[2Birds_1Stone]

Hey guys, i am making my first trip to russia. I have a friend in moscow who can show me around and I’ll pipeline heavy before i head out but I’m getting conflicting info on visa fees.

I reached out to a travel agency and they stated the visa fees by the russian gov are $599? Then i look at other sites and the fees are $211? Which one is correct? Can anyone provide more insight into the process. I really want to go and get my russian flag on russian soil. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers!

[Brillynt]

(04-16-2019 07:10 AM)2Birds_1Stone Wrote:  

Hey guys, i am making my first trip to russia. I have a friend in moscow who can show me around and I’ll pipeline heavy before i head out but I’m getting conflicting info on visa fees.

I reached out to a travel agency and they stated the visa fees by the russian gov are $599? Then i look at other sites and the fees are $211? Which one is correct? Can anyone provide more insight into the process. I really want to go and get my russian flag on russian soil. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers!

My friends have used https://www.gotorussia.com/visa/russian/select

[Seth_Rose]

The difference in prices here is because you're quoting different things. There is the cost of the visa and then the cost of hiring an agency to do it. What is likely happening is that the agency is charging you a few hundred just to do the processing.

GotoRussia cited above seems like a good, relatively cheap option.

[simpleminded]

If you are a US citizen applying in the US, you don't need to pay an expensive agency. The Russian government uses Invisa logistics to handle their visa applications in bulk. It is only like $35 on top of the normal Russian visa costs and it saves you a trip to the embassy. It is like $85 extra if you have to do it by mail. You can save this fee and go in person to their offices NYC, SF, DC, or Houston. I have done it by mail and in person in NYC.

Here is their website: https://ils-usa.com/

Here is a step by step video on how to get the visa and the invitation letter:
I recommend getting the 3 year multiple entry visa. I originally got the one year single entry visa and I regretted it because I ended up going back to Russia so I had to get another visa.

https://youtu.be/094y3bvwHMo