Documents for Russia

PaulieG

Hi,
Myself and my wife are planning a trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg in August and I was wondering if anyone on here has been to Russia recently. I know we need to fill out visa application forms which are available to print online. Do we send our actual passports in the post with the application or are photocopies of the main pages acceptable? Also what other documents do they require?
We would really appreciate any help. I've also just read that it's not advisable to book flights until your visa application has been granted but you have to include confirmation from the hotels you've booked in Russia in the application. Is this true? Quite a lot of conflicting advise online. Would love to hear from anyone who's been. Thanks.

cdeb

The visa application is on the embassy website. Yes, you need to send your passport in as they have to insert the visa! You'll also need a letter of invitation - your hotel will give you one - and a postal order for the fee.

The application is straightforward and I found the embassy very helpful.

MRG77

I was also asked for proof of travel insurance when I applied in person at the embassy in Dublin.