Multiple Entry to Russia for K-1 process

[vcpdragon 306]

Good Morning All,

Thank you all for your stories! The threads have a lot of good comments and I have found a lot of help on this site. There is one thing I haven't seen mentioned and that is how you all have gained access to Russia for visits, interview and to bring your fiancé's here to the US. I am currently planning a trip in June to visit Kseniia for 10 days. I am also planning to attend the interview as well as fly with her to the US upon approval. Luckily we have the companies here to help with the tourist visa's, but I was wondering if you all know if there is a visa I can obtain that would allow me all these visits with one visa? How did you all handle your visits? Did you just get a new tourist visa for each one?

Thank You,

Matt

[gregcrs2 1,778]

Get a multiple entry business visa. 

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

That's a good question pertaining to Russia.

 

In my personal experience from working internationally, it is country dependant. If you get a visa for tourism/visiting, generally it is a one time entry, after that you need a new one (unless it is noted as multiple entry or like a work visa); but work visas and such require a lot of other paperwork usually (letter from employers, translations, embassy stamps from their US locations, ect..)

 

http://waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/Types.html This seems to briefly explain the visa types a bit.

 

 

[vcpdragon 306]

I knew you all would have an answer! Thank You ... I'll give it a shot

[Алекс и Эрин 105]

I did the 3-year mulitiple entry private visa.  The private visa allows me to stay with my husband as opposed to staying in a hotel.  I don't know what your situation with your SO is, but if you wanted to stay with them at their own place, then the private would be best.  Either or, I would highly suggest the 3-year multiple entry.  It is a little more paperwork than a single entry, but nothing too hard and totally worth it if you plan or want to plan multiple visits.

[Waffle123 36]

You can get a tourist 'private stay' visa for 3 years, it allows multiple entries.

We did this for my husband, it is very easy and you do not need to pay a company to do it for you!

[tanderson64 201]

When you apply for a visa to Russia for first time you will need a tourist letter for visit. I booked my hotel in Moscow for my stay, and they emailed me the paperwork for my visit.  When you apply for visa, get the 3 year visa, and after your first visit, you no longer need the letter.

 

Here is thread where I explain the process: 

 

BTW, when you enter Russia, getting through customs is easy.  They didn't ask me anything or check anything.  They will give you a piece of paper that you need to keep with you in your passport/visa.  And make sure you have your passport with you at all times.

[Michael and Ganna 104]

This may help

http://www.russianembassy.net/rusvisa.html

[Michael and Ganna 104]

I just entered the Russian military control area of Moldova. They asked why I was entering...To visit relatives. How to pronounce my name.

They put a sticky note in my passport to give OVIR....It was a temporary pass good for 10 hours. Once at my destination, my uncle made a few calls and we were off to OVIR a short walk away. He used his local papers and my passport to register me at his home.....Very easy.

About three days into my stay, the government visited my uncles house to do a "bed check" on me. No stamps were placed in my passport, it was all done on the sticky note, which the boarder guards collected when I left

[tanderson64 201]

12 hours ago, Michael and Ganna said:

I just entered the Russian military control area of Moldova. They asked why I was entering...To visit relatives. How to pronounce my name.

They put a sticky note in my passport to give OVIR....It was a temporary pass good for 10 hours. Once at my destination, my uncle made a few calls and we were off to OVIR a short walk away. He used his local papers and my passport to register me at his home.....Very easy.

About three days into my stay, the government visited my uncles house to do a "bed check" on me. No stamps were placed in my passport, it was all done on the sticky note, which the boarder guards collected when I left

That must have been an interesting trip.  You must have been a little nervous?

If you are going to major cities like Moscow or St. Pete's, you don't have to go through this.  No one ever asked me any questions.