Travel to Russia

[mendeleev 68]

So, here's the update on my wife's travel from Chicago to Novosibirsk.  Not much to report, really.  The flights were on time.  Those who didn't read my posts above -- I drove her to Chicago where she flew Emirates to Dubai, stayed overnight, and then flew FlyDubai to Novosibirsk.  The Chicago Dubai flight was fine.  She even slept a bit which often she doesn't on overnight flights.  She flew economy.  The arrival terminal wax luxurious -- better quality than she's seen in any airport anywhere.  We'd paid for greeters to meet her at Dubai, help her with bags (two large bags, just less than 20 kg each, with lots of presents for family and friends), navigate passport control, and catch the taxi to the hotel.  We also prepaid the taxi to the hotel which was punctual and efficient.  She had no AED (local currency) but gave small tips in dollars.  The hotel was very nice -- it was Dubai -- and surprisingly economical outbound.  The same place is more expensive when she returns in November.  The hotel arranged her taxi back to the airport since the hotel shuttle didn't operate early enough.  Again, efficient service was provided.  FlyDubai is definitely a budget airline that, to hear her tell the story, makes Southwest or JetBlue luxurious.  The departure terminal was quite different, in not good ways, from the arrival terminal.  But FlyDubai flew on time and didn't lose her luggage which is the main point.  Passport control in Novosibirsk was easy and quick.  The guard in Novosibirsk was a bit puzzled that she'd been out of the country so long.  She explained that she married a foreigner and lives abroad.  "You are lucky!"  Stamp and enter.

 

Since arrival, I wired funds to her.  No hassle really, although the first time I did it I added an extra digit to the Rosbank account number.  (Pay attention to the details -- like I learned here 15 years ago but forgot at that moment!). Rosbank kicked the funds back to me three working days later, so my only loss to teach me the lesson was the $15 wire transfer fee.  She entered Russia with some real paper dollars for emergency use and it is my hope she'll return with them.

 

We will see in November whether her return path is as easy.  Fingers crossed.

 

[mendeleev 68]

Now time for me to ask a question.  It looks to me like GotoRussia, a travel agency in Atlanta I used to use, has suspended operations.  At least, their phone seems not to work.  Does anyone know whether this is true?  Does anyone around here have other agencies they've used to support getting invitations and visas to Russia?

[Dashinka 24,448]

3 hours ago, mendeleev said:

Now time for me to ask a question.  It looks to me like GotoRussia, a travel agency in Atlanta I used to use, has suspended operations.  At least, their phone seems not to work.  Does anyone know whether this is true?  Does anyone around here have other agencies they've used to support getting invitations and visas to Russia?

I used International Express Services for my multi-entry visa back in January.  They are located in Michigan, but their website is still showing Russian visa services.

[To_the_moon 94]

16 hours ago, mendeleev said:

Now time for me to ask a question.  It looks to me like GotoRussia, a travel agency in Atlanta I used to use, has suspended operations.  At least, their phone seems not to work.  Does anyone know whether this is true?  Does anyone around here have other agencies they've used to support getting invitations and visas to Russia?

I used RussianAgency. They have several offices across the U.S. but I never had to come in person. Sent all of my docs by mail and received my passport back within a month. 

[millefleur 5,046]

22 hours ago, mendeleev said:

Does anyone around here have other agencies they've used to support getting invitations and visas to Russia?

I used Russian Visa Centre in Washington, D.C. I had no issues obtaining a 3 year private visa.

 

https://russia-visacentre.com/en/visa/usa/russia