Russian visa in Belarus?

[xebec 195]

Anyone here tried to get a Russian visa while in Belarus (for USC)? My wife and I need to cross the border for a day or two to get her original birth certificate.

[eekee 182]

What I've heard from people who are USCs who have recently gotten Russian visas in Europe is that it'll take a minimum of 10 days and your best bets are Estonia, Finland, Italy, Ukraine, and London. None of these are guaranteed since it's techinically against the rules for USCs to get Russian visas outside of the US. I've never heard of someone doing it in Belarus, and my guess is that it wouldn't be easy since US/Belarusian relations aren't so hot. It might be better if your wife just goes to Russia by herself and you wait for her in Belarus.

Edited May 7, 2012 by eekee

[xebec 195]

Thanks for the reply eekee- this squares with what I have heard already. I guess we can try, and see what happens, but I think you are probably right.....

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Thanks for the reply eekee- this squares with what I have heard already. I guess we can try, and see what happens, but I think you are probably right.....

It's called a transit visa. You need to talk to the OVIR's office about that.

[eekee 182]

It's called a transit visa. You need to talk to the OVIR's office about that.

How is it a transit visa? He's not planning on going through Russia to get to his final destination. Even if it's for a day or two it doesn't make a difference, as far as I know.

Edited May 9, 2012 by eekee

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

How is it a transit visa? He's not planning on going through Russia to get to his final destination. Even if it's for a day or two it doesn't make a difference, as far as I know.

I was told I needed a transit visa to leave Belarus and come back. They might have been wrong (Russian cops in Smolensk) but that's what they called it.

[eekee 182]

I was told I needed a transit visa to leave Belarus and come back. They might have been wrong (Russian cops in Smolensk) but that's what they called it.

Did you do it? http://www.russianvisa.org/transitvisa.html I suppose it could be worth a shot, BUT I would be entirely wary of doing anything in Belarus regarding passports and visas with the current political state and wouldn't want to give anyone any possible chance to say that I was not within the letter of the law, and Belarus > Russia > Belarus isn't exactly what a transit visa is for. Also, like I said, from what I've heard from others, same day visas aren't possible anymore.

[cluelessinny 2]

belarus has a multi entry visa, russian visa is listed on their embassy websites

[cluelessinny 2]

http://usa.mfa.gov.by/eng/consular/consulate/visa_requirements/

muli entries are listed second

[cluelessinny 2]

http://www.ruscon.org/visa_dep_ENG.html

[eekee 182]

http://usa.mfa.gov.by/eng/consular/consulate/visa_requirements/

muli entries are listed second

http://www.ruscon.org/visa_dep_ENG.html

Did Belarus relocate to Manhattan and no one told me about it? Bummer city.

[cluelessinny 2]

Did Belarus relocate to Manhattan and no one told me about it? Bummer city.

yeah i know it helps to read the post before i comment

damn jetlag

[eekee 182]

yeah i know it helps to read the post before i comment

damn jetlag

[Brad and Vika 129]

It used to be possible, but the last time I looked into it was in Minsk, probably six or seven years ago. Things could be totally different now. I was also on a business visa, and that might make a difference. I was told that it would take ten days after my application, and would cost the same as applying from America. I couldn't apply until my residency was registered though, and there just wasn't time to do a decent trip and still catch my plane home from Minsk. I never had more than three weeks total.

Edited to ask if your wife has called the Russian Embassy. That might be the easiest way to find out.

Edited May 23, 2012 by Brad and Vika