 days. Because of the way I'm going there (via hostels) it's hard for me to get any of this sorted easily. I'm only going for 14 days but apparently its gotta be done.

Lucien21 · 10-17-2005, 05:05 AM

Once they find out your dodgy past it's off to Syberia for you.

Where my red phone to the Kremlin.

squarejawhero · 10-17-2005, 05:27 AM

Do I have to get all Jason Bourne on your ass? I'm deadly with a pencil, y'know!

*sharpens a 2B*

Sage · 10-17-2005, 05:46 AM

I sincerely hope this sort of BS isn't necessary when I visit the UK.

ScottMate

Lucien21 · 10-17-2005, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squarejawhero

Do I have to get all Jason Bourne on your ass? I'm deadly with a pencil, y'know!

*sharpens a 2B*

On a completely different subject.

Did you watch the programme on BBC2 the other night about animation.

They talked to this Storyboard guy (Who did "O" Brother where art thou), Daniel Clowes, talked about manga and spoke about the guy behind Les Triplettes de Belleville.

Fascinating although he kept calling the artists "Draghtsmen"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/secretofdrawing/

Lucien21 · 10-17-2005, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrift Store Scott

I sincerely hope this sort of BS isn't necessary when I visit the UK.

ScottMate

Nah we let anyone in.

Cup of tea and a body cavity search. Just the normal routine.

Sage · 10-17-2005, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucien21

Nah we let anyone in.

Cup of tea and a body cavity search. Just the normal routine.

Do I at least get a good snog afterwards if I don't flinch?

ScottMate

Lucien21 · 10-17-2005, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrift Store Scott

Do I at least get a good snog afterwards if I don't flinch?

ScottMate

Depends if SJH is still in the country.

10-17-2005, 02:01 AM	#2
Tobbe Living with my love Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 1,453	Sounds yeasy doesn´t it?? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ ''My names George. It means... Well, its just a name'' George Stobbart-Broken Sword

10-17-2005, 02:06 AM	#3
squarejawhero Epinionated. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,841	You'd think. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Starter of Thread Must Die.

10-17-2005, 02:13 AM	#4
saucyminx Schoolgirl From Hell Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,930	Welcome to Russia, baby! Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ "My life is my longest journey I wish to fulfill with my dreams..." "Or is it I who has penetrated you?"

10-17-2005, 02:18 AM	#5
squarejawhero Epinionated. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,841	I'm not even there yet! sobs Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Starter of Thread Must Die.

10-17-2005, 02:40 AM	#6
Wormsie Doctor Watson Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 4,736	Have you considered bribery? Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Don't worry, I'm a doctor.

10-17-2005, 02:43 AM	#7
omloflump The Impostor Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ? Posts: 640	I hate all bureaucracy. The only good thing that it ever did was spawn Douglas Adams' second text-based game. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ The Times

10-17-2005, 02:46 AM	#8
squarejawhero Epinionated. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,841	This is all just to visit Russia as a tourist. It gets more complicated beyond this though... Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Starter of Thread Must Die.

10-17-2005, 04:13 AM	#9
Lucien21 Psychonaut Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,114	They don't call it "red" tape for nothing. Pay them in Levi's at the airport or in dollars. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

10-17-2005, 04:20 AM	#10
Lucien21 Psychonaut Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,114	Also foreign office advice on travel isn't that great on safety. http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?...=1013618386379 Did you fill out the Migration card yet. Quite difficult as it's in Russian. Same idea when visiting the US you have to fill in 2 customs forms on the plane over. Migration Card = Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

10-17-2005, 04:37 AM	#11
squarejawhero Epinionated. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,841	That's for the plane. Before I even GET to that point I need to get an invite, a voucher and fill in a visa application from the consulate, book an appointment, go in and get it done, wait 7 days, board the plane, fill in the migration docs and register my visa within three days of arrival. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Starter of Thread Must Die.

10-17-2005, 04:58 AM	#13
squarejawhero Epinionated. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,841	Mira's not just a cutie, she's brilliant! She's been such a sweetheart about all this... it's not easy to get all this stuff sorted and she's helping out as much as she can. More than I'd expect of anyone - I really owe her big-style when I get there! In Russia you require a Visa for anything over 3 days. Because of the way I'm going there (via hostels) it's hard for me to get any of this sorted easily. I'm only going for 14 days but apparently its gotta be done. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Starter of Thread Must Die.

10-17-2005, 05:05 AM	#14
Lucien21 Psychonaut Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 5,114	Once they find out your dodgy past it's off to Syberia for you. Where my red phone to the Kremlin. Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ I'm not insane, my mother had me tested!

10-17-2005, 05:27 AM	#15
squarejawhero Epinionated. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 5,841	Do I have to get all Jason Bourne on your ass? I'm deadly with a pencil, y'know! sharpens a 2B Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Starter of Thread Must Die.

10-17-2005, 05:46 AM	#16
Sage Bad Influence Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Birmingham, Alabama USA Posts: 5,547	I sincerely hope this sort of BS isn't necessary when I visit the UK. ScottMate Share Share this post on Twitter __________________ Ignorance is bliss, denial is divine, and willful ignorance is a religious experience. Share the love. <3

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