Russian passport renewal in US?

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

Its a website where people can rent out their apartment or a room in their apartment. I just started using it (a friend recommended it to me) and so far its been great. The way it works is: search for an apartment or room. Each listing has a profile with pictures, information and reviews (I usually try to go to those that have been reviewed the most to make sure they are legit -- and positively reviewed!). Before booking its a good idea writing the owner a message introducing yourself and asking about availability since many times they have to decide whether or not they take you (you will need a profile and can opt to cross-verify your identity with Facebook/linkedin etc.

I suggest you just look at the listings around moscow and the prices (don't focus on the area near the embassy since moving around in metro is quite easy and cheap... just make sure you have good access to metro). If it looks good give it a try!

Thanks so much! My fiance' is gonna love this! He's all for inexpensive & he's a strong proponent of the metro lol

[kefir10 3]

Thanks so much! My fiance' is gonna love this! He's all for inexpensive & he's a strong proponent of the metro lol

The Moscow metro is by far one of the most amazing in the world! Not only is it quite efficient (and cheap!), but stations are basically museums of soviet art/history. (newer stations are very nice too)

[Texasav8r 183]

Yes the Metro is amazing. Most metros in Russia are like museums and I also really enjoyed the ones in St. Petersburg and Kazan....stunning. There is an app you can download for your iPhone that has several metro maps on it and you can also touch the station you are at and where you want to go and it will show you the best route to take and how many stops. Came in quite handy in Pete and Moscow. The link for it is:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yandex.metro/id392589075?mt=8

I believe there is also one for other smart phones.

[Texasav8r 183]

We love booking.com! We only discovered it when we were planning our trip to Turkey and he spoke to a travel agent about what hotels were best. I can totally understand paying more because of the convenience. That really is close! But since its going to cost me close to $1,500 to get there myself, that's waaaay out of price range

We will look into those because that's a lot more reasonable. Its just going to cost us too much to get there in the first place to then spend so much on a hotel. Did you use an online agency or visit an actual office? One of the other members gave me the link to an online agency that he uses but it worries me a little. I mean, he uses it so I shouldn't worry too much. But I'm just a little worried about mailing off my passport and that much money.

Is that a website or something where you find hotels? Yes, we're starting to realize just how expensive!

Check out Hotels.com also. You can find the same hotel for different rates on various sites. A little time and effort will pay off in the long run. You can also (recommended) call hotels directly and ask for their best rates. They speak English and you can generally get good rates. Your fiance can call also as Russians can negotiate rates better than anyone with other Russians . Tanya always does the talking when it comes to negotiating prices..especially with Taxis..lol. It is truly amazing to watch.

$1500.00 seems a bit high for a flight to Moscow. Airlines release special fares and rates on Tuesdays so best to check them then and book between 30 and 90 days in advance if possible. Also, try to fly on Wednesday or Saturday. Fares are cheaper on those travel days. Check the airlines directly and Kayak for best deals.

I was a little nervous about sending my passport to the agency the first time also. I looked at it this way. The cost of me traveling to a Russian Embassy myself to get the visa would far exceed the cost of the agency and/or replacing it if it were lost in the mail. I always use Fedex ground or 2 day express with tracking and insure it for the cost to expedite a replacement for the passport. If it is lost, you immediately report it to the State Department and can get a new one rather quickly.

I have used the agency I linked three times with no issues. Each time, I had my passport in hand with visa, three weeks from the day I mailed it off.

The only thing I regret is not getting the 3 year visa in the first place as the cost of 3 double entry visas over the past year was far more .

Edited May 9, 2014 by Texasav8r

[Meghan&Andrey 51]

Check out Hotels.com also. You can find the same hotel for different rates on various sites. A little time and effort will pay off in the long run.

$1500.00 seems a bit high for a flight to Moscow. Airlines release special fares and rates on Tuesdays so best to check them then and book between 30 and 90 days in advance if possible. Also, try to fly on Wednesday or Saturday. Fares are cheaper on those travel days. Check the airlines directly and Kayak for best deals.

