how can i obtain an invite for a russian visa?

estreetb

does anyone know how i can obtain an invite from a russian hotel/travel agency so i can apply for a visa.

the russian embassys website says the hotel/agency must be registered with their interior ministry for foreign affairs.

is it just a matter of contacting any hotel by email and just ask for an invite or do i have to book the hotel in advance?

do i have to supply my intended itinerary to the hotel when contacting them?

thanks for any help

cailinoBAC

It's been a few years since I was last there. But you can either contact the hotel, but you might need to have a booking, or, you can use a site and pay for an invitation. I think it was something like visatorussia.com

jonnybadd

I think when I wen't we paid on a site like cailinoBAD had suggested to obtain an invite, cost about a fiver if I recall. Its been a few years back but I think I remember having problems trying to get one from the place we had booked to stay as it wasn't registered, it was just a small hostel

undo

If you are Dublin-based, Skytours on Talbot St can provide you with the required invite. No need to book anything through them, just buy the invite off them and arrange everything else yourself.

estreetb

great stuff. do you know how much it is. do i have to let them know of my itinerary

undo

It's quite pricey, €50 or so. I believe they can also take care of your travel insurance. The Russian embassy is very picky and will only accept insurance companies that are on their arbitrary list.

You do not need to tell anyone your itinerary. The need to have an invitation essentially only exists so the Russian state can earn a couple of quid on each visitor. You pay the fee, you get the document, that's it. Nobody asks for any details.

estreetb

thanks again, if i contact the hotel directly do i also have to pay for the invite

is there a list of suitable registered hotels online or can they be obtained from the embassy

is travel insurance compulsory

undo

estreetb wrote: »

if i contact the hotel directly do i also have to pay for the invite

It might be possible to get the invite from a hotel. But I would imagine only really fancy places would provide that kind of service. The invite has nothing to do with the hotel you are staying at after all or your itinerary. It is just proof that you paid a fee.

is travel insurance compulsory

What is required is health insurance but not just any one - it has to be with a company that is on the embassy's list. Every embassy makes up its own list. For example, my parents and I have the same insurance. They applied at a different embassy than I did. They were told their insurance was fine. I had to take out an extra one.

You have to accept the fact that with Russia, there is a lot bureaucracy involved. Try to think of it as pure bureaucratic hoops. It is all much easier to understand and accept then.

estreetb

I emailed the russian embassy to ask for a list of hotels/travel agencies that were registered so i could obtain a visa invite

they replied back providing the link below. maybe the mods can sticky it


The Russia Federal Agency for Tourism

estreetb

I enquired with Skytours about price of visa invite. Price is 35euro