Who ever said travel is an adventure must have been speaking about the process to obtain a visa to visit Russia.
To be fair, when you break down all the steps in the process it really isn't too difficult, it's making sure all the steps in the process are followed correctly that is the challenge.
First an invitation letter must be obtained and the cruise company I am booked with for this upcoming trip does not issue those letters. So another company, whose specialty is obtaining these letters, must be employed to do the "leg-work" to get this invitation letter on my behalf.
Once the invitation letter is issued there is an online application form that must be completed. Be prepared to delve back into your personal and business records to dig up addresses and phone numbers of past employers and educational institutions attended.
When the online application form is completed then it must be printed. Not always easy. I had to convert the application to a .PDF format before it would print, good thing I know a little about computers.
Don't forget to have 2 passport sized photos taken because they are needed for processing with the application.
As of a couple months ago, individuals can no longer submit the visa application directly to the consulate for processing. Now, as with the invitation letter, the application must be submitted to a company specializing in securing a visa to visit Russia and they then need to submit the application to a company authorized by the consulate to submit the application. Can you follow this so far? It took me a little while to process the whole application "trail".
And, when using the San Francisco consulate, the application cannot be submit more than 45 days prior to the date of arrival in Russia.
So what it all comes down to is I'll be paying a company that specializes in the visa acquisition process to handle my application and pray I receive the visa before my August departure date!
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