I was a little nervous about sending my passport to the agency the first time also. I looked at it this way. The cost of me traveling to a Russian Embassy myself to get the visa would far exceed the cost of the agency and/or replacing it if it were lost in the mail. I always use Fedex ground or 2 day express with tracking and insure it for the cost to expedite a replacement for the passport. If it is lost, you immediately report it to the State Department and can get a new one rather quickly.

I have used the agency I linked three times with no issues. Each time, I had my passport in hand with visa, three weeks from the day I mailed it off.

The only thing I regret is not getting the 3 year visa in the first place as the cost of 3 double entry visas over the past year was far more .

I'm actually flying to Sochi instead so I can meet his mom for the first time. Then we will take a train together to Moscow. Its out of the way and more expensive, yes. But I wanted to seize the opportunity to meet his mom & spend that extra time alone together on the train to Moscow. I will fly home from Moscow, however.

You have a valid point about tracking it. I guess it just seemed too easy to be true. I'm just amazed that its possible without having to interview.

I was looking into getting the 3 year instead of the 1 year but it said there were extra requirements. Threw me off a little but I haven't done much research since the initial time. I don't know whether I should do it ASAP or wait to closer to interview time. I don't guess a few months will make much difference in the long run of 3 years!

[Texasav8r 183]

I'm actually flying to Sochi instead so I can meet his mom for the first time. Then we will take a train together to Moscow. Its out of the way and more expensive, yes. But I wanted to seize the opportunity to meet his mom & spend that extra time alone together on the train to Moscow. I will fly home from Moscow, however.

You have a valid point about tracking it. I guess it just seemed too easy to be true. I'm just amazed that its possible without having to interview.

I was looking into getting the 3 year instead of the 1 year but it said there were extra requirements. Threw me off a little but I haven't done much research since the initial time. I don't know whether I should do it ASAP or wait to closer to interview time. I don't guess a few months will make much difference in the long run of 3 years!

Ah, you are in for a treat indeed. Your first trip to Russia and you will take a train ride. That will truly be an experience. I hope you aren't shy . From Sochi, is it 2 or 3 days? (Watch some youtube videos of Russian train adventures)

You have time before applying for the visa. It takes about 3 weeks which is plenty of time before travel arrangements. I will be applying next month for mine. The extra requirements involve finance statements (like AOS) and some additional information about your personal life which is pretty extensive in the first place. Shouldn't be much of an issue.

[Snipe 21]

its 36 hours Sochi - moscow, and 48 hours Sochi - St Petersburg

[eekee 182]

Hmm this is interesting. I guess that "There have been several instances..." means some people have just been lucky enough to get through with out problems but occasionally some did experience issues. I'm not Russian. Haven't been yet (hopefully will be for the interview then again to bring him to the US) so I'm just going off of what people have said on here. But you're right about what the consulate says. Honestly, I wouldn't risk it. But I've also seen that while you're still a Russian citizen, you can't apply for a visa to Russia. Totally confusing information. On that second post I put, it mainly is discussing calling the actual airline & seeing what their policy is. I would recommend doing this. You might fight that some airlines are more lenient for this than others. But that does require getting past security with your US passport, anyway. I'm not expert! Just sharing what I've seen/read.

I see people who have two passports all the time while getting on/off the plane. The important things to remember are 1) not letting your passport lapse while you're there 2) not losing it. Pretty basic stuff.

[Texasav8r 183]

Sorry for going Off Topic OP. FWIW, my fiance' just made a 7 hour drive to Kazan to renew her passport 3 weeks ago and was told to expect it in a month. I will update the exact amount of time it took when she receives it.

I promised to report back when she received her passport and it was on May 10th. So that was a little over 4 weeks for a international passport renewal in Russia. Just a FYI. Also, in case anyone is wondering, she had to apply for the renewal in person and then pick it up in person as well. No mailing of passports which made for a lot of driving....

[Snipe 21]

cool! thanks for reporting back!