Business Visa Question For The Uneasy.....

[CornellGuy]

Hello,
   I'm in a bit of a pickle and would like to ask the advice of the more experienced travellers.  I'm leaving for Moscow in a few days, and it seems the visa company who arranged my business visa is blowing me off.  Is it allowed for another visa company to register my visa, instead of the original company issuing the invitation?  Or am I destined to be stopped and "fined" everywhere I go? (I was stopped a lot on my last trip)  Any solutions and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[CornellGuy]

... in response to Business Visa Question For The Uneasy......, posted by CornellGuy on Jun 4, 2002

I would like to thank everyone for their help and advice on my new situation.  Especially to RW; I checked with several Russians and visa companies, and they said to pay for one night's accomodations at a hotel.  So that is what I did.
  I will decline to name the company for now, as I am still hoping I'm just being overly paranoid and this is a case of simple carelessness on the company's part.  I do think they're stiffing me.... but I could be wrong and prefer to wait and see if they will come through when I arrive there.  I'd hate to accuse someone falsely.  I'm certainly not pleased I am forced to go through the extra stress and inconvenience, but I'm happy that I now have a way to rectify my situation!  I'll post when I return.  

[juio99]

... in response to Re: Business Visa Question For The Uneas..., posted by CornellGuy on Jun 5, 2002

I am still somewhat confused here because I thought the Business visa registration procedure was entirely different from tourist visa registration procedure.  I know tourist visa can be registered at hotel, but I thought business visa could NOT be registered at hotel.

OK, now others are saying that business visa can be registered at hotel.  If that is the case, then you do not have to pay to stay at the hotel to get that done.  I think you mentioned you were staying somewhere else, so that would be paying double for a room for one night.

When I was in Russia I stayed at an apartment.  The man who I arranged to pick me up at airport took my visa to a hotel himself and had it registered for $10.  I didn't even go to the hotel.

JR

[BrianN]

... in response to Re: Business Visa Question For The Uneas..., posted by CornellGuy on Jun 5, 2002

I know just what you're talking about in the paranoid dept.

After I finally arrived in Novosibirsk, I only had one day to get my visa registered to make the 3 day deadline.  Lena had done some legwork for me a few days in advance, and we went to the central hotel in novosibirsk... in which, I paid $20 for a room and get my visa registered - (I had no intention on staying there).

Hmmm.. ok, well this btch is checking out my papers and starts asking stupid questions about my itenerary, is it registered with the russian government, am I supposed to be in Novosibirsk, and why am I so far from Moscow etc.  Lena doesn't understand and then I start raising hell like the idiot american I am, (because I know this freaking hitler woman is getting her rocks off just playing wanna-be government cop), and Lena's asking me why I raised my voice...

It was because I'd read this board and a few others for the last year and I know better.  It's just a stupid game imo.  I guess the russians figure that at least they can get a day of business for their old hotels.  I mean, who checks this crap anyway?  So the cop asks me to check my papers and he sees that I'm registered at the central hotel.  What good is that?  I don't think it's any kind of real security, but they did get their 20 bucks for a 20 square foot room, unused.  (Well, we did at least GO to the room, and Lena says... oh wow, I can use the telephone!  haha most expensive local phone call ever made I think).

I never got bothered by any of the police, matter of fact, I stopped a pair of Novosibirsk's finest on the street, had them check my passport JUST TO MAKE SURE, and then I took a picture with these two dudes.  

Funny thing, they were more interested in taking a picture with me than my visa...  I love that place.

[RW]

... in response to Business Visa Question For The Uneasy......, posted by CornellGuy on Jun 4, 2002

Just stay at the hotel on a first night and then move to your apartment the next day. That will save you a lot of hassle. Hotel is supposed to stamp you passport when you check-in and that would be sufficient.

Russian Wife

[juio99]

... in response to Re: Business Visa Question For The Uneas..., posted by RW on Jun 5, 2002

He has a Business Visa.

