Russian Visa for a Korean National in the UK
 

I have been trying to Assist a Korean national ( Neo Neo-Nomad ) in the UK, his problem at the moment is no Russian visa to return overland back to Korea. He has tried a UK visa agency and not had any help there, he has contacted the Korean Embassy and they have suggested just to try another agency .

Does anyone have any suggestions, ideas or experience on an agency that could help him or is it possible for him to enter another country , Scandinavia , EU , Balkan states etc for him to gain this all important visa .

Time is against him now as his UK visitors visa expires on 25th April
Thanks Mark

Mark

Has Neo got a UK only visa or does he have a Schengen visa as this might make a difference on if he can leave the UK to Europe. Has he got to apply for his Russian visa in Korea like we had to apply for ours in the UK ?

I looked at the Stantours site but they specialise in the Stans - if he could get across the Stans into Kazakhstan then he might be able to go through China or does he have the same restrictions on travel as we would have ? He would need to get through Europe into Turkey then across to Armenia into Azerbaijan then ferry to Kazakhstan then into China. But if his visa runs out on 25th April he will need to set off now !

The UK Russian consulates theoretically ONLY gives visas to UK nationals and people with some sort of residency in the UK.

If he is on a visitors visa, he is better off trying elsewhere like Poland or Latvia to get the Russian visa

Does this mean as a British resident in Portugal, I won't be able to get a Russian visa. Don't mean to hijack this thread. Just noticed Colebatch's reply. Thanks.

As a citizen of South Korea (I get confused by the real names!) he can only apply for a Tourist or Business Visa in UK if he can produce "Proof of residence in UK for the last 90 days."

Diferent conditions MIGHT apply in other countries - assuming, as Strimstrum says, he can get to them with whatever Visa(s) are required along the way after UK.

If that fails he can always apply for a Transit Visa, possibly in UK or other countries nearer the Russian border.
These are usually for 3 days as they were originally intended for people on trains that pass through bits of Russian territory even if not scheduled to stop. They are also for leaving 'airside' when changing flights on a longer air journey starting and ending outside Russia.

For road Transit Vsas you can get longer than 3 days, as he will obviously require.
Their time validity will be based on 500Km per day for the most direct route between the declared Entry and Exit points.

Check it out with the Russian Embassy's own Visa Handling Agents Russia Visa Information - UK - Home Page
These are the people who initially accept or reject the Application.

Thanks martin , His schengen visa is good for 90 days , his travel in China is the same as UK , need guides /tour and a visa lots of difficulties. I think his best bet would be as Walter and Tony have suggested go east maybe to the Stans and try for a russian transit visa there.
I would like to hear from anyone who has gained a Russian transit visa in any of the Stans.
Thanks guy's

Neo
 

Bushman_UK ,,
I've already have answered him a week ago on his EM,,, concerning in country residence rule for the visa as well as Russian embassy criteria on Korean nationals.
He either has to go as far as he can ,,,
or fly back to Korea for the Russian visa ,, or pull a string through a diplomatic channel along the way.

Any way ,, it is awfully good of you and strumm ,, to help the kid out like this.

:innocent:

Tony p
 

May be Tony can decipher this ,,
Russian migratory agency decree.
http://www.fms.gov.ru/404.php

I am not in my country
 

I am not in New Zealand. Can I apply for a Russian visa in a third country?

Visas to travel to Russia are usually issued by the Russian Embassy in the applicant’s country of nationality i.e. New Zealand nationals apply in New Zealand. But Russian visa regulations now allow foreign nationals with the right to stay in another country for longer than 90 days, to apply for a visa at the Russian Embassy in that country.
When applying for Russian visas in a third country, you need to submit with your visa application evidence of your right to stay in that country for longer than 90 days. This could be a long-term entry visa, work permit or residence permit. Present this in the original and attach a copy to the application. In countries where visas are not required e.g. the United Kingdom where New Zealand nationals have a right to stay for up to six months as a General Visitor (see www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk) take a copy of the six month entry permit stamped into your passport on arrival.

Just wish I could do more but me and Mrs Strimstrum are off to Germany on a 10 day break on Thursday so will probably miss seeing Neo off on his trip. I know Mark is busy trying to get a little trip in the UK put toghether for him.

Where I get my Russian visa in three days,, every time.
 

I mean ,, business visa invitation letter,,,


Get visa to Russia - tourist, business visa support and invitations. Russian embassy and consulate visa requirements. Visalink

Ok thats OK, i shall have a chat with him when he comes to stay with me on the 16th and see what he wants to do.

Once again thanks for all your input , well done guys

SeoulJoe (and others)

The ability to apply for a RUS Visa in a 3rd country depends on ones own Citizenship - and that comes from the level of relations between the citizenship country and RUS.

It is not a matter of where you are, but where you are from.

Looking at the Russian Embassy Visa Handling Centre in UK, compare the Proof of Residency requirement for USA and S.Korea citizens wanting to apply for a RUS Business Visa while in UK.

USA citizens
2. Proof of residence in UK for the last 90 days. One of the following documents should be submitted to confirm the same: a valid UK visa in passport or valid UK residence permit. Please note that if you do not have proof of your residence in UK for the last 90 days, you still are eligible to apply, but visa processing time will take 10 to 14 calendar days.

Republic of Korea citizens
2. Proof of residence in UK for the last 90 days. One of the following documents should be submitted to confirm the same: a valid applicant's UK visa in passport/ last three months bank statements/ utility bills with applicant's name and address/ letter from employer specifying the start date of their employment OR for students, letter from University/ College specifying the date of enrolment and course details. Rent or mortgage agreements and phone bills are not acceptable.

Note the final sentence for USA.

So an American in London can just walk in and get one, although taking a little longer.
By contrast, S.Korean cannot unless he can show proof of 90+ day Residency - otherwise he must return to S.Korea to apply for it, exactly as UK citizens have to return to UK to apply.


This is how RUS SHOULD treat applications from those citizens, wherever in the World they try to apply for a Business Visa. I highlight the word 'should' because I have heard of these rules occasionally being ignored or sidestepped in some other parts of the World.

"Anything is possible in Russia" is a well used expression!

You should be able to apply for a russian visa either in Portugal or in the UK ... as you are a UK national, and you have residency in Portugal. i.e. In each country you have criteria allowing you to be eligible to apply locally. No problem.

Problems arise if you are non UK national, with no UK residency rights, trying to apply in the UK. As a general rule, they wont accept it.

Similarly, if you are UK national passing thru Mongolia as a tourist, you are unable to apply for a Russian visa in Mongolia. You have to DHL your passport home and get someone in the UK to get it for you, then DHL your passport back.

Note ... you do not have to return, only your passport has to return (to a visa agent usually) in your home country where a visa can be applied for.

Except, in theory, most countries require that everyone, be they locals, visitors or long term residents, have their Identification Document either on their person or close by to be available for inspection.


If doing this I would advise retaining a Notarised copy of the Passport should the proverbial hit the fan while the Passport is sent away.