[RW]

... in response to RW are you sure, posted by juio99 on Jun 5, 2002

Yes, but the company who invited him is not going to register visa. It would be even much harder to explain to OVIR why one company invited and different one is trying to register. I had the same situation with american guy visiting Russia and XYZ company claimed that they will register with no problem, but when it came to the point of "walking the talk", they were faced with the same problem as they were not the one who invited. The recommendation was - stay at the hotel or pay for one-night stay there to get visa stamped. At least it is better to do it up-front and comply with three-days requirements, than pay fees on the late registration.

[juio99]

... in response to Business Visa Question For The Uneasy......, posted by CornellGuy on Jun 4, 2002

I don't know the answer to your question, but I would like to know how you got in this situation because I may try the business visa next time.  How are they 'blowing you off.'

And what is this about getting stopped several times on your last trip.  I have been to Russia twice and have never been stopped anywhere.  Please elaborate.

JR

[CornellGuy]

... in response to Tell us a bit more, posted by juio99 on Jun 4, 2002

Hello JR,
  After 2 months, my company was unable to find me a Moscow apartment for under $100/night, so I did it myself and easily found accomodations and airport car service.  Now because I'm not using their company for accomodations and airport car service, they have refused to answer my emails for the last 3 weeks.  Am I right to feel "blown off"?  This may be an honest mistake; maybe they've been busy and will take care of this on Sunday.  It looks like I'll just rent a cheap hotel room and get my visa registered that way.
  About getting stopped several times.  I'm Asian-American and dress rather expensively, so it's understandable that Russian police stop me for legit security concerns or hustling for bribes.  That's Russia!  But with an unregistered visa, I can only imagine the extra headaches.  The odd thing is the St. Petersburg police never bothered me, while the Moscow police stopped me often.  Go figure! *smile*

[juio99]

... in response to Re: Tell us a bit more, posted by CornellGuy on Jun 5, 2002

Thanks for the info.  Yes, you are justified in feeling as you do.  Now, please tell us the name of the company you used so we will know who and what to be cautious of.

And, I don't think you can register your business visa with a hotel.  As I understand it, these (business visa) must follow a different procedure.

The people at www.gotorussia.net (Alex) and
www.go-russia.com (Andrei) seem to be the experts at this.  I hope they aren't the ones you used.  Please tell us if they are.  If so, a lot of us on RWL can raise a big fuss and I think they will rectify the situation for you; hopefully in time.

JR

[ChrisB]

... in response to Business Visa Question For The Uneasy......, posted by CornellGuy on Jun 4, 2002

You can also look into registering at an OVIR office. I believe that's the name. I remember reading they are the local passport office for each city.

You may also write the fine people at www.gotorussia.net, they have an office in Moscow and here in Atlanta. They would prolly register it for you.

I used them because they were local and had a nice price for a 90day business visa @ $205.

Don't forget there's a .NET on the address, if you use com you'll get some strange list of links......OH Wait....

Hey, they seem to have bought the .com address.

Good luck

Chris

[Apk1]

... in response to Re: Business Visa Question For The Uneas..., posted by ChrisB on Jun 4, 2002

The OVIR office will "not" stamp your passport unless you have a "Private" invitation, I know because I tried..a private invitation will allow you to stay in a girls home but requires a background check through the police and can take easliy a month to get this invitaion....

A business visa "must" be stamped by the company that invites you.

[ChrisB]

... in response to Re: Re: Business Visa Question For The U..., posted by Apk1 on Jun 4, 2002

I had a 90 day business visa and the hotel, where I stayed for a couple of days, registered it for free. No one else touched it.

The GoToRussia.com people will register you for a small fee. I believe they have an office in the airport in Moscow.

[JR]

... in response to Business Visa Question For The Uneasy......, posted by CornellGuy on Jun 4, 2002

You can have any hotel do it for you. They will charge you for a night. Find a cheap one )